Page 35 of Waiting for You (Balsam Cliffs #3)

It’s six in the morning. Eve is still sleeping in my bed and I’m at her cabin to grab all her shit. I’ve got totes, and Wyatt is here to help me. I didn’t even have to threaten a tittie twister like when we were kids. He just said he was happy for me and let Eve out of her lease.

“Are you sure she’d want us going through her stuff like this?”

“Wy. I wake up buried balls deep in her pussy some mornings. I think we’re past the don’t go through my things phase.”

“I mean, I didn’t need that visual first thing in the morning.” He collects one row of her closet and places a trash bag over the hangers, laying it on the bed.

“Don’t question romantic gestures.” I flick his head.

“You know, if you’re going to be mean to me I’m leaving.” He stares at me.

“Mean to you? Who are you?” I place the back of my hand to his forehead. He’s usually the one doling out the shit, but now he thinks I’m being mean?

“Shit. Sorry. I had a bad night. Tiff was at Rebels and I was there with a date. I’m so tired of trying to outrun this playboy rep I have.

I want what you guys are finding. When do I get my girl?

” He tosses a whole bathroom drawer into a box and I wince hoping she doesn’t have anything breakable in there.

“Sorry man, I wish Tiff would get the fucking hint. You really aren’t a playboy. You just choose all the wrong women. Women with baggage. You need to steer clear of those girls.” I reach into the shower, grabbing all the bottles and placing them in the box that Wyatt has.

“You’re one to talk. Look at all your baggage.”

“That’s different. We loved each other, still do and never stopped. You need to find a girl who’s going to appreciate you for who you are. And love all the parts of you and not just your dick for a vacation fling.” Since when do we get so sappy? First Coop, now him.

“But they’re so fun when they just want my dick.” He laughs and I glare at him. “Okay, okay, I hear you. I think I need to give up women until I can find the one I want to spend my life with.”

“A born again virgin? That’s the solution?” The mere thought of Wyatt being a virgin again makes me laugh as I lug the box I was filling down the stairs.

“Okay, maybe, I just need to go to Portland to find my flings. You know, not shit where I eat and all. Avoid any future Tiff situations.” He follows behind me with the clothes from the closet.

“Probably a wise decision.” I slap him on the shoulder.

We finish packing her cabin in about thirty minutes. Thirty minutes of talking football instead of girls. Something I’m much more equipped to give advice on.

I wave goodbye to him as we load the last of Evelyn’s stuff into the truck and I head off back home. It’s barely eight in the morning. So I stop by Emerald Roasters to get her coffee and a breakfast sandwich first.

“Well if it isn’t my favorite Keaton.” Esther gushes when I walk in.

“Now Esther, I’ve heard that same line used with all my brothers.”

“Well. It’s not my fault you all saunter in here looking how you look. Whichever one of you is providing the view is my favorite.” She’s fucking shameless. I bet Franklin has his hands full still to this day. “Now what can I do ya for?”

“Can I get Eve’s breakfast usual and mine?”

“You mean your usual of four of whatever Violet sent?” She raises a brow.

“You know it.” I wink for good measure.

“I don’t know how the hell you boys eat so much of her bakin’ and still have the abs you do. It’s not fair, but also the Lord’s work. Guess I can’t argue with the big man. If he wants me to see all his glory every day…” She continues mumbling to herself as she fills up a bag full of goodies.

And I refrain from telling her how much cardio I get with a certain sleeping beauty in my bed. Our bed.

Esther brings me my bag and goes back to make coffees. “Where is my girl today?”

“Still in bed. I wanted to surprise her.”

“You surprisin’ her with a whole house?” She nods out the window to my truck.

“Kind of. She finally agreed to move in with me. So I took the liberty of packin’ her stuff up and moving it in so she doesn’t have to worry about a thing.”

“You little romantic.” She hands me the two coffees and I wave goodbye to her and Franklin.

Idly, I have the thought that Eve might be mad that I just ended her lease with Wyatt less than twelve hours after she agreed to live with me, but it’s too late now. At least Wy would always let her move back in if he hasn’t rented it.

Quietly opening the door, I slip into the house in case Eve is still sleeping. But instead of getting to sneak up the stairs and strip down to wake her up properly, she’s standing in the kitchen. Her ass sticks out from between the fridge doors, standing on her tiptoes looking for something.

“Ugh. I’m so fucking hungry,” she mutters to herself.

“Good thing I brought you breakfast and coffee,” I say.

The bottles on the fridge door jingle as they hit each other when she slams the door closed. “Fucking hell!” She whips around. “Are you trying to kill me? Jesus, I think I just lost five years of my life.”

“I brought pastry?” I hold the bag up with her coffee cup. “Oh, and I moved all your stuff out of the cabin. It’s in my truck.”

She stops reaching for the bag and her arms drop to her side. “You did what?”

Now I freeze. “Um… Moved all your stuff out?” Her jaw drops to the floor. “Shit, did I mess up? Did I do the wrong thing?”

“I just told you last night. I didn’t even get to call Wyatt. I need to give him thirty days. I—”

Placing the items down on the entryway table, I step toward her. “Peach, I’ve got it handled. Wyatt helped me move you out. He’s happy for us. But if I overstepped, I can move it all back in.”

“No. No. I just… no one’s ever simply handled things like this for me. I’m the handler.” She launches herself at me and I catch her, wrapping her legs around my waist. “Thank you so much. And you brought me breakfast!”

“Oh, thank God. I thought you were mad at me.” Grabbing the food and coffee I shift her to one side and carry her over to the kitchen counter.

Digging into the bag she pulls out a donut for herself, then reaches back in to get one for me.

“You know, you’re starting out pretty strong. You might need to start failing somewhere. Or I’m going to get spoiled.”

“Didn’t you know that’s my job? To spoil you everyday and give you everything you want.” I dart my tongue out to lick the chocolate off her lip before smashing my lips to hers.

Living with Evelyn Thomas is going to be the adventure of a lifetime.