Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 84401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
“If she left, maybe things aren’t that bad. Maybe she’ll at least agree to keep working as your assistant.”
“I was her first, Marc.”
His brows drew together. “First what?”
“You’re awfully slow for a lawyer,” I muttered. Then sighed. “Evie was a virgin.”
Marc put his glass down and stared. Suddenly anger took over his face. “You slept with her knowing she’d never been with a guy? That’s low, even for you, Xavier. Fuck. Even your dumb ass must have realized she’s got feelings for you and that’s why she wanted you to be her first.”
For Marc to say fuck, he must be really pissed on Evie’s behalf, and he reached his goal. I felt even worse, which had seemed hardly possible. Every woman I’d been with since I’d slept with Evie had made me feel more guilty. They hadn’t been the distraction I’d hoped for. All they’d done was show me that Evie was one of a kind.
“I didn’t know…at first. And when I figured it out, it was too late.”
Marc shook his head again. He grabbed the empty glasses and rose. “I’m getting us another round. I’ve got a feeling we’ll both need it.”
He returned with two glasses filled with an almost black concoction. “Dark Ale. Chocolate and malt notes,” he said as he put a glass down in front of me and sat down.
“I assume she quit her job.”
I nodded.
“That leaves her six months to find you a replacement.”
I nodded again.
Marc sighed. “Mom will be really sad, and Willow, too. And Milena and the kids as well.”
I scowled. “I get it. I ruined this for everyone. We all love Evie and I fucking lost her.”
Marc tilted his head in that annoying attorney way, like I had just revealed a crucial hint. “We all love her?”
“It’s a figure of speech, Marc. Get off my back,” I said, getting angry.
Marc sat back and was quiet for a long time. “Maybe it’s not too late. Go to her, tell her how you feel. Evie seems like a woman who doesn’t hold grudges. Maybe she’ll give you another chance.”
“For what? A relationship? You know I don’t date, Marc. Have never, will never.”
“I love Milena,” Marc said quietly, and I braced myself because that voice rang all my alarm bells. I knew he was going to address a topic I hated. “There was a time when I thought like you, when I thought the world was better off with me not dipping my toes in the dating pool, but with her I could not let her get away. I’m not like him. Sometimes I get angry and I yell, and Milena yells back, but not once did I call her names, threaten her or consider raising my hand to her. And not only because I don’t want to lose her—because I would lose her if I treated her like that—but because I don’t want to treat her that way.”
“Good for you, because I’d run you over with my fucking car if you ever treated Milena and the kids like shit.”
Marc smiled. “I know.” He sighed. “You and Evie seemed perfect for each other. I’ve never seen you laugh so much around a woman.”
“Evie is the funniest and smartest woman I know.”
“What’s the problem then? Is it because she doesn’t look like the supermodels you usually parade around?”
I narrowed my eyes. “Evie’s hot, and I don’t give a damn if she’s supermodel material or not.” The press was a different matter. They would descend on her like vultures if word got out that we were dating.
“Then what?”
I sighed. He didn’t get it. “There’s always that one messed-up puppy in the litter that’ll chew your face off when you’re sleeping. We both know you and Willow aren’t that kind of pup.”
Marc shook his head. “You won’t chew anyone’s face off, Xavier.”
“You never know. I don’t want to fuck up Evie’s life.”
Marc snorted into his beer. “You’re doing an awful job so far.”
Nothing like an older brother who made you feel like the biggest asshole in the world. He and Fiona would get along well if they ever met.
Evie still did everything she was supposed to do. She was responsible and took her job seriously, but now she made sure to keep her distance. Our banter was gone, and she never got close enough so we could accidentally touch.
“Xavier, are you listening to a word I’m saying? Can’t you at least pretend to give a shit?” Evie said. My eyes were drawn to her where she was perched on the barstool, tablet in front of her, scowling at me.
I hadn’t listened. I was still working up my courage to say what needed to be said.
She sighed. “I’m done with the first draft of the job announcement. You don’t have to worry about anything going public. I contacted a recruitment firm who will discretely look for possible candidates. If you like I can go over the announcement with Marc.”