

### I'll Run to You

By Nikki Vale

Copyright 2015 Nikki Vale

Smashwords Edition

Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter13

Chapter14

Chapter15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

.

.

### Chapter 1

Evelynn

My heart is almost pounding out of my chest, there's sweat running down my face and I feel like I might vomit at any moment. I'm wondering why I'm doing this to myself when I look at the girls in front of me in my circuit training class. Oh yeah, because I want to look like those supermodel-looking women right there.

I look to my right and see Gina with her jet black hair in a messy, but sexy bun, her olive skin glistening as she does her squats. How is she glistening, when I'm sweating and panting like a pig? I'm contemplating strangling her with my bare hands when she turns her bright blue eyes on me and says, "Come on Evie, don't give up now, it's just getting fun." If she wasn't so guileless and sweet, without a mean bone in her body, I really would throttle her.

I turn to my left and see my other partner in crime, Megan, leaning against the wall, eyes closed, gulping for air with her red hair plastered to her face. I can tell she wants to make a smart remark towards Gina's comment, but I think she's breathing too hard to speak at the moment. Her green eyes catch my brown ones, and I can see the murderous glint in her eyes. I chuckle to myself, feeling a little better knowing that I'm not the only one struggling to make it through this workout.

Gina is tall and fit, whereas Megan and I are both shorter and curvier. Gina recently grew tired of hearing me complain about how unhappy I am with my figure, and talked me into joining this circuit training class, and I, being the great friend that I am, dragged Megan along for the ride.

I'm having a hard time concentrating on the instructor as she talks us through the exercises. Besides my avoidance to exercise, and the inevitable pain that comes along with it, I have a lot on my mind.

My brother Trevor called asking for a favor. He has a buddy separating from the military that needs a place to stay, and already has a job lined up, but needs somewhere to stay until he can find a place of his own. Trevor says the guy is more than willing to pay rent and that it would only be two or three months tops. He thinks it would be an opportunity for me to put aside some extra cash for me, and my daughter, McKinley.

I've been a single mother since I was eighteen. My Granny Mabel let me stay with her and helped take care of McKinley while I went to college. I've just recently moved out of my grandmother's house and gotten a three bedroom apartment. It isn't in the nicest of neighborhoods, but it isn't the worst. Besides, I can't live with my grandmother forever.

I'm considering taking in Trevor's friend. I really do need to start a 'rainy day fund' for me and McKinley. I love my little girl more than anything − there's nothing I wouldn't do for her. Which is why I'm worried about having a stranger move in with us.

It's not that I don't trust Trevor's judgment. He's my overprotective big brother after all, and if the guy is a friend of Trevor's, he'll be a friend of mine. It's just that I haven't brought a man around McKinley since the day she was born. Even though this man won't be someone I'm dating, I don't want to give my little girl the wrong idea.

McKinley has recently started asking questions about her father. It all started when she began Kindergarten and heard other children talking about how their dad's did this, and how their dad's did that. I remember the day she looked at me with her sparkling eyes full of tears and said, "Momma, how come I don't have a daddy like everyone else?"

With her gorgeous light eyes like her father's and her caramel complexion more like mine, she's like a beautiful little angel. I ran my hand over her sandy colored ringlets and told her that her father had to go fight for his country, but if he could, he'd come back for her one day. That's the best I could come up with for the time being. The truth is too complicated for her five-year-old mind to comprehend right now. Hell, sometimes it's too much for _me_ to comprehend.

"Well, ladies and gentlemen, that's it for today's class. I hope to see you all again on Monday," the instructor announces. Well damn, I'm not sure if I completed the exercises or stared off into space in contemplation for the last twenty minutes.

"Thank goodness the torture is finally over," sighs Megan.

"Oh, come on ladies, it wasn't that bad, was it?" asks Gina, taking a sip from her water bottle. Megan puts her hand on the water bottle tipping it up further, causing Gina to sputter and spill water down her face.

"No Gina. It was just peachy, can't wait to do it again. And as for you, missy," Megan says pointing her finger at me. "I'm going to get you for tricking me into coming to this class. Low- impact aerobics my ass! I feel like I burst a couple of blood vessels somewhere."

"Oh, it wasn't that bad," I lie. "Anyways, I couldn't tell you it was circuit training class because I knew you wouldn't come, and I needed someone besides Princess Gina to share my pain," I say to Megan. "No offense to you, Princess Gina," I add.

"None taken," Gina replies.

Gina is a beautiful woman with a sweet disposition, that's how she got the nickname of 'Princess' in college. She has an exotic look that comes from her mixed heritage. Her father is from El Salvador and her mother is German-American. She inherited her father's olive complexion and jet black hair and she got her crystal blue eyes and slender build from her mother. At 5'9, she could easily pass for a model. I could definitely be jealous of her if I were the jealous type.

Gina, Megan, and I have been friends since freshman year in college, and Gina is definitely the glue that holds these three amigos together because Megan and I have strong personalities that sometimes clash.

I catch a glimpse of myself in the full-length mirror and see that my cheeks are red under my caramel skin and my hair is slipping out of its haphazard bun on my head. All the sweating has caused my curly hair to frizz, giving me a 'sunflower look,' as Trevor teasingly calls it. I critique myself in the mirror, eyeing my large breasts and wide hips. Luckily, I have a pretty small waist or I'd be a total catastrophe. At 5'1, I'm definitely carrying some extra weight, but at least I carry it well. Or so I like to tell myself.

"Alright Evie, if you're done ogling yourself in the mirror, we're ready to go," Megan teases me, grabbing me by the shoulders from behind and steering me towards the exit door of the gym.

Outside it's a beautiful sunny day in Northern California. I'm glad it's Friday night because it's been a long week and the three of us are going to meet up for dinner and drinks later at our favorite spot, _Shay's Bar & Grill_.

"Okay ladies, I've got to run and pick up McKinley before After-School care closes. I'll meet you guys at _Shay's_ at 7 o'clock." I inform them, and we go our separate ways.

### **********

It's been a while since I've been out with the girls and I'm having a hard time choosing what to wear. As the newest accountant at the publishing firm, I'm required to wear business attire daily, which I pair with sensible shoes and just throw my hair into a bun and call it good. On my days off I'm usually a casual clothes kind of girl, jeans and t-shirts mostly, and I don't take the time to do intricate hairstyles with my wild curls.

But tonight I'm feeling like putting a little more effort into my appearance. I've already spent an hour straightening my tight dark curls and now my hair hangs to the middle of my back, straight and silky, with big, loose curls at the end. Megan always teases me, asking why I straighten my hair, just to curl it again. She doesn't understand what it's like having mixed-girl hair.

Like Gina, I'm the product of an interracial relationship. My mother is Native American and Swedish, and my father is African American. People say that I have an exotic look, but I don't see it. I have big brown eyes, brown curly hair that comes just past my shoulders − when it's not straight − and light brown skin. There's nothing exotic about that. Gina says it's my big doe eyes and pouty mouth that make me so irresistible. It's one of the reasons I love that girl.

Anyway, I'm searching through my clothes in utter despair, with McKinley sitting at the foot of my bed watching me with fascination.

"Momma, are you going on a date?" she asks me.

"No, McKinley. Why would you think that?" I respond, still shifting through my clothes.

"Well, Nattie, my friend at school, says that she didn't have a daddy for a long time either and then her mommy went on lots and lots of dates. And now she has a step-daddy," she spits out in a rush. Taking a deep breath, she finishes with "If I can't have a real daddy, I thought maybe you can go on dates and find me a step-daddy− just like Nattie's mom," she says in earnest, with hope dripping in her sweet little voice.

She might as well have walked up and sucker-punched me in the gut because that's what it feels like hearing those innocent words falling from my baby's mouth. I don't know who this bratty little Nattie is, but I sure could wring her neck right about now for putting these ideas into McKinley's head. She gets enough crazy ideas on her own without any help from the peanut gallery.

I walk over to the bed and plop down next to McKinley, wrapping my arms around her. "Honey, it's just a girl's night out with your Auntie Megan and Auntie Gina. But don't worry sweetie, one day Momma will find her prince charming and we'll be a family, okay?" I tell her gently squeezing her and kissing her on the forehead.

"Okay, Momma," she agrees, hugging me back. "Hurry up and get ready so I can go to Granny's house," she says to me over her shoulder as she skips out of the room. Thank goodness kids are so damn resilient.

Now my nerves are shot. I need some help figuring out what I'm going to do about McKinley and her new-found daddy obsession. I need to talk to my girls and get some advice pronto. And to top it all off, I need a damn drink!

### **********

_Shay's Bar & Grill_ is only a couple of blocks away, so I decide to walk in case I decide to have more than a few drinks. It's a warm balmy spring night and there's a slight breeze gently blowing my hair and causing my dangling earrings to jingle ever so slightly in the wind.

I stop a couple buildings down from the restaurant and switch out my flip flops for the heels in my purse. The short walk and fresh air did me good. I smile as I sashay in the front door feeling refreshed.

I had finally decided to go with something casual but sexy before leaving my apartment. I'm wearing tight black jeans, a sheer top with a camisole underneath and a pair of strappy high heels. With my minimal makeup and jewelry, I might not be a show stopper but I should turn at least a few heads.

I look into the restaurant and see Megan and Gina are already in our favorite booth, and I head towards them waving. As I walk up to them Gina gives a little whistle.

"Hey _Mamacita_ , looking good," she says in her manliest voice possible. We all laugh as I slide into the booth next to Megan, who's not so subtly eyeing some man candy at the bar.

"You guys look pretty hot yourselves," I comment with a little smile and a wink. Both ladies are wearing dresses and Megan has her hair cascading down her back in gorgeous, fiery waves while Gina looks elegant and classy as usual. I sigh, saying "I wish someone had given me the memo." Megan finally tears her eyes away from the hunk at the bar.

"Huh? What in the world are you talking about?" I look her and Gina up and down, pointing.

"You know, the memo that you guys obviously got, saying to wear sexy dresses and come-get-me high heels," I say teasing.

"What difference does it make? You never take a guy home anyway. You're only twenty-four years old and you act like an old lady already. I know you're a single mom and all, but you've got to live a little sometimes." Megan comments.

Wow, that stung just a little bit. I must have made a face because Megan notices my reaction and quickly apologizes. "I'm sorry, girl. That was totally uncalled for. I think I'm just on edge, it's been eons since I've gotten laid and I'm jonesin." We all laugh a little at that. "Besides, we all know that you've never gotten over your first love. What was his name again? Hunter, right? That perfect specimen of a man that you compare every other man to."

Yeah, Megan's right about that. I never got over him. Hunter Douglas. My brother's best friend. The boy I've loved since the second grade. The beautiful boy who was sweet, funny, and kind, with messy blonde hair and stunning gray eyes.

The boy who turned into the man that crushed my heart into a million tiny pieces and stomped on them as he walked away. Of course, I omitted that part of the story when I told Megan and Gina about Hunter. Even though Hunter had done irreparable damage to my heart, I still couldn't forget how wonderful I thought he was before that fateful day.

### Chapter 2

**Evelynn**

6 years ago

A few weeks before my High School senior prom, Trevor and Hunter call to say they are coming home on military leave soon to visit me and Granny Mabel. I'm excited I'll get to see them soon. It's been a year or more since I've seen them.

Hunter is like family. Trevor and I met him the day we moved in with our father's mother, Granny Mabel when I was eight and Trevor was eleven. The two men have been inseparable ever since the day they met, and I'm still like their pesky little sidekick.

As I'm talking on the phone with Trevor about when he plans to come home, Hunter snatches the phone away from him.

"Hey, sunshine," he says through the phone and I can hear the smile in his voice.

When I was younger, Hunter told me that I was way too serious for a little girl, but that on the rare occasions that I did smile it was like a ray of sunshine. From that day on he called me 'sunshine.' He could say the sweetest things sometimes. Of course, Trevor never understood why Hunter called me 'sunshine' and neither of us ever bothered to explain.

"So, whatcha up to these days?" Hunter asks.

"Nothing much," I respond in a shy voice. I don't know what it is about this man that always makes my stomach flip. I've known him practically my whole life, but when I hear him speak with that husky timbre in his voice, unique to Hunter Douglas, I want to swoon like the women in the days of old.

"Well, that's funny, because a little birdie told me that senior prom was coming up." I can hear Trevor chuckling in the background and I wonder what that was about. "Do you have a date yet?" Hunter continues.

Oh man, why did he have to ask me about that? I've been stressing for the past month over finding a date for the prom. I don't have a boyfriend and so far it doesn't look like any guys from school are interested in asking me. My friend Jamie told me it's because I'm way too serious for an eighteen-year-old, and I have what they call 'resting bitch face' which scares the boys away. Pansies! Who needs them anyway? I pout to myself.

"No, Hunter," I sigh. "I don't have a date yet."

There's a pause on his end and then he says in a cheery voice. "Don't worry sunshine, if those boys are too stupid to see what a catch you are, I'll be your prince charming and take you to the ball."

As tempting as that sounds, I don't want to be Hunter's charity case. He's treating me like I'm his kid sister and the feelings I have for him are anything but sisterly. Luckily before I can respond, Trevor grabs the phone back from Hunter and asks to speak to Granny Mabel.

### **********

Prom Night

Trevor and Hunter have been home on leave for the past few days, and it feels like old times. I haven't seen much of them because they're running around trying to catch up with old friends while they're in town. But the atmosphere in the house is warmer now that they're home again.

My half-sister Crystal is sharing my room because her mom kicked her out for the umpteenth time.

Crystal is everything that I'm not. We look a lot alike, but she's outgoing where I'm reserved, spontaneous while I'm methodical and she's − flirtatious is a nice way of putting it, while I'm just, not.

I would hate to say my sister is easy, but there's no other way to put it nicely. She's a year older than me and a year younger than Trevor. How's that even possible if she's my half-sister? Apparently, before his incarceration, our Poppa was a rolling stone with a taste for blondes with no moral compass and a penchant for drugs. That's how Trevor and I came to live with Granny Mabel. Crystal just crashes here sporadically whenever her mom kicks her out, or she just needs to get away.

Even with our differences and the fact that our father was a no good dirty dog, there's no animosity between us. Although Crystal doesn't live with Granny Mabel all the time like Trevor and I do, she's still our sister, our family. And we don't have much family, so we definitely can't afford to be turning away the little family we do have.

Crystal is helping me with my hair and makeup for the prom. I'm not good with the whole makeup and hair thing, but Crystal is an absolute magician. She says it's one of the biggest keys to catching a man, looking like a supermodel at all times. I wouldn't know anything about that, but I'm guessing that's one of the reasons why Hunter refers to Crystal as the man-eater.

Jamie's picking me up in a few hours and I'm so nervous. Even though I would rather have gone to prom with Hunter, going with Jamie is better than not going at all.

Crystal is the only one who knows about my true feelings for Hunter. She's been my ear and shoulder to cry on through my years of pining away for him. She thinks Hunter is gorgeous too, and she flirts with him outrageously at times, but never really crosses the line out of respect for me. After all, I would hate to have to become sororicidal on her ass.

I stand in front of my dresser mirror to admire Crystal's handiwork. She's tamed my curls into a twist, with a few loose curls to frame my face and a few more cascading down my neck. She went light on the makeup, with a shimmering lip gloss and some mascara to make my large eyes appear even bigger. I'm amazed by my transformation. My shoulders are bare in a cream-colored strapless dress with a sweetheart bodice made from lace, and a short gown-style mini skirt made from sheer tulle with a ruffled edge. The look is flirty, yet elegant, and I feel ultra-feminine in my strappy silver high heels as I swish the skirt of the dress back and forth smiling at my reflection.

"Wow, you look amazing sunshine," I hear Hunter say from my bedroom door. He's leaning against the doorway with his muscular arms crossed over his equally muscular chest. My, oh my, the military has been good for this man. I can feel myself blush in response to his comment, and also because the sight of him lounging there in his fitted tee and relaxed-fit jeans is causing my temperature to rise.

I see Crystal's reflection in my mirror and she's eyeing Hunter in the same manner I am, but she's licking her plump, red lips like a wolf about to pounce on its prey. Something in my gut clenches and I find myself gritting my teeth.

"Hey, handsome. I did a pretty bang up job on Evelynn, didn't I?" Crystal asks. She's walked over to Hunter and is rubbing her hand slowly up his bicep. He pushes away from the doorway and Crystal's grabby hands in the process and walks past her into the room.

"Our Evie is always beautiful. You just helped enhance her natural beauty," he says walking up behind me and gently pushing my hair to the side. "And I have something I would like to add to help compliment the beauty of an already lovely girl."

In the mirror, I see Hunter reach his arms over my head and then he's placing a silver chain around my neck. There's a pendant on it with what looks like a heart locket. Inside the locket is another small heart.

I'm so overwhelmed that I close my eyes and my breath catches as I feel his fingers brush against my neck. Goosebumps spread out all over my body and my heart feels like it's going to beat out of my chest. I just pray he doesn't notice.

I hear Crystal gasp. "That's gorgeous! You must have paid a pretty penny for that," she exclaims.

I look up and catch Hunter's eyes in the mirror. For a moment, I could have sworn I saw something akin to love shining in his eyes, but then he looks away and says "It's a late birthday gift for my favorite little sidekick." I feel the air rush out of me. I hadn't realized I was holding my breath waiting for his response, and now I feel like a deflated balloon.

Of course. I'd forgotten that Hunter told me he'd gotten me something for my eighteenth birthday last month, and that he would be bringing it when he and Trevor came to visit. I was jumping to conclusions about his gift and creating a mountain out of a molehill.

Just then I hear the doorbell chime downstairs. Saved by the bell. "That must be Jamie," I say to them both. I turn to Hunter to give him a hug and stand on my tiptoes so I can reach around his neck. Even in my heels, his 6'2 frame is higher than I can reach. I feel the muscles in his chest against my chest, and I explore the muscles in his shoulders as I unnecessarily slide my hands over them, reaching up around his neck, to pull him into my embrace.

My face is pressed to his throat and I can't help but take a deep breath through my nose, inhaling the smell of his cologne and his natural musk. A barely audible moan escapes my lips against his skin. I think I feel him shiver. I'm mortified, I hope I haven't creeped him out. Why in the world did I just do that?

"Thank you for the wonderful gift," I say in a rush as I turn and flee down the stairs.

Granny Mabel has already opened the front door and ushered Jamie inside. "Come on in here young fella, and let Granny get a look at you." I hear her saying as the door closes. "Yep. You're just as handsome as always, Jamie boy, and if I was a few years younger I'd give ole' Evie here a run for her money!" Jamie just laughs and takes it all in stride. He's used to Granny Mabel's off-the-wall comments.

Jamie's looking handsome in his tux with his blonde hair styled in that purposefully messy way guys do it. His honey colored eyes land on me as I come down the stairs, and he gives me that megawatt smile that has all the girls at school drooling over him.

"Hello, gorgeous. Are you ready for our big night?" He asks playfully while throwing his arm around me. If life were fair I'd be more than friends with Jamie. Then maybe I could finally get over my lifelong crush on Hunter.

Actually, when comparing the two side by side, Jamie and Hunter could easily pass for brothers. Hunter is a few inches taller than Jamie and has piercing gray eyes as opposed to Jamie's honey colored ones, and both guys have gorgeous smiles, but Hunter has dimples to die for. Of course I'm just a little biased. Unfortunately, a friend is all that Jamie is to me and all that he'll ever be. But it doesn't mean we both can't have fun tonight.

Jamie and I pose while Granny and Crystal take several pictures of us before we leave. We're getting ready to head for the door when Trevor comes up to us.

"May we have a word alone with the young man for a moment, Evie?" He inquires in his deepest voice possible. I chuckle quietly, I know exactly what he's up to. Trevor's trying to play the overprotective big brother role.

I'm still smiling to myself as I look up and see Hunter standing quietly behind Trevor, his hands clasped behind his back and a somber expression on his face. The look on his face makes me pause and take a step back. He looks upset, but I have no clue as to why. I try to get his attention but he won't look me in the eye, he's too busy staring Jamie down.

I look at Jamie and he gives me a little smile and shrugs his shoulders towards Trevor, letting me know he's up for anything. Yep, and that's why I love that guy.

Jamie allows Trevor and Hunter to take him to the living room to give him the man to man talk about respecting young ladies. It's hilarious really.

After their done browbeating my date, I give my brother a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks, Trev," I whisper in his ear, letting him know I appreciate him looking out for me before Jamie and I head out the door.

The last thing I hear as we're getting into Jamie's car is Hunter yelling "Don't do anything you'll regret later!" I couldn't help but notice that Hunter didn't say 'Don't do anything I wouldn't do' like a normal person would.

### *********

I get home super late, or early depending on how you look at it, and the house is dead quiet. I guess everyone must have gone to bed already. I can't help but be surprised that Granny Mabel or Trevor didn't wait up to give me the third degree. I guess they trust me. Shrugging my shoulders to myself, I tip toe up the stairs to the room that Crystal and I share. I slowly crack the bedroom door open trying not to wake Crystal, when I hear masculine grunting and feminine groans coming from her side of the room.

Oh hell no! I know she didn't bring one of her boy toys to Granny Mabel's house, and is having sex with him in my bedroom! I walk into the room shutting the door behind me and flick on the light switch. My heart stops in my chest, my body begins to shake. I fall to my knees and cover my mouth with my hand before my uncontrollable sobs can escape and wake the whole house.

Crystal didn't bring a boy toy to Granny's house to screw in my bedroom. No, that would be too good to be true. Instead, she's screwing Hunter.

### Chapter 3

Evelynn

Today – Shay's Bar & Grill

"Okay ladies. I don't want to be a total buzz kill, but I need some advice. If you don't mind, I want to lay some heavy questions on you, then you both give me all the fabulous advice I need, and then we can all return to our happy hour like I didn't just become the downer on our girl's night out," I say contritely.

My two best friends look at me expectantly. That's why I love these two ladies, no matter what they have my back. "Okay, first things first. McKinley wants a daddy and she demands I get on it ASAP." I blurt out.

Megan immediately starts laughing "That's my girl! She knows exactly what she and her Momma needs and she's not ashamed to say it." Only Megan would find this situation funny. How in the world she became a school teacher I'll never know. Ignoring Megan, I look to Gina for her expert advice.

Gina purses her pretty pink lips and says, "Well sweetie what did you expect? I mean, every kid wants a Mommy and a Daddy. It's natural that McKinley would get to the age where she would wonder why she doesn't have a father. Heck, even Megan and I don't know anything about McKinley's father," she pauses and glances at Megan, who just shrugs and nods, signaling she doesn't have a clue either. I sigh.

"It's a long and complicated story, one that I don't want McKinley to ever learn about. It hurts me just to think about it myself," I manage to say without expressing too much condemning emotion. Gina reaches over and pats my hand, nodding in understanding.

Megan speaks up "Well Evie if her bio dad's out of the question, how about taking your daughter's advice and finding a good man for yourself, and a father for her? Look, hon, I know that you had a hard time going to college and taking care of a baby. And I understand why all your focus was on her and finishing school, but now you've got your degree, you've moved out of your Granny's house , and you're working as an accountant for that publishing company. It's time to start thinking about you for a change. I meant what I said earlier, even if I didn't mean to say it the way I did. I've never seen you with a man before..." She stops for a second and gets an odd look on her face, as if something just occurred to her.

"Oh no, no, no!" I interject, my voice raising a few notches. I shake my head pointing at her "I know what you're insinuating and I'm not. I'm not a lesbian. I have nothing against all that, but I like man candy." Megan holds up her hands with a wicked little smile on her face, her green eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Okay, okay, if you say so." Gina looks at the two of us and shakes her head, laughing softly. Did I say I loved these two? I'm thinking I may have to retract my earlier statement. I give Megan an evil side glare.

"So now that that's settled," Megan says with a smirk. "What's the other issue you need advice about?"

I lean back in my seat looking up at the low-hanging light above our table, "Trevor called and asked me if his buddy, who's separating from the military soon, could stay with me until he gets settled in. The guy is willing to pay rent and my brother knows that I could use the extra money. He claims that's why he suggested it. I'm just worried about having a stranger move in with me and McKinley. I don't want her to get the wrong idea, especially since she's been obsessing about having a father lately."

"A friend of Trevor's huh? How's that gorgeous brother of yours doing anyway?" I roll my eyes at Megan's question and Gina interrupts before I can give Megan some type of snarky response.

"It would be a great opportunity for you to earn some extra money Evie. I think that if you explain to McKinley that Uncle Trevor's friend is staying with you guys until he can find a place of his own, she'll understand. Tell her it's just like when he two of you lived with Granny Mabel until you could get a place of your own," Gina says, departing her infinite wisdom in that soothing way of hers. A smile spreads across my face and my burden feels just a smidge lighter.

"You're absolutely right," I tell Gina. "Now all I need to do is call Trevor and find out about this buddy of his," I mumble half to myself as I start digging around in my purse for my cell phone. Pulling it out, I look at the screen.

"Oh crap, Trevor's been blowing me up for the past hour. I must have had the damn thing on silent." I start to scroll through my texts when I look up and see Trevor walking through the front door of Shay's. I'm stunned, but my excitement soon takes over and I start running towards Trevor. I see a man walking in behind him and I slow my pace, thinking this must be the buddy Trevor has been talking about.

He's almost as tall as Trevor which would put him at about 5'11 to Trevor's 6'0. I'm getting a good look at the man as he walks further into the restaurant. Whoa, this guy is hot. He's a total Daniel Henney look-alike. Hell yeah, he can move in with me, I'd let him be my Maverick any day.

Before I can even start conjuring sexy scenarios in my head about hot new Asian guy, another man walks through the door behind him and stops me dead in my tracks.

My heart constricts in my chest and I feel like I can't breathe. If I could breathe I just might vomit, but first I need to run. Before I can do any of those things, Trevor has me in a bear hug. Over his shoulder I see a ghost from my past, one that I'd hoped to never lay eyes on again.

### Chapter 4

Hunter

I'm not going to lie, I'm nervous as hell. Evie's not going to be happy to see me. This shit is not going to go well. Why am I doing this again? I shake my head, running my hands through my short blonde hair, It doesn't matter, because I've already set everything in motion and there's no going back now.

Trevor and Tony are walking into the restaurant ahead of me. I'm dragging behind, delaying the inevitable, but I've got to get a handle on myself before I face her. Taking a deep breath, I wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans, clear my face of emotion, push my shoulders back and walk in behind Tony.

I see Evie running toward Trevor with a bright smile on her face. I drink in the sight of her delicious caramel complexion, her silky straight hair, big, brown almond-shaped eyes, and the most kissable pouty lips. She's as beautiful as I remembered, maybe, even more, beautiful.

I see her eyes land on Tony and a look that can only be described as pure unadulterated lust fleetingly crosses her features. I feel a knot of jealousy form in my chest, my lips form a thin line and I clench my fists a few times, then I relax. I realize that I have no right to the feelings that are taking hold of me.

I can tell when Evie's eyes finally land on me because the smile leaves her face, along with the light in her eyes. I just stare back in silence.

"Hey, baby sis!" Trevor says to Evie as he places a brotherly kiss on her forehead. He looks down at her as if he's just now noticing the change in her demeanor. His eyes follow the direction of her gaze to me and he sighs audibly.

"Look, Evie, I know you weren't expecting to see Hunter but you two have got to get over whatever bullshit it is that caused your falling out. Tony and I have orders to deploy overseas next week. So we took a few days of leave to help Hunter get settled in. That's why I've been trying to reach you, but Granny Mabel told me where you were. So here we are."

I can see realization dawn on Evelynn's face. "You and Tony? What? Wait a minute..." she's stammering and I can tell she's trying to get her thoughts together. "You mean to tell me that Hunter is the buddy that needs a place to stay? Hunter Douglas? The HUNTER FUCKING DOUGLAS that I never wanted to lay eyes on again in my life?!" I can tell that Trevor is completely blown away by her reaction. Evelynn almost never loses her temper, and she definitely isn't one to throw the word fuck around.

Trevor gives me a look that lets me know that we'll be having a heart- to-heart later. For the past five years, I've been brushing off his attempts to find out what caused the rift between me and his baby sister, and why I never go home with him to visit anymore. I always play it off like it's no big deal, but in the face of Evie's anger, I can see the writing on the wall. I won't be able to sweep this shit under the proverbial carpet anymore. His eyes are telling me that it's time to come clean, but there's no way in hell I'm telling my best friend that I slept with one of his sisters and broke his other sister's heart, and my own in the process.

### Chapter 5

Hunter

6 years ago

Trevor and I haven't been on the same military base since basic training and Technical School but now he's stationed at a base within a few hours from mine so he took it upon himself to drive up on his days off to visit me. Luckily for him, my roommate is gone on temporary duty so Trevor can crash in his bed and stay in the barracks with me.

We ran to the commissary to grab some snacks, and now we're up in my room throwing back a few cold ones reminiscing about the good old days. Trevor says to me "Hey man, I was thinking about taking some leave in a couple of months to go back and visit Evie and my Granny Mabel. What do you think about coming with me? I know they're just like family to you too. Hell, you practically lived at my grandma's house with me and Evie when we were kids."

Hell yeah, I want to go. He's right about me staying at his house more than I did my own when I was a kid. My mom and step-dad were a couple of lousy drunks. I would stay gone from that house from sun up to sun down, just to keep from having to dodge flying beer bottles. At least, they were empty. Dear old mom wouldn't want to waste any of her precious liquid gold.

"Sure man," I reply casually, taking another swig of my beer.

If I was being honest with myself, I couldn't wait to see Evie again. She was just a fifteen-year-old kid when Trevor and I left for boot camp, but I know that she recently turned eighteen. I even bought a gift for her big day and I'm still waiting to give it to her.

I know just about everything there is to know about Evelynn Rae Woods. Her favorite color is orange because it reminds her of fall, which is her favorite time of year. She loves romantic comedies like most girls, but also has a secret love for horror flicks. Evelynn snores softly and talks in her sleep. How creeped out would she be if she knew I kept a mental note of everything about her? And how pissed off would Trevor be? I'm afraid to find out.

"Hey Trev, how about we call your grandma and Evie right now to let them know we're coming?" I suggest. Of course I have ulterior motives. Thinking about Evie has me jonesin' to hear her voice, but I can't let Trevor know that. I don't know how my best friend will react if he finds out I've been half in love with his baby sister since the first time I'd laid eyes on her and Trevor playing in the front yard when I was only eleven years old.

Trevor picks up his cell phone and dials Evie's number. I silently wait with bated breath, feeling like some damn high school girl with her first crush.

"Hey, baby sis, how's it going?" I hear Trevor say into the phone. He's telling her about our plan to come visit while I'm sitting here wishing he'd put her on speaker phone so I can hear her voice. They start chatting about specific dates and other nonsense, when I get impatient and snatch the phone out of Trevor's hand.

"Hey, sunshine," I say smiling like an idiot. Trevor does a double take and I realize I'm not acting normal and tone it down a notch. "So, whatcha up to these days?" I ask her, trying to sound more blasé.

"Nothing much," she replies in her feminine, yet husky, voice. Man have I missed hearing that lyrical voice. I can just imagine her full lips close to the phone, forming every sexy sound that's coming out of her mouth. I remind myself that now is not the time to indulge in sexual fantasies about Evelynn while her brother is sitting in the same room with me.

"Well, a little birdie told me that senior prom was coming up," I say to her. Trevor starts chuckling to himself because he has every intention of being there to harass whatever young man dares to take his baby sister to the prom.

"Do you have a date yet?" I ask, hoping that she doesn't, not out of meanness, but because I want to be the only man in her life.

"No, Hunter," she sighs. "I don't have a date yet."

Hearing the sadness in her voice, I feel like a jackass, so I take a deep breath, put a smile on my face and tell her how I really feel.

"Don't worry sunshine, if those boys are too stupid to see what a catch you are, I'll be your prince charming and take you to the ball." Trevor gives me a weird look then punches me in the arm

"What the hell man?" he whispers and snatches the phone back from me.

### **********

Prom Night

Trevor and I arrive at Granny Mabel's two nights before the prom. She greets us at the door with her usual candor. "What, are they passing out muscles in the military these days? You two look like a real bunch of jarheads. You better not be using that 'juice,' you know what they say it does to Mr. Winky." She says eyeing our packages. Trevor and I look at each other and burst out laughing.

"Hi Granny Mabel, we missed you too," Trevor says as we take turns getting our hugs from the woman who has been more like a mother to both of us, than either of our mothers has been.

I try being sly, as I scan the rooms for any sign of Evelynn. As if reading my mind Granny Mabel comments in her gravelly voice "Evie and Crystal are at the mall getting the last touches for the prom. They should be home soon." Walking past me, she pats my hand and smiles saying, "You boys go on up to Trevor's old room and put your things away. Then come back to the kitchen. I've got some pie in the oven for you."

I'm not too thrilled to hear that Crystal is staying with Granny Mabel too. I don't hate the girl or anything. But Trevor and Evie's half-sister Crystal is a total man-eater, and when I'm around her I feel like she's got her sights set on me as her next victim. Don't get me wrong, Crystal is an attractive girl, but she's no Evie. And, you can call me old fashioned if you want, but I like to do the chasing when it comes to women. There's definitely no need to chase after what Crystal's laying out on a silver platter for every half-decent looking guy that comes along.

Trevor suggests we go visit some old friends while we're in town, so I go with him because I can't just sit around at the house hoping to catch a glimpse of Evelynn. That would be suspicious. As it turns out we end up just missing the girls with our comings and goings until the night of the prom.

I finally see Evelyn at breakfast the morning of her big day. Her eyes still have a sleepy look and her ponytail is lopsided and all cute and frizzy. She yawns and gives me a dopey little smile. She's like a breath of fresh air compared to the dorm rats and bar flies I've been accustomed to the past few years. I've never seen her smile so much. She's such a serious girl. Which is something I appreciate about her because she doesn't play games, but she still has a fun playful side.

I can see a light of excitement in Evie's eyes this morning. She must be on cloud nine anticipating prom tonight. That thought makes me a little jealous, but then I remember she's just going with her friend Jamie. I'm glad she doesn't let little things like a boy she likes not asking her to prom, keep her from going and enjoying herself.

Over breakfast, we talk about what she plans to do after graduation. She tells me she wants to go to college and major in accounting, and someday she hopes to get married and have lots of children, because she's always wanted a big family.

"Where do you see me and you in your future plans?" I get the nerve to ask her when she speaks about her future. She blinks her big brown eyes in surprise and looks down shyly at her lap chewing on her lower lip.

"I hope we're still friends," She says. And then very quietly adds "And maybe more."

I can tell I'm making her nervous, so I back off a little. She asks me about military life and I share a few less risqué antidotes with her. She keeps reaching over the breakfast table and touching my hand, gently pushing me on the shoulder when I make her laugh as we talk. She's never been so touchy-feely with me and it makes me think that she may actually be flirting with me. That, along with her earlier comment brings a spark of hope to my chest. I take it as a sign that it would be okay reveal my true feelings for her without fear of rejection. But I don't want to interfere with her big night so I decide it can wait until tomorrow morning. After all, what's another day when I've already waited this long?

### **********

It's around 6 o'clock and Crystal is helping Evie get ready for prom. I'm doing my damnedest to stay out of the way, but my curiosity is getting the best of me, so I go upstairs to take a peek at their progress.

Evie is standing in front of her mirror with her back to the doorway. She literally takes my breath away. Her gorgeous curls are swept up in some kind of twist with stray curls framing her face and brushing the nape of her neck.

The dress she's wearing is cream and strapless, revealing her flawless caramel skin. Crystal must have given Evie some special girly lotion, because her skin is shimmering in the light and the scent in the air is intoxicating. She's swinging her dress back and forth, drawing my attention to the amount of leg she's displaying, and I practically salivate. Those strappy silver shoes encasing her dainty feet are the stuff wet dreams are made of. I lean against her doorway in an effort to hide the semi-erection I've gotten while ogling her.

"Hey, handsome. I did a pretty bang up job on Evelynn, didn't I?" Crystal asks me, while slowly rubbing her hand up my bicep. I'd forgotten she was in the room, and didn't even notice her approach me, that's how enraptured I was with the vision before me. I push myself away from the doorway and, Crystal's slimy little clutches, and walk further into the room.

"Our Evie is always beautiful. You just helped enhance her natural beauty," I say walking up behind Evie and pushing her hair to the side. Take that, you conniving little wench.

"And I have something I would like to add to help compliment the beauty of an already lovely girl," I say, just to add more salt into the wound. Never mind the fact that it's absolutely true.

I reach my arms over Evie's head and place a white gold chain around her neck. It has a heart shaped on it that contains a heart within a heart. I hope Evie understands that there's a special meaning behind the necklace.

I give into my need to touch her, and let my fingers brush over her collar bone and then the nape of her neck, as I secure the clasp of the necklace for her. My heart's beating erratically and I feel like the blood is rushing to my head.

I hear Crystal gasp "That's gorgeous! You must have paid a pretty penny for that." She accuses me, with her hand propped on her hip.

I look up in the mirror and catch Evie's eyes. I'm feeling so many emotions running through me at the moment that I'm pretty sure she can see it reflected in my eyes, but then I remember that Crystal's still in the room and I can't say the things I really want to say. So instead, I reply "It's a late birthday gift for my favorite little sidekick."

Ugh, how stupid did that sound? Crystal is really throwing me off my game. Evie would never again be the pesky little sidekick Trevor and I pretended she was when she was just a kid.

Suddenly I hear the doorbell chime downstairs. "That must be Jamie," Evie announces. She turns toward me and stands on her tip-toes, because even in her sexy heels her petite 5'1 frame is no match for my height of 6'2.

I feel her hands run over the muscles on my chest and then over the muscles in my shoulders as she reaches around my neck to pull me into a hug. I can feel my body quickly responding to her innocent touches. Then she has her face in my neck and I swear I can hear her take a deep breath through her nose like she's inhaling my scent. A barely audible moan escapes her lips against my neck. I shiver.

I've never been so turned on in my fucking life. My semi-erection has just turned into a full blown hard-on. Before I can react she says "Thank you for the wonderful gift." Then she turns and flees down the stairs as if the hounds of hell are nipping at her heels. I hope to God she wasn't running in fear, because she felt my arousal against her leg.

I'm standing here stunned and painfully aroused. And of course, my arousal doesn't go unnoticed by the harpy on the bed. I watch as her greedy eyes caress the tent in my jeans, and I make a split-second decision to get the hell out of the room before something goes terribly wrong. I walk into the hallway bathroom and contemplate rubbing one out, but that just seems wrong, so I splash some cold water on my face and wait it out.

I'm finally ready to go downstairs and I run into Trevor in the hallway. We start walking down the stairs together when we both stop in our tracks. When I see Jamie, I'm dumbfounded and more than just a little upset. Before I can get the words out, Trevor says, "Damn, the way Evie talked about Jamie I thought he was a she. I thought she was going with her girlfriend 'Jamie' since no one asked her to the prom. Stupid unisex names. Oh well, guess I'll have to go play crazy overprotective big brother on the young man." Then he slaps me on the shoulder and walks down the rest of the stairs towards them.

I'm blown away. I mean I have to admit I was relieved that I wasn't the only one who had mistaken the situation. But that didn't make me feel any better as I watched the two of them interact.

"Hello, gorgeous. Are you ready for our big night?" Jamie asks Evelynn in a playful voice and throws his arm around her.

By the way, he's talking to her I can tell he's very comfortable with Evie, and if he's the Jamie she's been talking about for the past year or so, he has a right to be comfortable, because they apparently spend almost every waking moment together. I'm wondering why Evelynn acted like she didn't know if she was going to the prom, when she had to have known Jamie was going to ask her. What kind of game is she playing?

Not only was Jamie not a girl, but the motherfucker was a good-looking dude. I mean hey, you have to give credit where credit is due. As a matter of fact, if I had a little brother he might look a lot like this Jamie character. I'm feeling bamboozled. Evie has never declared feelings for me, but I can't be that far off the mark with all the signs she's been giving me lately, can I?

Granny and Crystal are taking pictures of the couple before they get ready to leave. I see Trevor walking up to them and that's my cue to follow him.

"May we have a word alone with the young man for a moment, Evie?" He inquires in his deepest voice possible. Evie giggles like she knows what's up. Normally I would have chuckled at Trevor's antics too, but suddenly things aren't quite so funny anymore. Like the fact that we even need to give the 'you better respect my baby sister or I'll bust your balls' speech in the first place.

I stand behind Trevor ready to follow him and Jamie into the other room and I see Evie out of the corner of my eye trying to get my attention. I don't want her to know that I'm angry and hurt right now, so I avoid looking her in the eyes. I've got so much noise going on in my head that I miss the whole interaction going on between Trevor and Jamie.

After Trevor's done interrogating her date Evie gives Trevor a kiss on the cheek and whispers something in his ear before her and Jamie head out the door. As they're walking to the douchebags car I'm thinking please Lord, don't let her do something tonight that I would do, and then I yell out "Don't do anything you'll regret later!" Could I be any more obvious? If the sneer on Crystal's smug face is any indication, the answer is no.

### **********

It's 2 o'clock in the morning, and I'm still up waiting for Evie to come home. I went through Granny Mabel's kitchen about an hour ago looking for her secret stash of cinnamon whiskey. It burns going down but it hurts less than the pain that's in my chest right now.

Evelynn must be out having a great time. I can only imagine what she could possibly be doing at this time of night. And with that thought, I take another shot. Now I can't think straight and part of my face feels numb. I think it might be time to call it a night, so I head upstairs.

I've decided that the stairs are too steep, so I'm crawling up on my hands and knees. When I get to the top I grab the nearest wall and pull myself up. Feeling like I've really achieved something, I stand there for a while with my hands on my hips smiling to myself. That's when Crystal opens her door and takes a look at me. A wicked smile spreads across her face and I know I'm in trouble, but I'm not exactly sure why.

"You're drunk, aren't you?" Crystal asks me in a low, sensual voice. Is that a trick question? "No," I say and start laughing uncontrollably. Crystal puts her finger to her lips, and in that moment she looks so much like Evie its uncanny "Shhhh," she whispers. "Come, let Momma take care of you."

I smile and stumble into her open arms.

### Chapter 6

Hunter

Today- Shay's Bar & Grill

Seeing Evelynn's face right now, so full of rage, brings back memories of the night that I ruined everything. If I ever had doubts about Evie's true feelings for me, it was all revealed to me by her reaction when she found me in her sister's bed.

She didn't react with anger, like she is right now. She was absolutely bereft and inconsolable which was worse than if she'd flown into a fit of rage and hit me and cursed me like I deserved. If she had no feelings for me at all, I wouldn't have had to witness her breakdown, falling to her knees, and muffling her own uncontrollable sobbing with her hands. The sight tore my heart in two, and there was nothing I could do to take it back, to make it better.

Crystal cried that night too, and begged for Evie's forgiveness, giving me the impression that she had known Evie's true feelings all along. In that moment, I hated Crystal with everything in me, and there was only one person I hated even more. Myself.

I never got the chance to ask Crystal about what she did or didn't know about Evie's feelings prior to that night. I left Granny Mabel's the very next morning with the intent of never returning. Less than a year later, before my anger had cooled enough to speak to her again, Crystal died in a car accident.

So here I am, staring in the eyes of the only woman I've ever loved and all I can see in her eyes is hate and, possibly fear? I must be mistaken. Before I can get a better look, Evie turns on her heel and storms off in the direction of what I can only assume is the ladies room. A tall woman with sun-kissed skin and vibrant blue eyes looks at the three of us in confusion, and then hurries after Evie.

I see Tony's eyes following the tall girl to the restroom "Damn! Did you see that girl? She's easily the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. She could pass for Zooey Deschanel if it wasn't for the gorgeous bronze tone to her skin," Tony comments rubbing his hands together in glee.

Leave it to Tony to only notice the beautiful girl sitting on the sidelines when an entire drama is unfolding before his eyes. Trevor eyes Tony, smiles and shakes his head.

"That's Gina, one of my sister's best friends so that makes her practically family. Catch my drift?" he asks one eyebrow raised and, his voice low with a warning.

"Only honorable intentions, got it," Tony answers with a thumbs up and a smile.

### **********

Evelynn

Oh God, Oh God, this can't be happening. I'm in the bathroom fanning my face with my hands, because I'm flushed and I feel like I'm hyperventilating. Gina walks into the bathroom a second later, rushing over to me and putting her arms around my shoulders.

"It's okay sweetie, just breathe," she tells me in a soothing voice. With her arms still wrapped around me, she walks me over to the sink where she dampens some paper towels and gently blots my face with them. I sigh because the cool towels feel like heaven against my flushed skin. Before I can control them, the tears start to fall and I'm sobbing into her shoulder.

"I can't do it, Gina. I can't, I can't, I can't..." I say repeatedly in her shirt, while the tears continue to roll down my cheeks. I know that I've got to get a hold of myself. I'm never one to cry or show this much emotion, so I know I've got be scaring the crap out of Gina right now. Hell, I'm scaring myself. This sudden rush of emotions is overwhelming, to say the least.

I never imagined I'd see Hunter again and especially so unexpectedly like this. When I first laid eyes on him, I felt the hurt come back to me, but the wrath in me quickly took over. I can't deny that underneath the surface of the rage and the hurt, desire lingers, and that pisses me off most of all.

How can I still desire the man who completely shattered not only my trust in him, but my love for him as well? And all it took was one look at him. I'm ashamed of myself. I'm stronger than that. Damn it, I'm better than that!

"Okay, I'm done," I say to Gina, and give her a quick hug. I lean over the sink to clean myself up and get it together. I assess the damage and I'm glad I don't wear a ton of makeup, because it could've been a helluva a lot worse.

Before I can walk out the door Gina puts her hand on my shoulder to stop me. "Give me a sec. Let me see if I've got this straight. That beefy blonde guy with the piercing gray eyes is none other than your first love, Hunter Douglas?" I nod my head and she continues on. "And he's the guy your brother suggested stay with you until he gets a place of his own?" Another nod from me. "And you harbor complete and total animalistic rage for him. Um, why?" I smile a little at her phrasing.

"Animalistic? Really? I wasn't that bad, was I?" She smiles back at me.

"For a normal person, no. For our cool as a cucumber, Evelynn Rae Woods, definitely. Don't get me wrong, I know there's a little spitfire inside of you, but unlike Megan, you usually tend to bite your tongue in order to keep the peace," Gina explains.

Wow, I'm taken aback at how well she knows me. That makes me feel good. I have a really great friend in Regina Santos. I know that I owe her the full story, but the restroom of _Shay's Bar & Grill_ is not the time, nor the place, to unburden my sorrows.

"Here's the edited version, and I promise to tell you and Megan the full details later. The night of my senior prom in high school I walked in on Hunter screwing my half-sister Crystal in my bedroom. He left the very next morning and I haven't spoken to him since." Looking at her face, I can tell that she truly is one of my best friends. Her blue eyes are narrowed into slits and her forehead is scrunched into a scowl. I can tell she wants to get her claws into Hunter now too, and it makes me feel just a little bit better to have my feelings validated.

"Alright then, let's go out there and face the bastard."

### **********

I walk back to the booth as if nothing is wrong, with Gina trailing behind me. Tony and Hunter are on one side of the booth, with Megan across the table from them while Trevor has pulled up a chair to the side of the table. I can tell that Megan has been chatting the guys up and keeping them entertained by their laughter and her animated facial gestures as we walk up. I let Gina slide into the booth next to Megan, so I can be on the outside in case I need to make another quick getaway.

"You alright, baby girl?" Trevor asks me rubbing my shoulder.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just don't think Hunter staying with me is going to work. I wish you had told me who you were referring to before you brought him all the way down here," I say pointedly.

"Honestly Evie, I didn't tell you on purpose. Whatever this shit is between you two has got to be fixed. You're my baby sister, and Hunter is like a brother to me. I'm tired of excuses for why you two can't be in the same vicinity without any explanation as to why. So either you guys come clean or you hash this shit out," He says, smacking his hand on the table for emphasis.

One look at Hunter and I can tell he's holding his breath waiting for my response. If I lay everything out on the table right now, Trevor may lose his best friend. I just can't do that Trevor. Hunter really is like a brother to him, and after losing Crystal to a drunk driver five years ago, our small family has become even smaller, and more important to us. So I sit here and say nothing.

"Looks like I have my answer," Trevor says with a satisfied smile. "So should we head over to your apartment and get Hunter situated, or do you have to stop by Granny Mabel's to get McKinley?" he asks me as he's getting up out of his chair.

"Not tonight. She's sleeping over Granny's," I reply, and thank goodness for that because I don't know how I could have explained just showing up at the apartment with Hunter unannounced. At least this way I can explain it to her before she meets him.

I start to shuffle my way out of the booth, expecting Tony and Hunter to do the same, but Hunter seems glued to the seat with a perplexed look on his face.

"Excuse me, but who's McKinley?"

Surprised at the question, I glance at Trevor giving him an 'are you kidding me right now?' look. He just shrugs his shoulders at me. Of course he didn't tell Hunter. That would be asking for way too much.

"McKinley is my daughter."

### **********

Hunter

Her what? Her daughter? I couldn't have heard that correctly.

I look between Evie and Trevor. I know my mouth has got to be hanging open, but they continue to get up and collect their things like Evelynn didn't just drop a fucking bomb in my lap. I open my mouth then close it, open then close, open then close. Yep, straight-up guppy style, but I can't seem to get my lips to form the words that I need to convey my total and utter disbelief. When did this happen? Who's the father? And more importantly, why the hell didn't anyone tell me?

As I mentally pick myself up by my bootstraps, I realize that there will be plenty of time for questions later. After all, Evie and I will be living under the same roof soon, oh, and McKinley too apparently.

Evie turns to her friends. "Hey ladies, please don't leave on my account. Enjoy the rest of your night out. I'll catch up with you guys later. Oh, and the first drink is on me," she kindly says to them as she lays some money down on the table.

"Are you sure you don't need some backup Evie?" the redhead asks, thumbing her nose in jest. The tall girl, Gina is quiet but her eyes are shooting daggers at me so I can only guess that Evie told her what went down between the two of us. I can't be mad, though. That's how true friends should be.

If anything happened to Trevor I'd have his back in a heartbeat, and it looks like Gina and Megan have got Evie's back. And now that I know that, I know that I have more than one woman's heart to win over in my battle for redemption.

### Chapter 7

Evelynn

I've come to a conclusion while Trevor and Tony help Hunter move his things into the spare bedroom in my apartment. This was absolutely a set up by Trevor. Sabotage, if you will. But now that I've had time to calm down and think about it, this time, with Hunter may give me the closure that I need to move on with my life.

If I'm being totally honest with myself, Hunter is one of the main reasons that I haven't dated much, or at all really. Breaking my heart was a big part of the problem, but the loss of trust for, someone I cared so deeply for has made it hard for me to trust someone else enough to let them in. Especially since I have McKinley to think about too.

McKinley is another reason that I need to hurry things along. I need to get my closure before Hunter gets curious and asks too many questions, or McKinley gets attached to Hunter and doesn't want him to leave.

Now that I've come to the realization that I need to talk things out with Hunter, without scratching his eyes out, I feel a little less stressed. With that being said, it definitely won't be tonight, because at this point I'm emotionally drained and can barely keep my eyes open.

Yawning as I stretch my arms above my head, I announce, "Gentlemen, I hate to leave you, but I'm exhausted so I'll see you two later." I blow my brother a kiss across the room. "And Hunter I'll see you in the morning, feel free to make yourself at home." I almost laugh out loud at the look on Hunter's face.

He clearly wasn't expecting me to be so nice after the way I'd greeted him at _Shay's_. Can't say that I blame him, but I don't have the time or inclination for explanations right now, so I walk into my room, close the door, and lock it just in case.

### **********

Why is stretching when you wake up in the morning the best thing ever? It's 6 o'clock in the morning, and while I slept pretty good last night, I can't claim it's the best night's sleep I've had. Now that I think about it, I should still be sleeping! McKinley is still at Granny Mabel's so there's absolutely no reason I should be up this early on a Saturday morning. Just as I'm snuggling back down into my covers, the tantalizing aroma of bacon reaches me. Mmmmm, bacon. And is that coffee I smell?

I slowly sit up, stretching once again. My feet hit the plush carpet as I gently rub the sleep out of my eyes. I stumble into my master bath to brush my teeth and wash the remaining traces of sleep from my face before I'm ready to tackle the inevitable.

I take a steadying breath, unlock my bedroom door and head towards the kitchen. I see a pot of coffee percolating on the counter, and Hunter is standing in front of the stove frying a pan of bacon. He has his back to me, so I allow myself a minute to drink in the sight of his masculine beauty.

He's only wearing basketball shorts slung low on his hips, and the muscles of his back are well-defined as he moves the skillet around. He has a tattoo that covers his left arm from his wrist to his shoulder and it continues to wrap around to the back of his shoulder blade. I didn't think this man could get any sexier than he already was. I was wrong.

I'm still examining his tattoo from a distance when my eyes are drawn to an inconsistency in the symmetry of the tribal design. As I get closer I notice that the skin underneath the tattoo is a little more puckered and raised than the surrounding area. It's a scar. It looks like it might be a gunshot wound. Before I can stop myself I reach out and brush my fingertips gently across the raised skin. I feel Hunter suddenly stiffen and inhale sharply.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," I apologize, quickly snatching my hand away.

"It happened on my last mission, I was caught by a stray bullet while tending to my some of my brothers who had been wounded," he says quietly, ignoring my apology, his back still to me.

"It's why I separated from the military, or rather why they medically discharged me," he continues shrugging his shoulders as if it were no big deal. But I know that's not true at all. The military had given Hunter a purpose and a sense of family, the same as it did for Trevor.

For a moment, I almost forgot how angry I am with him.

"So, whatcha cooking?" I ask in an attempt to change the subject.

He finally turns to me with his gray eyes soft and a half-smile on his face and says "Bacon and eggs, scrambled of course because I know how you hate the yolk in fried eggs. I also made coffee, although I don't know if you drink coffee because I've never seen you drink it before, so I made tea too because I know how you love your peppermint tea."

I didn't hear a word he said. He has his hip leaned against the kitchen counter with his arms crossed over his chest, holding a spatula in his right hand. I'm literally devouring the sight of his tanned biceps and pecs that have a sprinkle of golden hair across them, not to mention the sexy V that athletic men get, and a six pack that has its very own path of golden hair, leading to that happy place...

The muscles in his pecs and arms start dancing up and down and I snap out of my trance. Creep! He did that on purpose because he knew I was staring, which he makes even more obvious when he winks at me and, smiles, flashing his dimples, chuckling to himself. Smug bastard.

"Could you put on a shirt please?" I demand in a scathing tone. He cocks one of his eyebrows at me.

"Why? Am I distracting you? Or making you uncomfortable?" he counters in a low voice, taking a step closer to me. Suddenly his large presence seems to fill my small apartment making me feel confined.

"No!" I scoff, lying through my teeth. "I would appreciate it if you wouldn't walk around half naked. Even though McKinley isn't here right now, she will be soon and you have to get used to being fully clothed in front of my daughter." Ha, take that! I'm tempted to stick my tongue out at him. That was a good save on my part, even though McKinley's not the real reason I need him to put some clothes on. I think deep down we both know it.

"Right, Sure thing," he says clicking off the burner on the stove and runs to his room to put on a shirt. He comes back in the kitchen and starts fixing two plates. Doesn't the man have any damn shirts that fit? The light blue t-shirt he put on is like a second skin, and the color is doing tantalizing things to the flecks of blue in his gray eyes. I've got to get a grip on my libido. What is wrong with me? Am I getting close to my cycle?

I'm so wrapped up in my thoughts, that I didn't notice Hunter placing a plate of food in front of me. "Looks great," I compliment as he grabs a seat across from me. Not knowing what else to say, I dig into my breakfast.

The eggs are light and fluffy and the bacon crispy, just like I like it. I take a sip of the peppermint tea, my favorite, and it's got the perfect amount of sugar. I smile and sigh contentedly. I see a knowing smile across Hunter's face and my guard immediately goes up. He's buttering me up! Cooking me breakfast, making all the things I like, the way I like them. I narrow my eyes at him. I see you, Hunter Ewan Douglas.

"She's gorgeous, by the way. Your daughter, McKinley," he comments nodding to one of the many photos of McKinley around the apartment. "How old is she?" he asks.

"Five," I quietly respond. I see a flash of something in his eyes, but then it's gone.

Hunter stands up from the breakfast table and picks up a picture from the console table behind the couch. "Huh," He says with his hand to his chin rubbing across the new growth of blonde stubble there. "I know for a fact that you and I have never been intimate so I know she isn't mine." He pauses as if waiting for a response from me. When he sees that he won't be getting one he continues on.

"So let me see here. McKinley is five, probably closer to five-and-a-half, right?" his voice is tight as if he's reigning in his temper. His questions are rhetorical, so I don't even bother to answer.

"If I were a betting man I'd say she was conceived on, oh, let's say prom night six years ago!" he smacks his hand down on the table in front of me causing me to jump in fear. Hunter takes note of my reaction and backs away from the table, running his hands through his short hair a couple of times before he brings his emotions back under control.

"Was it that douchebag Jamie? Is he the father?" My eyes go wide with surprise, but I remain silent. "All these years I blamed myself for ruining what could have been between us. I tore myself up about it! And you!" He points his finger at me. "You blamed me too. You fucking hypocrite!" Hunter's yelling now and his face is red with anger.

"Hunter wait, I..." But he cuts me off.

"No, you listen. I was so fucking jealous that night, but also angry and hurt because you lead me to believe that we could have something together. You let me think that this Jamie character was a girl by the way you talked about him and the things you did together. Imagine my surprise when this good-looking dude walks in the door to take you to the prom. I was consumed with jealousy, but then I told myself that I needed to stop acting like an ass because Evie wouldn't do that to me. I even stayed up that night waiting for you to come home." He sighs, and then continues.

"I had decided it was time to come clean about my feelings for you. But the longer I waited, the more I drank, and by the time I crawled up the stairs drunk as a skunk around 3 o'clock in the morning, Crystal was waiting for me with open arms, and I went. Do you want to know why I went?" Hunter challenges me. With the tears in my eyes blurring my vision, I give him an almost imperceptible nod.

"I went because I knew, I just knew, that you were somewhere wrapped in Jamie's arms letting him love you the way I wanted to. And now I know that I was right," he states with certainty.

Done with his tirade, Hunter turns and walks into his room. He quietly closes the door behind him, leaving me alone in stunned silence.

Well, now I know exactly how things went down that night. But Hunter doesn't. Not by a long shot.

### Chapter 8

Hunter

I'm so angry with Evelynn right now that I had to get away from her. Not that I would hurt her. I would never hurt her. She's Evie, my sunshine. Despite everything, I know that I still love her.

I'm totally screwed.

I never meant to tell Evelynn about what happened between me and Crystal the night of Evie's Senior Prom. I mean, I'd planned to tell her, it's just that yelling and throwing around blame and accusations hadn't been in the plan. I lost my cool, but I'm calmer now.

Confirming that Evelynn slept with Jamie that night is like receiving a knife to the heart, and I'm still reeling from the attack. After all, I've been blaming myself for years for messing things up with Evie, and all, this time she was just as guilty as I was.

I've got to be real with myself, though. I never told Evie about my feelings for her, and we weren't dating at the time so it's not like she cheated on me. It must be the primitive caveman in me beating his chest in anger because I wasn't her first. I had no claim on her, no right to her innocence, but in my heart, I'd always felt that I'd be the man to witness Evie blossom from a girl into a woman in my arms. Even now the thought makes my heart constrict.

I have to get over myself. Evie slept with someone else and she's probably been with several someone else's since then. Oh God, I don't want to think about that either. I'm definitely the pot calling the kettle black on this one.

Even though Evelynn slept with Jamie, I slept with her sister on the same night. I'm the biggest ass in this scenario, hands down. Let's not even talk about all the meaningless sex with trashy women over the years.

And there it is. Every other woman has been meaningless; they meant absolutely nothing to me. It's always been Evelynn.

So now I have to fix this.

I'm lying on the double bed in the spare room with some extra soft, girly floral comforter underneath me, my arms propped behind my head and my legs crossed at the ankles, staring up at the ceiling in contemplation. First, I'll need to find a way apologize for my outburst earlier. The rest of it should be history. I mean we're even, right? Well, close enough anyway.

I hear the front door of the apartment open and close. I guess Evie decided to pick up McKinley early, or maybe she just needed to get away from me and get some fresh air. Either way, I now have the apartment to myself.

I open the bedroom door and peek out to check and see if the coast is clear, just in case. No inanimate objects come flying in my direction, so I guess I'm safe, for now.

Evie's apartment is...what's the nice word for small? Quaint, that's it. I can tell she hasn't lived here long because all of the walls are white and the only pictures around the place are family photos. In the living area there is a beige couch and chair with solid red pillows and a couple floral pillows. In the corner near the fireplace is a hideous floral chair. Oh, I see what she's done there − it matches the pillows on the couch. I guess that makes it a little better. Then there's a small eat-in kitchen with the round dining table we ate breakfast at this morning. Well, some breakfast, most of it's still sitting on the table.

I get to work, cleaning up the breakfast dishes and putting away the ingredients I left out. When I'm done, I find myself wandering down the small hallway past my bedroom toward the other two rooms. I already know that there's a hallway bath on the left side of the hall. That means that the room next to mine has to be McKinley's and the room at the end is Evie's.

I skip McKinley's room. I'll come back to it later. First I need to appease my curiosity. I turn the handle to Evelynn's room expecting it to be locked, but to my surprise it's not. The room smells like her, vanilla with just a hint of cinnamon and spice.

There's a Cherry-wood queen-sized sleigh bed with matching dresser and nightstand. And yep, everything in here is white, not just the walls this time, but the sheets, pillows and down comforter too. Well, that just knocked the wind out of my sail. Nothing exciting in here at all. Wait a minute, let me go check the nightstand.

I pause with my hand on the knob of the drawer. Should I be doing this? My conscience almost gets the best of me. Almost. I pull the drawer open and, nothing. I mean, not nothing, papers and crap, but nothing interesting. Isn't the nightstand where women keep their toys − at least, I thought they did − for easy access and all that. Hmmm, maybe she keeps them in her dresser.

I go through a couple of the top drawers of her dresser and what do I see? Nope, no toys, but there's a drawer full of sexy bras and panties. I pull out a pair of red lacy panties and twirl them around my finger by their thin straps. I hesitate as I contemplate what I'm about to do next because there's no doubt in my mind that I'm going to do it.

I bring the garment to my nose, close my eyes and sniff. It smells like laundry detergent. Of course it does. What the hell was I expecting to smell? Women don't put dirty underwear back in the drawer. I've been watching too much damn porn! I realize there's nothing to see in this room, so I put everything back the way I found it and close the door.

I walk back down the hall and stop at the door I skipped before. I open the door to McKinley's room and step into heaven for little girls. There's a white canopy bed with a lavender princess comforter to go along with the lavender walls.

It hasn't escaped my attention that Evie took the time to paint McKinley's room while every other room in the place is still white, including her own master bedroom. I continue my snooping. There are dolls and stuffed animals tucked into every corner of the room, and it smells like strawberries and cream in here.

I close my eyes because the smell brings back memories. What is it? I inhale again, this time, deeper. Strawberry shortcake! The smell reminds me of a Strawberry Shortcake doll that Evelynn had when she was a little girl. I smile to myself at the memory of me sneaking into Evie's room just so I could smell that damn doll.

Evelynn had written her name on the doll's backside so everyone would know it belonged to her and little shit that I was, I wrote my name on her too. Evie was so mad I'd thought she was going to cry, but instead she just told me that she would keep her forever so that I could come smell her anytime I wanted. I was a little embarrassed to find out that Evie knew my shameful secret, but she never told anyone.

Slowly opening my eyes, I look around the room again and I'll be damned if there isn't a Strawberry Shortcake doll on McKinley's bed. No wait, there are two of them.

I walk over to the bed and pick up the dolls, bring them to my nose and smell them. I go to lay them back on the bed and I can tell that one doll is much older than the other. It can't be. I turn the doll over and pull down her pink ruffled pants. Sure as shit, there's my name under Evie's. I feel a flutter in my chest. She kept it. All, this time, she kept it. Maybe there's hope for us after all.

### Chapter 9

Evelynn

I can't stand the silence in the apartment anymore. Hunter has jumped to some pretty ridiculous conclusions, gotten whatever it was he needed to get off his chest and then closeted himself in his room. He's left me alone to stew in my emotions.

I guess I could go bang on his door and demand he come out and let me say what it is I have to say. But I honestly don't know what I would say to him right now. I think I'll just walk a couple of blocks to Granny Mabel's house to pick up McKinley. That way I can talk to her on our way back to the apartment.

I look at the food getting cold in front of me, and the mess Hunter left in the kitchen. Screw it. I'll get to it later. Right now what I need is some fresh air to clear my head. I grab my purse, check to make sure I have my keys and cell phone, sling the bag over my shoulder and head out the door.

Crap, it's cold outside. I forgot that it's still early in the morning. I should have grabbed a light sweater. I realize now that my retreat from the apartment might have been just a tad bit hasty. Not only did I not consider a sweater I'm not exactly dressed to go outside of the house.

I'm wearing sweatpants, a white t-shirt and those funny snow-boot looking house shoes that all the ladies wear. I admit I'm a casual clothes kind of girl, but not this damn casual. Yep, fantastic, now I'm just like those women I talk smack about who parade around in public in their pajamas.

What's done is done, I refuse to walk to back to the apartment to change my clothes. As I walk along the sidewalks of small town California, I can hear the birds chirping in the trees and even though it's a little brisk outside it's still a beautiful sunny day.

I'm only about a block from my apartment building when I hear my phone ringing. Checking the caller ID, I see that it's Megan.

"Hey lady, what are you doing up so early in the a.m.?" I ask her.

Megan doesn't usually roll out of bed until after noon on weekends unless her apartment is on fire, and even then it would be questionable.

"I've had a hard time sleeping, I was worried about you. How did it go with Hunter?" She asks me sounding concerned. Awe, my tough as nails bestie really does care about me.

"Nothing happened last night. Trevor and Tony helped Hunter move some things into the apartment and I pretty much went straight to bed. I was emotionally drained," I explain as I continue walking down the street. "But, this morning when I woke up Hunter had made me a breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, and peppermint tea," I tell her.

"Wow, he's throwing out all the stops isn't he? Amazing that he knows exactly what you like." Megan observes.

"Yeah, well, after that is when everything took a left turn to crazy town. He started talking about the pictures of McKinley, about how pretty she was and how she looked like she could be our daughter. His and mine." Megan interrupts me.

"Well, is he the father?" she asks curiously. I sigh.

"Megan, Hunter and I have never had sex," is my sad response.

I look up and see that I've just about made it to Granny Mabel's front porch without even realizing it. This is one of the reasons I chose to move to Rosewood Apartments because it's within walking distance of Granny's house.

"Look, Megan, I hate to rush off the phone, but I was walking to Granny Mabel's house and I've just arrived to pick up McKinley. I'm going to talk to her about Hunter staying with us as we walk back to our apartment. I realize that you and Gina have a ton of questions, so I thought we could meet up tomorrow at a park or something, so McKinley can play while I give you and Gina the full story. 1 o'clock sound okay?" I ask her as I step up on the front porch of Granny's yellow, two-story, 1920's style home.

"Sounds great, I'll let Gina know. See you later, sweetie," she says and then she hangs up.

I ring Granny's doorbell even though I have a key to her house. Trevor opens the door wearing flannel pajama pants with a t-shirt, in his bare feet.

"Hey, baby sis, what's up?" He asks bringing me into a hug.

"Are you staying with Granny Mabel?" I ask in surprise. "Yeah, I'm only here for a couple of more days before I have to return to base, so I decided to stay with Granny. By the way, how did things go with Hunter?" He asks with a little grin.

I scowl at him. "Why couldn't Hunter just stay at Granny's too? Why insist he stay with me?" I know I'm whining, but I don't care. I hate drama, and Trevor has wrapped a big boat load of drama in a fancy little bow and dropped it at my front door in the form of Hunter Douglas.

"Because this is how it has to be. Look, Evie, whatever it is that Hunter did, or you did, I don't know which of you the guilty party is. Either way, it doesn't matter. I'm going to take a wild guess and say somebody got their feelings hurt. He's miserable, you're miserable. It's time to grow the hell up and talk things out. We've all been through too much together to let hurt feelings tear us apart."

"You don't know what you're talking about, Trevor," I say with a hiss.

"Well then, enlighten me, Evie." I just give him an icy glare "Yeah, that's what I thought. You and Hunter are keeping secrets, but I see you. I see you both."

McKinley comes barreling down the stairs and throws herself into my arms. "Momma, Momma Uncle Trevor's here and we stayed up and ate popcorn and watched movies till Uncle Trevor fell asleep on the couch. He says he fell asleep because he was tired from helping his friend move," She says excitedly and then leans over and says in a stage whisper "But I think it's 'cause he's old," she giggles.

Granny Mabel slowly shuffles down the stairs in her pink slippers and matching housecoat, her gray hair in curlers and wrapped up in a checkered silk scarf. "Come on in here McKinley, and get some breakfast before your Momma takes you home," she grumbles as she ushers McKinley into the kitchen.

"Guess you'll just have to have some cereal. Granny was going to make you some hotcakes but some people don't know how to show up at a person's house at a decent hour," she insinuates, giving me the evil eye.

"I'm sorry Granny, I just really needed to get out of the house," I say, looking down at my slipper-covered feet.

"Umhmm, I could tell," she says eyeing my ensemble. She sits McKinley down at the kitchen table and pours her a bowl of some sugar coated cereal. "You eat your breakfast while me and your Momma go have a talk," She tells McKinley.

Trevor fixes himself some cereal and sits down to have breakfast with McKinley as Granny Mabel gently grasps me by the elbow and steers me towards the living room. She sits down on the couch and pulls me down with her. She wraps one arm around me and pulls my head to her chest. She's holding me like she did when I was a little girl and, I'm surprised by the gesture but then I relax and allow myself to be comforted.

I must look worse than I feel if Granny could tell that I needed a hug. "Feel better now?" She asks, stroking my hair.

"A little bit," I say quietly.

"Evie, sweetheart, it's time to come clean." I lift my head off her chest and look at her in confusion. "Now don't look at me like that, like you don't know what I'm talking about. It's time for you to tell Hunter everything. All this anger is just eating you up inside," she says placing her hand over my heart. I jerk away in anger

"What the hell do you know about it?" I shout.

"Girl, don't you sass me. I'll knock you into Kingdom Come, I don't care how grown you think you are," she yells at me. I don't what the hell came over me, I know better than to mouth off to Granny, let's just call it temporary insanity.

"I'm so sorry Granny, I'm just not myself," I apologize.

"I know it, and that's the only reason you ain't picking your teeth up off the floor right now," she smiles a little to take some of the bite out of her words. She looks at me in earnest, her wrinkled chocolate face shrouded in concern.

"I know it's hard Evie, but you've got to forgive her. Don't look at me like that. I know more than you think I know. I loved Crystal, same as I love you and Trevor, but I knew how she was. I'm not blind. And I know that Hunter isn't completely innocent in all this Evie, but he deserves the truth. I'm gonna let it alone for now, but you think on that." She pats my hand, kisses me on the cheek, then stands up and walks back into the kitchen.

I'm sitting here feeling ambushed. First Trevor, then Hunter and now my own Granny. Forgiveness? The past five years of my life have been about nothing but forgiveness.

Hunter is in my apartment as we speak, still breathing, might I add. Is that not forgiveness? Besides, Hunter's never asked for my forgiveness. Plus, forgiving doesn't mean forgetting.

Granny did get one part wrong, I've forgiven Crystal. I forgave Crystal the day that McKinley was born. I looked into McKinley's innocent face with her big beautiful eyes and tawny skin, and I was so filled with love that there was no longer any room for hate, and that's the day that forgiveness was born.

I hear McKinley and Trevor laughing in the kitchen, so I put a stop to my pity party, pull myself up off the couch and head in the kitchen. McKinley's still wearing her footsie pajamas, her little legs swinging back and forth in the chair. She looks up at me as I grab a seat at the table. Her sandy-blonde pigtails are frizzy with some rogue curls escaping here and there.

"Momma, are you here for a sleepover too? Is that why you're wearing your jammies? Wait, did you walk here in your jammies Momma? Can I walk home in my Jammies too?" She asks bouncing in her chair, excited at the prospect of walking home in her pj's. Trevor's chuckling and waiting for me to respond to at least one of the questions McKinley is hurling at me.

"These aren't exactly pajamas, sweet pea. They're more like lounging clothes. While you wouldn't want to wear them outside everyday, they're perfectly acceptable every once in a while," I reply off the cuff. I'm trying not to smile while McKinley is scrutinizing me with a look of doubt on her face, then she sighs. "I guess that means I can't wear my jammies home, huh?" She says. It's more of a statement than a question and Trevor and I both look at each other and start laughing. This kid is too smart for her own good.

"Put your bowl in the sink and then run upstairs and put your clothes on," I tell her in the form of an answer to her question. She pokes out her bottom lip and drags her feet as she heads for the stairs.

"So you got any plans for this weekend? Hanging out with your friends or anything?" Trevor asks me while we wait on McKinley.

"Yeah, Gina and Megan are going to meet me at the park tomorrow so we can hang out while McKinney plays," I answer.

"So, Megan, that's the redhead right?" I give him a questioning look.

"Yeah. Why? You interested?" I ask him suspiciously.

"Naw, naw, that's not it at all. I was just trying to keep it straight in my head because my boy Tony was interested in the other one," he responds, deflecting.

Hmm, interesting. Megan might actually be the kind of girl Trevor needs. My brother is a ladies man, all day every day. The women are drawn to his good looks and charm. He's got the same caramel complexion as me, but he's got golden brown eyes and loose curls, when he's not sporting his military buzz cut, unlike my dark brown eyes and ringlet type of curls. He's at least 6', with a sinewy muscular physique instead of a more beefy build like Hunter.

Megan wouldn't be susceptible to his charm. She might actually knock him down a peg or two. I smile at the thought of that. That would be just what he deserves, always toying with girls hearts the way he does. But I'd hate to see things turn sour between my best friend and my brother, as they're destined to do knowing my brother's playboy ways.

"Tell Tony I can give him Gina's number if he wants," I say with a knowing smile.

"Nah, that's alright. He can handle his own love connection if he's interested enough," he replies, brushing off my offer.

Yep, that's what I thought; this whole thing was really about him wanting to run into Megan again. I wonder what she did to catch his attention last night while I was in the bathroom? Eh, doesn't matter, because I'm not touching that one with a ten-foot-pole.

I see that McKinley's ready to go wearing her blue jeans, a pink shirt, and her favorite light-up sneakers. Her pigtails are now neatly combed. Granny Mabel must have brushed her hair while she was upstairs. "Come on sweetheart put your sweater on, it's cold outside," I say, holding out her small white knit sweater.

"But you're not wearing a sweater, Mom," she points out.

"Well, then I guess you're the lucky one, because you get to be all snuggly warm while Mommy's all cold, because she forgot her jacket," I tweak her nose. I don't see Trevor or Granny Mabel, so I call out to them. "Bye Trevor, bye Granny. Thanks for watching McKinley for me."

McKinley and I walk home holding hands and McKinley is softly humming 'Mary had a little Lamb', as we swing our hands between us.

"Hey sweetie, did Uncle Trevor tell you about his friend Hunter?" I tentatively ask her.

"No. He has a friend that's a Hunter?" she asks with interest. I laugh.

"No McKinley, his friend's name is Hunter," I tell her.

"Ohhh. No, he didn't. Is that the friend he helped move last night?" she inquires putting two and two together.

"Yes exactly. So you see, Uncle Trevor has this friend named Hunter and he needed a place to stay so Uncle Trevor asked me if he could stay with us in the spare bedroom until Hunter can find his own place. Last night Uncle Trevor was helping Hunter move his stuff into our apartment," I pause waiting for her reaction.

"So Hunter is Uncle Trevor's friend and your friend too? Like Auntie Gina, Auntie Megan and Uncle Jamie?" She asks.

"Yes, baby. Just like that," I confirm.

"Yay! Maybe he can be my friend too, and take me to the park and play with me just like Uncle Jamie does sometimes," she exclaims dropping my hand and skipping ahead.

### Chapter 10

Hunter

I'm walking out of McKinley's room when I hear keys jingling in the front door. Shit! She wasn't gone very long. I run, jump over the back of the couch and grab the remote, simultaneously turning the TV on as I land on the cushions.

"Hey Hunter, we're back," Evelynn announces as they come through the door.

"Hey there, I was just relaxing watching some TV," I lie trying to disguise the fact I'm out of breath after running and hurdling over the couch like some Olympic athlete. This shit would be funny if I wasn't almost caught red-handed snooping through her apartment.

I get up and walk around the back of the couch to present myself to McKinley. I don't know what to do here. I'm completely out of my element since I haven't really dealt with kids before. I rub my hand on the back of my neck then stick out my other hand for a handshake.

"Hi there. I'm Hunter," I introduce myself in a quiet voice as if she's some sort of skittish animal. McKinley smiles and bypassing my outstretched arm she jumps into my arms, hugging me. I'm startled but I react quickly enough to catch her before she falls, and hug her back.

"Hi Hunter, I'm McKinley. My Momma told me that you're Uncle Trevor's friend and you're staying with us. I think we're going to be friends. Do you want to be my friend? I want to be your friend. You sure are pretty." She says all this in a rush and touches my face as she calls me pretty. I'm totally smitten. She's absolutely adorable and obviously very affectionate.

"Honey, stop smothering Hunter. And boys do not like to be called pretty McKinley, it insults their manhood," Evie warns her, chuckling to herself. She's right about that. I wouldn't want to be called pretty by anybody else, but I'll let it slide for McKinley. Something about this little girl tugs at my heart strings. It's probably because she's a part of Evelynn. I realize I'm still holding McKinley and gently set her on the ground.

"Yes McKinley, I'd like to be your friend. I think we'll become great friends, and I think you're pretty too," I tell her with a wink and a smile. She giggles and runs back to Evelynn.

"Momma, can I go in my room and color?" She looks up at Evelynn with her big eyes. "Yes baby, just don't color on the walls, okay?" she says as she brushes the hair back from McKinley's face and kisses her on the forehead.

Watching her interaction with her daughter stirs a longing in my chest. I want to see Evelynn looking upon our children with love someday. But first things first, I've got to get her to fall in love with me.

"Do you mind if we talk for a minute?" I ask patting the seat next to me.

Instead, she sits in the sofa chair across from me pulling a red throw pillow from behind her, folding her legs under her and hugging the pillow to her chest. After she's settled, she looks at me in expectation. I'm always stunned by her natural beauty; even in her pajama's with no makeup, she's pretty. Wait. What? Was she walking around town in her pajamas? I feel like a jerk. I've got Evie so on edge she doesn't know which way is up.

"I just want to apologize for blowing up at you earlier. That's not the way I'd planned to handle things. I want us to be able to finally talk things out in a civilized manner. I know that now isn't the time with McKinley in the other room, but I was thinking one day this week or next weekend when you're not working we could ask Granny Mabel to watch her. We can discuss everything over dinner here at the apartment, and say everything we need to say without an audience. Hell, I'll even cook the dinner," I say persuasively. She's looking down at the pillow in her lap, biting her lower lip, contemplating my offer.

"That sounds reasonable," she finally replies.

"Good. Do you still love lasagna?" I ask. I notice her eyes widen in surprise and she nods her head. "Okay. Well, now that that's settled I need to run to the store and get a few items. I noticed you're low on milk. Is there anything else you need while I'm out?" I ask.

"No, I'm good. Thanks." She says quietly. I grab my car keys and the key to the apartment that Trevor gave me and head out the door.

### Chapter 11

Evelynn

I'm so glad McKinley seems to like Hunter. It wouldn't bode well if she didn't like him, but I should have known better, because she such a sweet, loving little girl and she took to him just like a bee to honey.

Needless to say, I was surprised when Hunter apologized for his behavior earlier this morning. I was even more surprised when he suggested getting together for dinner and talking things out. It will give us an opportunity to sit down and really talk. I'm actually hopeful that we can figure out a way to get past our issues.

For the first time in a long time, I don't feel hurt or angry thinking of Hunter. I think seeing him and talking to him now makes that day seem so long ago. Maybe it's because he's a man now and different from the young boy I once knew. Or maybe it's the fact that Crystal's gone that negates my anger too.

I'm older, and I'd like to believe at least a little wiser than I once was. I think I might be ready to let go of the past and move forward, even if moving forward doesn't include Hunter being in my life.

### **********

I didn't see Hunter again before I went to bed, but when I woke up this morning there was a fresh carton of milk in the fridge so he must have gotten home late last night.

I wonder if he's seeing someone? Then why is he staying with me? Maybe he doesn't want to rush things with his girlfriend. He better not be seeing some skank while he's living under my roof! I've got to get a grip. That sounded a little too much like jealousy towards an imaginary girlfriend.

It's a 12:45 on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, not a cloud in the sky. I'm sitting on a bench in the neighborhood park, waiting for Gina and Megan to show up. Speak of the devil. There's Gina looking as elegant as ever, in a blue and white polka-dotted sundress and ballet flats, she's got that 50's housewife look down to a tee, including the bright red lipstick. I'm also sporting ballet flats, but mine is paired with jeans and a red cotton tee. I stand up to give her a hug.

"Hi, thanks for coming," I tell her. "As you can see, Megan isn't here yet," I gesture towards the bench, pointing out the obvious.

"Where's McKinley?" she asks scanning the playground.

"She's over there playing with another little girl on the swings," I say, pointing her out as Gina takes a seat next to me.

As per our usual playdate-at-the-park agreement, I reach over to the other side of the bench and grab a plastic cup and hand it to her. "Your Chai tea, Princess," I say playfully.

"Hey, where's mine?" I hear coming from behind me. I turn to see Megan standing with her hands on her hips and an exaggerated pout on her lips. She's dressed similarly to me with denim capris, a striped tee and flip-flops.

"Here's your Iced Mocha Latte, milady," I announce, making a sweeping gesture towards the cup.

Megan grabs the cup and plops down on the other side of me. "Alright you silly goose, spill the beans," She demands, cutting to the chase.

Where to begin?

"So, as I started to tell Gina the other day. When Hunter found out how old McKinley is, he jumped to conclusions and accused me of getting pregnant by Jamie on prom night. He feels that I somehow tricked him into thinking Jamie was a girl and led him on by letting him believe that he and I could someday be more than just friends." I pause, looking back and forth between the two of them.

"Jamie? Our Jamie? Jamie Thompson?" Megan bursts out incredulously. "You have got to be kidding me, right? Men are so fucking stupid! And I bet if you told him that there was nothing between you and Jamie, and there never was, he wouldn't believe you because that's just how pig-headed men are. When they get some cockamamie idea in their head, they stick to it like spiders stick to walls!"

Wow, that sounded personal. I mean I agree, but was she talking about my situation, or one of her own? Before I get a chance to ask, she continues on.

"I know exactly what you need to do. Most men need to see things before they believe them. There's no denying the proof when it's right in front of your eyes. So what you need to do is invite Jamie over for dinner and make sure Hunter is there." Megan rubs her hands together and then throws them in the air as if releasing invisible doves. "Voila, problem solved," She finishes.

I have to admit her idea does have merit. "You know what? That's a great idea. I'm going to do it. As a matter of fact, I'll call Jamie right now and set it up." I stand up and walk over to a nearby tree while Megan and Gina talk amongst themselves. I set up a dinner date with Jamie for 5 o'clock tomorrow night at my place.

When I complete the call, I see Gina and Megan looking at me questioningly. "It's all settled." I inform them as I walk back over to the bench and squeeze in between them into my original spot.

"So, here's the thing," Gina says quietly, looking down at her hands as she picks at her red fingernails. She peeks up at me. "If Hunter isn't McKinley's father and we know Jamie isn't the father. Who is?" I sigh.

It's time to tell my best friend's the whole sordid truth and nothing but the truth.

### Chapter 12

Hunter

Evelynn and McKinley have been at the park for the past few hours. I've just been in my room unpacking my clothes and the few other items I brought with me. All my other stuff is in a storage unit not far from Evie's apartment.

Last night I went out to buy some razors, shaving cream, and milk, but when I left the apartment I wasn't in any hurry to get back and deal with the uncomfortable silences between me and Evie. I decided to hit up Tony and see what he was doing.

He's staying at a hotel here in town, so we hung out, ordered pizza, watched a football game and had a couple of beers. After I left Tony's place I went to the store and picked up the items I needed. By the time I got back to the apartment Evie and McKinley were in bed asleep and that was just fine by me.

McKinley comes barging into the room. Well, I guess that means they're back from the park.

"Hunter, Hunter! Guess what? Momma took me to the park and Auntie Gina and Auntie Megan was there. Auntie Gina pushed me on the swing and Auntie Megan bought me a popsicle from the ice cream man. And guess what? I got her to get you one too," She says excitedly pulling a popsicle from behind her back. I think my heart just melted.

"McKinley, sweetie, come put that popsicle in the freezer. I'm sure Hunter doesn't want it right now," says Evie from the kitchen. She's right, I don't, but seeing McKinley's little face fall I quickly grab the popsicle from her.

"Of course I do!" I say enthusiastically as I devour it in two bites while half smiling, half grimacing. Evie is standing in the doorway behind McKinley laughing at me as I suffer through my brain freeze. I turn to McKinley.

"That was delicious. Thanks, sunshine," I thank her. She flashes a megawatt smile and skips out of the room past her mother who's stuck in the doorway looking like she just saw a ghost.

Oh, crap. I know what I did. I called McKinley 'sunshine,' the nickname I had given Evie as a little girl. I don't know what made me do it. I guess her bright smile reminded me of Evelynn.

I can't tell if Evelynn's happy or upset. Either way, she says nothing. She just turns around and heads into the kitchen. I follow her. I don't see McKinley, so I guess she went to her room to play.

"I hope you're not planning on cooking dinner tonight," I comment as she's perusing the contents of the refrigerator. "Trevor brought over a pot roast while you were gone, courtesy of Granny Mabel."

"Yum, that's great. Speaking of dinner, I'm having a friend over for dinner tomorrow night and I'd like it if you would join us," she says closing the refrigerator door. She's smiling at me waiting for a response.

I'd do anything if it would make her happy. All I know is it better not be some dude she's dating. I'd do anything for love, but I won't so that. Oh yeah, I love that song. I close my eyes and start humming it to myself.

Evelynn clears her throat and I open my eyes to see her standing with her hands on her hips, looking at me like I just grew two heads.

"What?" I ask confused.

"Dinner? Tomorrow? Yes or no?" She annunciates each word as if I'm slow or something, which I really can't blame her because I totally just had a squirrel moment.

"Yes, to dinner tomorrow. What time?" I ask.

"5 o'clock," she says.

"Okay, I'll be here," I confirm.

We eat Granny Mabel's pot roast for dinner, and McKinley keeps things lively with her million and one questions. I can tell that Evie sometimes gets tired of all the questions, but she always shows patience with her little girl.

After dinner, McKinley asks if Evie will watch a Pretty Pretty Princess movie with her, and they settle down on the couch. And that's my cue to exit stage left. Pretty Pretty Princess? I don't think so. But as I look back at them on the couch, I envy their special time together.

I change into some basketball shorts and a t-shirt in my room and watch a little TV. I'm watching some re-runs and starting to doze. Maybe I'll go see what they're up to.

They've fallen asleep on the couch together. McKinley has her thumb in her mouth while Evie's mouth is hanging open with just a little drool coming down the side. I whip my cell phone out of my pocket. This is a Kodak moment if there ever was one. I sneak a few pictures and slide my phone back into my pocket.

McKinley's in her pj's and Evie's wearing yoga pants and a white t-shirt. At some point in the evening, they must have paused the movie and gotten ready for bed. I scoop McKinley up and she barely stirs as I carry her to her room and tuck her into bed, placing a feather light kiss on her forehead.

Now on to Evie. There's no way I can carry her to bed without waking her up. I squat down in front of her. She looks so peaceful. Her pouty red lips are pursed and they look absolutely edible. I can't help myself as I lean in to steal a little kiss.

"Mmmmm. Hunter," she whispers against my lips. I can tell she's more than half asleep when she reaches an arm around my neck and brings me into what was meant to be an innocent kiss. I nibble on the fullness of her bottom lip and then I kiss both of her lips, licking the seam, silently requesting access to her mouth with my tongue. She slowly rises up from her laying position and I slide onto the couch next to her, our lips never breaking contact. She's moaning and running her fingers through my hair and, I know that she's fully awake now.

Her lips taste like honey and I can't get enough of them. I continue ravishing her mouth as I slowly maneuver her until she's straddling me so I can gain better access to her lips. I can tell the moment she feels my erection rubbing against her, she pauses and her head tips back just a little. Placing my hands on her hips, I take advantage of her position and kiss her under her chin, then on the side of her neck. Her hips start to rock back and forth over my cock. I swirl my tongue around near her clavicle.

She's arching her back towards me. I can feel her womanly heat enveloping my shaft through our thin layers of clothing. I slowly run my hands up the sides of her waist, all the while lavishing her neck with kisses. I brush my large hands along the sides of her breasts and hear her shallow breathing as she waits in anticipation.

I don't make her wait long as I cup her right breast in the palm of my hand and gently squeeze her nipple. She gasps as I roll the hardened bud between the pads of my fingers through her shirt. Her hips are sliding mercilessly against my cock now. She looks down at me like she needs something, but she's not quite sure what it is. I slide my hands away from her breast back down her waist because I know what she needs, even if she doesn't.

I gently grip her hips with my fingers and control her movements, rocking her hips back and forth in a steady motion as my cock slides across her slit. I tilt my hips up to make sure my tip hits her clit. She bites her lower lip and throws back her head as she moans. That's my cue to increase the friction, so I begin bucking my hips up and down as fast as I can from my position making sure I hit the center of her pleasure with every thrust. I can feel her moisture seeping through her pants and I know that she's close to cumming. Suddenly I feel her tense and I reach up and gently pinch both of her nipples, I smother her mouth with a kiss in an effort to muffle her scream as she shatters in my arms.

I'm aroused by the whole fucking experience but the look on her face when she cums sends me over the edge and I bust a nut in my underwear like a teenage boy getting his first piece of ass. Still, I continue to thrust to help prolong her orgasm and I only stop when I see she's ridden out the last waves of pleasure.

When the notorious dust settles Evie looks mortified. Not exactly the reaction I was hoping for.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry. I never meant for this to happen." She says crushing my ego. She runs to her bedroom, locking the door behind her.

### Chapter 13

Evelynn

It's Monday morning and I'm getting dressed and ready for work. I can't believe what happened last night. I was dreaming of Hunter, as I sometimes do. I was kissing his sexy lips and it felt so real that I wanted more so I reached for him to draw him closer and that little voice inside my head told me to open my eyes. And there he was, the star of my wet dreams, kissing me − not dream Hunter, but real flesh and bone hotter than hell, Hunter Douglas. For the briefest of moments, I told myself to push him away, but instead I pulled him closer.

I'm upset about the encounter, but I'm not. If that makes any sense. I'm not upset because it was the sexiest thing that's ever happened to me. I'm still tingling and getting moist in my intimate place just thinking about it.

And therein lays the problem. How am I going to be able to walk away from Hunter? Hell, he gave me an orgasm without even touching me skin to skin, with the exception of our lips. I didn't even know that was possible. Not for me anyway. And now that I've had a small appetizer, I want the whole damn entrée.

Now that we've crossed that line, is Hunter automatically going to expect more? I want more too. I mean my body wants more, but my brain is telling me that it's not such a good idea, especially since we haven't even addressed our issues yet. Being around him is going to be more difficult than it already is. I already lust after him. Who wouldn't? He's absolutely gorgeous. But now that I know what his hands and his lips are capable of, he just might become an obsession. Ha! Listen to me babbling like a crackhead. One little taste and I'm all strung out. I'm an independent woman; I don't need dick to survive.

I yank my black slacks up so hard I hear something rip. Dammit, I tore the crotch. I throw the damaged pants across my bed and grab a black pencil skirt instead. One last glance in the mirror and I'm ready to go.

As I walk out of my room, I see that Hunter has given McKinley a bowl of cereal and he's sitting down with her while he drinks his coffee. His eyes sweep over my body and I control the delicious shiver that wants to race through me at his blatant perusal.

Ignoring the gleam in his silvery eyes, I say to McKinley "Hurry up honey, Mommy's got to get to work." She starts shoveling her cereal faster in response.

"Isn't it a little early for school?" Hunter asks.

"Yes, school starts at 8 o'clock in the morning, but I have to be at work by 7 o'clock, so I drop McKinley off at the before school program that the school offers. In the evenings, she goes to after school care for an hour or more, so that I can squeeze in some gym time." I explain to him, sliding my hands over my flared hips self-consciously as I say the last part.

"That costs money, right? Why don't you let me drop her off at school? I don't have to be at work till 8:30, and the hospital's only a few minutes away. I can't pick her up in the afternoon because I'll still be working, but at least you could save a little money." He pauses before he adds, " And I hope you're going to the gym for your health and not to change your appearance, because I like you just the way you are." He says eyes boring into mine while he licks his lower lip, and I know he's thinking about his large hands palming my D-cup sized breasts.

See? I knew it. I need to get away from this man before I throw myself at him and beg him to take me on the floor. But before I run, I need to address what he just asked me.

"That's kind of you to offer but I'd rather keep our routine, because you won't always be here to help us out," I tell him. I can tell that he's a little hurt by my response, but I can't let him disrupt our lives any more than he already has just so he can turn around and run away when things get hairy. Been there done that.

"Ok, well, have a great day Evie and you too McKinley," he says as he brushes his hand over McKinley's hair.

### Chapter 14

Hunter

That was brutal. I knew things would be awkward with sexual tension this morning. But what I didn't expect was Evie's response to me asking to take McKinley to school. I just wanted to help. I know it's got to be hard raising a kid by yourself. But I get it. She doesn't trust me. She's expecting me to turn tail and run the next time something goes wrong. Can't say that I blame her given my track record, but it still stung to hear the words out loud. But that's why I'm here. I'm not running anymore. I could have gone anywhere in the world when I got out of the military, but I came back to small town California − back to Evie, back to my heart.

Now that I've finally tasted Evelynn's honeyed lips, heard her breathless moans and felt her body quiver with ecstasy, I'd chew off my right arm before I leave her behind. I knew that things between us would be good, but damn. There's chemistry with Evie that I've never felt with anyone else.

It upsets me to see that she's self-conscious about her body. Evie has had curves ever since she hit puberty. It was like she grew breasts overnight, but she has a small waist that flares out at her hips, in the perfect hourglass figure. I wish she could see herself the way I see her. I crave that woman.

I'm getting a tour of the hospital where I'll be working as a Paramedic today. I've already completed the training necessary to become licensed in California. Heck, it was a breeze after being a combat medic in the Army. The pay isn't the greatest in the world but with the military disability check I'll be getting every month, I'll be looking pretty good. Which reminds me, I need to give Evie my half of the rent.

As I head out of the apartment and lock the door behind me, I remember that I'm supposed to be home in time for a dinner with Evie's mystery guest. I'm not looking forward to this at all.

### **********

When I get home it's already 6:45. I see that Trevor, Tony, and Granny Mabel are here, sitting in the living area talking, but there's no one else besides Evelynn and McKinley. The other people or person hasn't arrived yet. I quickly greet everyone and dash into my room to change out of my work uniform before dinner starts.

As I'm walking back to the living area there's a knock at the door. Since I'm the closest one to it I decide to answer it. I open the door and who do I see before me? None other than that douchebag Jamie. What kind of bullshit game is this?

"Hey man, long time no see. Hunter, right?" Douchebag says as he gives me the bro side-hug like we're long lost friends. He looks almost the same as the last time I saw him, except he's got more of a pretty-boy-look going on. He hands me a bottle of red wine. I must look confused because he comments.

"Sorry, Sam couldn't make it and sent this instead, because it's Evie's favorite," he says by way of explanation.

Oh, I see. Pretty boy's girlfriend couldn't make it tonight and sent a bottle of wine as an apology. I don't know why Evelynn feels it necessary to show me that Jamie has a girlfriend. Hell, I didn't even know the two of them were still friends. I could have gone the rest of my life content to never lay eyes on this dude again. Maybe she wants us to get along because they're friends and she hopes Jamie and I can be friends. Yeah right, when hell freezes over. She doesn't need to know that, though, so let me just get this joke of a dinner over with.

Evelynn's in the kitchen boiling pasta and sautéing shrimp. I can smell garlic bread heating in the oven. I come up behind her, lean over and say softly in her ear "Can I help you with anything?" I can see goosebumps appear on her neck. Oh yeah, she still wants me, I smile to myself.

"No, I'm good. You can just go mingle while I finish up her, but thanks for asking," she responds.

I go sit on the couch next to Granny Mabel. "It's so nice of Evie to have this little get-together before Trevor and Tony leave in a couple of days." I nod as if agreeing with Granny's comment. I didn't even think of that. Evie might be doing this for her brother and it has nothing to do with me. I'm such a conceited ass.

"Jamie was just telling us that he's thinking about getting a personal trainer so that he can bulk up a little. I told him he should talk to you since you're all muscled up." Granny informs me as she pats my arm.

"See look at these muscles, Jamie," Granny says pulling up the sleeve of my short sleeved polo shirt.

"Oh, believe me, I'm looking," Jamie replies with a little laugh. What the hell? I look at Trevor and he's practically spitting out his drink trying not to laugh.

"Now, now Jamie. Don't make me tell Sam on you," Granny Mabel teases him. "Oh, Sam knows better. He knows I only look, don't touch," Jamie wags his finger back and forth eyeing my body and laughs. Granny laughs with him.

What the fuck? I feel like I just stepped into an episode of the damn Twilight Zone. How did I miss this? I'd like to think I'm a pretty perceptive guy, but this went completely over my head. Jamie is gay. I would hazard a guess and say he's always been that way. Most people don't wake up one day and say, 'You know what? I think I'll be gay from now on.' And that means that he's not McKinley's father. It would also be the reason that Evie always talked about Jamie like he was a girl. She sees Jamie the way he sees himself.

Everything that Evelynn has done has been completely straightforward and without malice. I let the green-eyed monster blind me from the truth. Once again I'm the bad guy. All those horrible things I said to her, and she didn't even try to defend herself.

Oh, no, but I guess she did come to her own defense. The defense is sitting right here licking his chops at me. Where does this leave me? Just tell her I'm sorry for sleeping with her sister and ask her to forgive me? That doesn't seem to be good enough, especially since I tried to shift the blame. I've got to do something to make it all right again. And if Jamie isn't McKinley's father then who is?

### Chapter 15

Evelynn

Everything went better than expected at dinner last night. Hunter didn't look too happy when he opened the door and found Jamie on the other side. He was cordial, but I could tell he couldn't wait for the night to be over.

I saw the exact moment when Hunter realized that Jamie is gay, and it took everything in me not to laugh. After that, everything went smoothly. Much better than I had anticipated and by the end of the night, it seemed like Hunter and Jamie could one day be friends.

I don't know what was going through Hunter's head, because although he laughed and talked to everyone else, he barely said three words to me after asking to help me in the kitchen.

After everyone left, he silently helped me clean up the mess and then we went to bed − in our own separate beds. He hasn't come out of his room yet this morning and it's almost time for me to leave for work. I know he must be wondering who McKinley's father is, since he now knows that it's not Jamie. I knew that this was going to happen, and I'm bracing myself for the conversation that's sure to come. But right now I've got to get McKinley to school and myself to work.

### **********

When I get home from work, I see an envelope on the console table with my name written in Hunter's chicken scratch with a little sun at the end. I smile to myself as I open it. Inside is Hunter's half of the rent.

Sunshine,

Here's my portion of this months and next month's rent. I'm sorry to leave you like this but I have some things I need to take care of on my own. I'll give you a call soon. Give McKinley a kiss for me.

Hunter

Hunter is running again. He says he'll be back but I'll believe it when I see it. I walk over to his room and open the door. All his stuff is gone. I blame Trevor for this. He forced Hunter on me and now Hunter's gone again. I knew I shouldn't have let him stay with me. That's what I get for letting him in again. The only upside to this is that I'm less emotional this time. I mean, don't get me wrong, this hurts, but not to the magnitude of watching-the-man-you-love-screw-your-sister kind of hurt.

McKinley comes to where I'm standing in Hunter's bedroom doorway. "Momma, where'd Hunter go?" She asks with confusion in her eyes.

"I don't know sweet pea, but he told me to give you this," I tell her as I give her a kiss on the forehead. She looks at me, gives me a small smile and a hug.

"Don't worry, Momma. He'll be back. I just know it," she assures me.

### Chapter 16

Hunter

The dinner party was actually fun after I allowed myself to relax. Jamie Thompson − I finally got the dudes last name − isn't such a douchebag after all. Between Tony and Granny Mabel's off-the-wall comments, I've never laughed so much in my life.

I didn't know what to say to Evelynn. So I didn't say anything at all.

I'm having a revelation about myself and I don't like what I see. There are some things I need to take care of before I can be the man Evie and McKinley need me to be. But first I need to get something that was left at Granny Mabel's house. I hop into my black American brand pickup truck and head over to her house.

I ring the doorbell and Trevor answers. "Oh hey man, what's up? I was just heading out," He says to me.

"That's cool, I'm just here to pick something up, but since I have you here I have a question," I reply.

"Shoot," he says.

"How long have you known that Jamie is gay?" I ask him straight out.

"Hell man, since the night he and Evie went to prom. It was his mannerisms and the way he answered my questions, that's why I didn't wait up for Evie to come home that night. Granny Mabel must have always known," He laughs, shaking his head. "Why? Is that what your big fall out with Evie was all about?" He questions me.

"No. I wish it were that simple. I don't want to hold you up from wherever you're going, but hit me up before you leave town, okay?"

"Sure thing." He heads out the door closing it behind him.

I don't know if Granny Mabel's home or not, so I call out her name, in case she is. I don't want to startle her. I get no response, so I head up the stairs to Evie's old room. Her room is exactly the way I remember it, with pale yellow walls, matching twin beds with white metal frames on each side of the room and a white wooden dresser with mirror in between. I walk over to the dresser and I see all of her old fingernail polishes and perfumes. Not a lot of makeup, because my Evie's a natural beauty and always has been. I see her small pink jewelry box and I open it. The little ballerina pops out, spinning around to the music.

"Hey boy, what are you doing?" Granny asks, scaring the bejesus out of me.

"Whoa, Granny you almost scared me to death, I didn't know you were home," I respond with my hand over my racing heart.

"What are you doing, Hunter? Are you running again?" I look at her confused. I don't know what she's insinuating. "You know, for someone whose job it is to run to people and save them, your sure do a lot of running away in your personal life. First, you couldn't wait till Evelynn turned eighteen, so you ran away and joined the military." She starts ticking off my misdeeds on her fingers, "Then you come home and mess things up by sleeping with Crystal, and run away again, leaving a mess for Evie to take care of.

"Oh, don't look so surprised. I know all about you and Crystal and don't go thinking Evelynn told me. I got eyes boy. I didn't get to be seventy-five years old by walking through life with my eyes closed. I also know you love my Evie, it's as plain as the nose on your face. Always has been. I know you messed up, you know you messed up. So what are you going to do about it now?" She throws all of that at me without pause. Leave it to Granny to shoot straight from the motherfucking hip.

"Look, Granny Mabel, I've gotta go. But please, believe me when I tell you I'm not running anymore, I'm trying to make it right." I kiss her on the cheek and run down the stairs and out the front door. I got what I came here for. But now Granny Mabel's speech has put a bug in my ear, and I have a few stops to make on the road to redemption.

### ********

Something Granny said has me thinking, and as I walk through the dew-covered grass, with a bouquet of flowers in my hand. I'm nervous. I don't know what I hope is going to happen. Forgiveness? Closure? All I know is that I need to do this and it's long overdue. I think I'm getting closer to where she is, but I'm not sure because everything looks the same, and then I see it.

_In loving memory of Crystal Ann Woods, a much-loved daughter, sister, friend, and mother._ Mother. Damn, and there it is. What I've been denying in my heart since the first time I looked into her familiar gray eyes. I'm McKinley's father.

### Chapter 17

Evelynn

"Are you fucking kidding me? That's all the sorry ass bastard had to say? Here's some money, I'll call you?" Megan fumes and takes another shot of tequila.

It's Friday night again and I haven't seen or heard from Hunter since he split and left that stupid note. My girls and I are at _Shay's Bar & Grill_ once again, attempting a girl's night out. I usually only go out once a month but we all decided that last week was a bust and didn't really count, since Trevor and Hunter ruined it for us – well, mostly me.

"You know what, though?" I ask strumming my fingers on the table. "I'm over it. I'm tired of Hunter always running. I'm tired of not knowing what he feels for me. And in the end, it's actually a relief because now I don't have to tell him that he's McKinley's father and be afraid that he'll take her from me."

Gina looks at me her sparkling blue eyes full of admiration. "I still can't believe that you that you did that − are still doing that. It blew me away when you told us the true consequences of McKinley's birth. I don't know if I'd be a big enough person to take in the love-child that my sister created with the love of my life. I'd like to think I would, but I just don't know," Gina finishes looking down at the table shaking her head.

"I know you would Gina, and Megan would too," I say looking at Megan. "When I found out Crystal was pregnant those were the worst months of my life. Part of me died a little each day as I watched her grow bigger and bigger with Hunter's child. I didn't forgive her, not then. I hated her with every fiber of my being. I shut everyone out, I stopped eating. I couldn't sleep. Crystal cried, begged, and pleaded, for my forgiveness. She said that she was jealous of me. She could see that Hunter loved me, that he worshiped the ground that I walked on. All of her words fell on deaf ears." I pause for a moment taking in a shaky breath and then continue.

"And then when Crystal was eight months pregnant she was hit by a drunk driver. She was still alive, but barely when the paramedics got her to the hospital. In the emergency room, they determined that all fetal movement had stopped and the baby needed to come out or she would die. Crystal could barely speak, but she asked the medical staff to contact me. Only me."

Now the tears are running down my cheeks and I'm trying to hold in the sobs. Megan has gotten up and moved into the booth with me and Gina and they both have me wrapped in their arms. I hiccup. "When I arrived at the hospital, Crystal was still alive, but barely. She told me that she wanted me to take care of her baby for her. I insisted that she'd be alright and that she'd be taking care of her baby girl herself."

"The last thing I heard her say as they wheeled her into emergency surgery were. 'I love you, Evie, I'm sorry.' She died on the operating table, but they were able to save the baby. The nurses let me see the baby and hold her. The first time McKinley looked up at me with her beautiful gray eyes, I was in love. In my heart she was mine. Besides, how could I hate a child that was innocent of any wrongdoing? And how could I love her and hate her mother? In that moment, I let all my hate and anger toward Crystal go, and channeled it into love for her daughter. My daughter."

We're all holding each other and crying now. "You have a beautiful soul Evelynn Rae Woods," Gina says quietly. "And if Hunter doesn't see that, he doesn't deserve you," she finishes.

"Hell, I'm so in love with you right now, I think I want you for myself," Megan breaks in with a feigned look of seriousness on her face. We all pause for a second, looking at each other and then crack up laughing. Leave it Megan, to relieve the tension with humor.

"Seriously though, Evie, Gina's right. You bring so much sunshine into other people's lives that you deserve someone who'll bring a little sunshine into yours." Megan says as she moves back to the other side of the booth. I know she's not aware of it but she couldn't have used more meaningful words if she had tried. She's right. I've been Hunter's sunshine, but he hasn't been mine. Not for a very long time.

The waitress walks over with another round of shots. "Bottoms up, ladies! I'm tired of being the party pooper at our little get-together, so let's drink to friendship, new beginnings, and SUNSHINE!" I say raising my shot glass. My two best friends in the entire world raise their glasses and we all clink them together.

"CHEERS!"

"Don't look now ladies, but a big box of sexual chocolate is heading our way," Megan whispers and giggles. I think the alcohol is getting to her already, and of course, since she said don't look, I look. Damn if she wasn't right. A tall well-built man with skin the color of chocolate kisses, oozing sex from his pores and bearing a smile bright enough to blind Stevie Wonder walks up to our table.

"Hi there, my name is Jason. I saw you from across the room and knew I had to introduce myself," says the chocolate-covered Adonis as I turn and stare at Gina. She's raising her eyebrows, nodding her head towards Jason and looking between me and him.

What? No, it can't be. This hunk of a man is trying to talk to me? Don't get me wrong, I don't think I'm ugly or that I don't deserve the attention of men, it's just that with Gina around male attention is not something Megan or I expect to get. I finally realize that my lack of response has caused an awkward silence.

"I'm sorry. I'm Evelynn, but my friends call me Evie." I tell him shaking his outstretched hand. He has ridiculously soft hands for a man with beautifully long, tapered, fingers. I gaze up at him and take in his athletic physique encased in a lavender button up shirt and light gray slacks. Definitely a pretty-boy. He's sporting a bald head that looks good on him with his soft brown eyes surrounded by a set of thick black lashes any girl would die to have.

I can tell by the way his eyes slowly look me up and down from head to toe, that he's taking in my appearance too. According to the small smile playing at the corner of his sensual lips, I know he likes what he sees. The feeling is definitely mutual.

"Well, I don't want to intrude on what looks like your girls night out. I just wanted the opportunity to introduce myself and give you this," he says smoothly sliding a piece of paper across the table to me. "In case, you might be interested in getting to know me better. Have a nice night ladies." Jason says and then turns and walks away as easily as he came.

"I don't know about you guys, but I thought Jason was hot as hell and smooth as fuck! If you don't want his number Evie I'll take it. I'm assuming that's his number he slipped you." Megan comments; fanning herself as if the encounter has left her hot and bothered.

"You know what? I think this is the perfect opportunity to move on with my life. He may not be my future husband. But he could be the beginning of a new chapter in my life." I say, tucking Jason's number away in my purse. "I'll call him in a couple of days. I don't want to seem too anxious," I say with a wink.

### *********

It's Monday and I think it's been long enough, so I take the number out of my purse that's been beckoning to me all weekend. I'm still at work but I have time to take a quick break from crunching numbers. I quickly dial the number and hold my breath. I can't believe I'm nervous.

"Hello?" I hear his smooth, sexy voice say.

"Hi, this is Evelynn. I met you at _Shay's_ on Friday night," I respond breathlessly.

"I remember. Caramel complexion, silky mahogany curls, and big, beautiful brown eyes. I thought you had lost my number," Jason huskily replies.

"I've been kind of busy," I fib. "I have some free time now though, so I thought I'd give you a ring, but I understand if you're no longer interested," I say in a teasing manner.

"Oh, I'm interested alright. How does dinner Saturday night, 8 o'clock sound?" Jason replies.

"Sounds great, Jason. I'd like to meet you there, seeing as how we don't really know each other yet, if that's okay? By the way, what's your last name?" I'm trying to be cautious. He seems like a nice guy, but you never can tell.

"We can meet at _Oishīdesu_ on Saturday at eight o'clock. My name is Jason Maxwell Trenton, and I can't wait to see you on Saturday Evelynn."

I was just about to tell him my last name but he already hung up. Hmm, well okay then. I have a date for Saturday night! I need to call Gina and Megan and let them know that I finally called Jason.

"Hey girl, are you busy?" I ask as soon as Gina answers the phone.

"Never too busy for you," Gina replies.

"Well here's the thing. I was wondering if you can watch McKinley for me on Saturday night because...I have a date with Jason!" I announce excitedly.

"Yay! Of course I can Evie. What time should I be there?" She asks.

" I'm meeting him at _Oishīdesu_ 's at 8 o'clock and I'm meeting him at _Oishīdesu_ , so 7 o'clock should be fine. What are you doing right now Gina? I hear a lot of background noise?" I respond loudly so she can hear me.

"Yeah, sorry about that. I'm walking from my car into the bakery. I heard you, 7 o'clock Saturday night. I'll probably come ear − Oh boy, I gotta go. I call you back later." Gina rushes off the phone.

I hope she didn't enter her bakery to find one of her new employees burning something again.

Gina had gone college and obtained a degree in business but when she graduated she decided she didn't want to work for a company, she wanted to work for herself. That's how _Sweet Somethings by Gina_ began. That reminds me, I'm going to beg her to bring me some cronuts when she comes to watch McKinley on Saturday.

I look at my watch. It's still too early to call Megan. She's in the middle of teaching 7th grade Social Studies. Boring. I bet she makes it interesting, though. Megan makes almost everything interesting.

### Chapter 18

Hunter

I'm leaving Laura's office when I see a cute little pastry shop a couple of doors down − _Something Sweet or Sweet Somethings._ Anyway, I don't have time right now but maybe I'll stop by there the next time I come to see Laura. Brayden and I have a touch football game to get to.

I'm opening the door to the apartment when I hear an out of breath voice say.

"Hey, Hunter." I look to see a bedraggled Gina coming up behind me breathing heavily, her bangs all mussed and her cheeks rosy from exertion. This is crazy; I've never seen this woman look anything but perfectly composed.

I practically have to catch her before she collapses at my feet. I wrap my arm around her waist and support her into the apartment, closing the door behind me. I help her to the brown leather sofa where she plops down and continues to try to catch her breath.

"What in the world are you doing here woman? And why are you so out of breath?" I ask in confusion.

"I saw, I saw you," she begins, still out of breath. I wait patiently as she calms down. "Phew, okay. I saw you outside of my bakery and I needed to talk to you. You were too far ahead so I raced to my car and followed you here. I had to race up the stairs of your apartment so that I didn't lose sight of you. I had to tell you that you're an asshole," she declares.

"Well, thank you for coming all this way to tell me that," I reply sarcastically.

"You broke Evie's heart. Again. I don't know how many times she can get over it. Why don't you just leave her alone for good?" She quietly beseeches me, her words piercing my heart.

"I don't want her to get over me. I'm not trying to hurt her. I love her," I inform her. Her eyes are looking at me as if she's searching for the truth in my words. She must have found it because she sighs and says.

"Yeah, that's what I kind of figured. I don't know what it is you call yourself doing, but running away isn't helping your cause," Gina advises me.

"I'm not running. I moved out in order to give a relationship with Evie a chance. I don't want things to progress between us because I'm in close proximity to her. I want her to choose to be with me, and I want her to know that I choose her," I tell her as Brayden walks into the room.

"Hey. Hunter, is this the girl you've been talking about nonstop since you moved in?" Brayden asks, eyeing Gina appreciatively.

"No, if she was I'd have to knock you out for devouring her with your eyes," I remark noting Marks lecherous grin and Gina's blushing cheeks. Hmm, interesting.

"Brayden Caffey this is Regina Santos. She's one of Evelynn's best friends. She just stopped by to give me a piece of her mind," I finish the introductions with a wink. I don't think these two heard a word I said. "Gina was just telling me what an asshole I am," that remark does the trick and Gina's eyes get wide with surprise and embarrassment. "I deserved it of course," I add taking some of the sting out of my comment.

"Now that I've had my say, I guess I'll be going," Gina imparts as she gets up to leave.

"No need to rush off, lovely," Brayden says, with some of his Irish brogue coming out. Brayden runs his hand through his short brown hair, his green eyes still glued to Gina as he sits down on the couch.

"I've got to get back to my bakery, but it was nice meeting you Brayden. And Hunter, if you really want a relationship with Evelynn, you better get on it. Time is of the essence." And with a small wave she's gone.

What does she mean, 'time is of the essence?' Is Evie already moving on? The thought scares me. It hasn't been that long since I left Evie's apartment. Maybe I'm just taking it for granted that she's waiting around for me, and she's not. Well, that's got my blood pumping. I cannot lose Evelynn to some other guy. Not now. Not while I'm so close.

I walk Gina to the door and as soon as she's gone I call Evie.

"Hey, sunshine. How's it going? How's McKinley" I ask when she picks up. I can tell she's surprised to hear from me. That's not good. I told her I would call. I guess she didn't believe me.

"I'm fine, she's fine. We're both fine," she tersely replies. Oh no, this isn't going well.

"Here's the thing. I was hoping that I could take you to lunch or dinner sometime soon," I tell her.

"I don't think that would be a good idea, Hunter. I think that we should keep our interaction to a minimum. If I see you at Granny Mabel's, or with Trevor, or I run into you around town, that's fine, but other than that, I don't think I'm interested," She calmly informs me.

Oh shit, oh shit. I fucked up. I should have told her I was moving out and why I was moving out before I did it. I acted impulsively, and although my intentions were good, it's coming back to bite me in the ass.

"Evie, honey, listen. I moved out because I want to give us a chance. I know that sounds crazy but, I don't want obligatory intimacy between us because I live under the same roof with you. Please, believe me when I tell you that I enjoyed every moment of the brief intimacy we shared. But, I want you to choose when we move to the next level. I want to know you didn't feel tricked, pressured or overwhelmed. I want to wine and dine you like a man should do when he cares for a woman. Please, Evie, sunshine, let me do this right."

I've laid it all out for her, and all I can do is hope that she'll accept.

"Okay, Hunter. I'll go to dinner with you but I want you to know that I'm keeping my options open," she finally replies.

"Keeping your options open? What does that mean?" I ask confused.

"I'll be dating other people, Hunter. As a matter of fact, I have a date with a guy on Saturday. And if anyone else that catches my fancy asks me out, I just might go out with them too. I'm done waiting around for one man to be my everything. So yes, Hunter, I'm keeping my options open."

Well damn, tell me how you really feel. You know what, though, I don't like it, but I have to respect it. What other choice do I have? I'll just have to make sure I'm the only man she wants to continue dating. I'm up for the challenge. She deserves the effort.

### Chapter 19

Evelynn

The call from Hunter was very unexpected. I feel a little shiver of excitement go through me. It's clear to me now that Hunter wasn't running away, for once in his life, he was trying to do things right. The man has got to learn to communicate! He can't just move out and leave behind some crummy note and expect everything to be okay.

I meant what I said when I told him I'm keeping my options open. I'm definitely not going to cancel my date with Jason if that's what Hunter was hoping. I still have my concerns about Hunter running away if things get tough. And there's the issue of telling him he's McKinley's father. I don't know when, or if I'll ever be able to bring myself to do that. The thought of him taking McKinley from me is too much to bear. But at the same time, I know that McKinley deserves to know who her father is, especially since he's been introduced to her.

Work is over now, so it's time to meet Megan and Gina at the gym. I've been pretty faithful, going ever since Gina dragged me to that first class and I dragged Megan. It's actually a good way to relieve stress, whether it's through working out, or laughing at Megan's death stares at Gina and the instructor.

I organize the work on my office desk in preparation for tomorrow, grab my gym bag out of my desk drawer and head out of the office. Just as I'm about to walk out of the front door of the building I hear someone saying my name.

"Hey, Evie." It's Steve Fuller, one of the clerks in my department. He's a nice guy with hair the color of burnished copper, bright blue eyes hidden behind glasses and surprisingly few freckles for a ginger, with only a sprinkle across the bridge of his nose. He's absolutely adorable, almost sexy in a nerdy kind of way.

"I'm glad I caught you, I was wondering if you'd like to have lunch with me sometime?" he shyly inquires.

Wow. What the hell is going on? I've never had so many guys asking me out in my lifetime, let alone in one week. I decided to give dating a chance and someone must have sent out a damn memo. I don't want to mix business with pleasure, but I also don't want to hurt this sweet man's feelings. On the other hand, I might be jumping to conclusions and he's just asking for a friendly lunch. I don't know how to tell the difference.

"How about coffee instead?" I ask. This way it feels less like a date and I can get a feel for where he's coming from.

"Great. How's tomorrow at noon?" he quickly agrees. That's technically our lunch break, but I guess it's an acceptable time to go grab a cup of coffee.

"Sure, sounds great Steve. See you tomorrow," I reply with a smile, and walk out of the office building towards the parking lot and my car.

When I get to the gym Gina and Megan are already in the locker room changing. "Hey ladies, you'll never guess what's happened to me today." I continue without giving them a chance to respond. "Hunter called and asked me... well, he basically asked if he could date me. He told me that he moved out of the apartment so we could get to know each other and essentially date like a normal couple. And then on my way out of the office, Steve Fuller asks me out to lunch!" I rush to tell them.

"I feel like I've stepped onto an episode of the Twilight Zone," I say bemused.

"Fanfuckingtastic!" Megan exclaims. "Evie went and got her damn groove back. You've got Steve chasing you and Hunter finally towing the line. What happened with that hottie from the other night?" Megan asks, as if just remembering Jason.

"Oh, I have a date with him on Saturday, and I informed Hunter that I would be keeping my options open, and that means dating other men." I enlighten her. I notice that Gina is awfully quiet during our interaction.

"I thought Hunter was the love of your life? You don't want to ruin things with him, do you Evie?" Gina asks hesitantly.

"Whose side are you on, Gina? I've been waiting for Hunter for sixteen years. I've been in love with him since I was eight years old, and all this time, I've been waiting for him, Gina. It's about time Hunter waits for me." I say vehemently.

"You know I'm always on your side Evie. I just think that Hunter really cares about you. He's just been going about it the wrong way, and now he's trying to get it right," Gina calmly explains.

Leave it to Gina to play devil's advocate. I can't be mad, it's one of the reasons I love her so much. She's able to see both sides of an issue. I just don't know if I'm ready to listen.

"Screw that! Get your freak on girl!" Megan shouts and we all can't help but laugh.

### **********

It's 11:30, and I'm nervous. I'm supposed to go have coffee with Steve, and while I'm looking forward to it, I'm also dreading it. What will I say? How should I act? Do I want this to become romantic or remain platonic? As I'm contemplating the options in my head, I hear a soft knock on my office door. Oh boy, he's early.

"Come in," I respond to the knock.

What had the hell? I can't breathe. This can't be happening. It's as if he knew. He knew I was going to go out with someone else and showed up to ruin it for me.

"Hunter, what a surprise," I manage to get out as he stands in my doorway, wearing his work uniform with his hands behind his back.

"Hi, sunshine. I have a lunch break coming up soon, and I thought you might too, so I brought you lunch," he says explaining his presence and brings two greasy white bags from behind his back. "Cuban sandwiches with potato chips and cola." He sets the bags on my desk and brings two cans of soda out of his pants pockets.

Aw, I can't believe he did this. I haven't had a Cuban sandwich in years. I can smell the ham, salami, and pork permeating my small office space. I'm salivating just thinking about the Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard. He couldn't have brought a more tantalizing meal.

I snatch one of the bags up off of my desk, reach inside and grab the warm sandwich. I quickly unwrap it and take a mouthwatering bite. I think I just groaned out loud.

"Oh my, how did you know?" I ask around a mouth full of food. He shrugs his shoulders.

"I remembered you raving about those Cuban sandwiches Granny Mabel brought home one time when you were about fourteen. You acted like it was the best thing you ever had. So, I saw this Cuban bistro while I was on duty and thought, 'I bet Evie would love that'." He tells me with a bright smile. Why is this man so damn sexy, and why did he have to bring this wonderful sandwich? I moan, taking another bite of the delicious sandwich.

"Hey Evie, are you ready for that coffee?" Steve asks as he sticks his head in my office. Oh shit! Just that quickly, I totally forgot about poor Steve.

"I'm sorry, Steve. My friend Hunter brought me an unexpected lunch. Can I take a raincheck on that coffee?" I inquire apologetically.

Steve looks around my door and spots Hunter still standing there. Steve's eyes widen in surprise and Hunter raises an eyebrow in question towards me. Crap, I guess introductions are in order now.

"Hunter this is Steve Fuller, a friend and colleague. Steve this is Hunter Douglas, my brother's best friend and a friend of mine as well." The two men shake hands while sizing each other up.

Well, that's enough of that. "So Steve, like I was saying, Hunter unexpectedly brought me lunch so I'd like a raincheck on our coffee, if that's okay with you?" I say to him with a smile.

"Sure Evie. We can have coffee tomorrow if you'd like?" Steve kindly offers.

"That would be great Steve, see you tomorrow," I respond.

"That would be great Steve, see you tomorrow," I hear Hunter mocking me as the door closes behind Steve. Oh, this is rich.

"Are you jealous, Hunter?" I probe him, my eyes slanted in suspicion.

"Of course not. Why would I be? Is he the guy you have a date with on Saturday?"

I bite my lip contemplating if I should answer that or not. To hell with it.

"No. That's a different guy." I say flippantly. I watch as he grits his teeth and clenches his fists a couple of times, then all of a sudden he grabs the other white paper bag off my desk and sits in the chair across from me as nonchalantly as you please. I'll give him credit, if I hadn't seen the telltale signs of his hidden anger I would think he didn't give a damn. But I know better, and it makes me feel just a little bit happy on the inside.

Hunter begins to silently eat the lunch that he brought for us. Halfway through his sandwich, he strikes up a conversation.

"I don't know if you'd consider this a date, but I'd like to take you out to dinner on a real date sometime." His eyes search mine.

"I'd also like to take you and McKinley to an amusement park, or some other place she might like. I'd like to include her on some of the outings. I miss her sweet face with her million-and-one questions." He laughs and looks at me expectantly. I'm holding my breath. I don't know what to say. I think it's wonderful that he wants to get to know McKinley better and that he sees us as a package deal, but I'm also afraid.

I'm afraid of him finding out the truth. I know what the right thing to do is, but I can't bring myself to do it, not yet anyway.

"I'm open to having dinner with you sometime, but I'd like to hold off on taking McKinley on any excursions together. When you lived with us it was different, because she knew you were Uncle Trevor's best friend. And unless I'm mistaken, you no longer want to be known as Mommy and Uncle Trevor's 'friend'," I wait expectantly for some kind of confirmation.

I raise out of my chair nervous as Hunter approaches me. He puts his hand underneath my chin, tilting my head to look into his piercing gray eyes and, rubs his thumb across my bottom lip.

"I want us to be so much more than friends Evie." He whispers and slowly lowers his head and gently kisses my lips. I'm breathless and my head is spinning. It takes me a moment to even realize that he's already walked away from me, and is throwing away the remains of his lunch.

"I'll give you a call during the week, sunshine." And just like that, he's gone.

What the hell was that? I felt like I had things under control, and just like that he flipped the script on me. That kiss he gave me was a doozy. It was gentle and sweet, with just a hint of something naughty. Is that even possible? I need to get my butt to the gym and work out some of this sexual frustration.

### **********

"So I'm sitting there nervous thinking having coffee with Steve, and guess who shows up at my office? Hunter! He brings in two bags of food and tells me that he was about to take his lunch break and thought we could have lunch together." I tell Gina and Megan as we're walking out of the gym after class.

"Wow, that was sweet," Gina replies.

"Yeah, it was. But poor Steve. I ditched him to have delicious Cuban sandwiches with Hunter. It wouldn't have been so bad if I hadn't completely forgotten about Steve until he poked his head into my office and reminded me that he even existed. Then there was nothing left for me to do but introduce the two of them to each other." I relate the events to them.

"For someone who's been pretty low key most of her life, you sure have a lot of drama going on lately. I'm actually happy for you. Not all drama is bad drama," Megan emphasizes. "You deserve some action, some suspense with a whole lotta romance, and some hot and spicy sex thrown in on the side."

"I second that, especially the romance part. You deserve to be swept off your feet, Evie." Gina says in agreement with Megan.

"Yeah, I could definitely use some romance, and I wouldn't scoff at the spicy sex either," I say, wiggling my eyebrows up and down. They both laugh at my antics.

"Alright ladies, I'm off to pick up McKinley, but I'll see you tomorrow? Same time same place? And before I forget, Gina can you please, please bring some of your scrumptious cronuts when you come over to watch McKinley Saturday night?" I beg, with the biggest, saddest puppy dog eyes I can manage.

Before Gina can answer Megan interrupts. "If you don't mind I wanted to crash in on Gina's babysitting escapade. I thought maybe I could help you get ready for your date with Mr. Looks-good-enough-to-eat and then I'd be there to hear the juicy details when you get home. Besides, I'll make sure Gina brings the goods." Megan says as she pretends to twist Gina's arm up behind her back.

"I'm sure McKinley would love having both of her favorite Aunts over and I could use all the support I can get," I reply with a smile. With that settled I head to McKinley's school to pick her up, leaving Gina to fight her way out of Megan's wrestling hold.

As I drive to McKinley's school, I think about what Megan and Gina had to say. Gina's right, I do deserve some romance in my life, and Megan is also correct, I have a lot more drama in my life than I had before. But that was bound to happen with a gray-eyed walking wet-dream by the name of Hunter popping back into my life. His lips were so soft, gentle and sweet.

Oh, crap! I almost passed the damn school daydreaming about Hunter's sensual kisses. I have got to get a grip! What about Jason? Or even Steve? Couldn't one of them be the man of my dreams?

As I walk into McKinley's school cafeteria, she comes skipping toward me with a piece of paper in her hand. She must have spotted me as soon as I walked through the double doors.

"Momma, Momma look what I drew," she says excitedly, waving the paper in front of me. I take the paper from her and she slips her little arms around me in a hug. I love how affectionate she is. I take a moment to look at the paper she handed me. I can make out what I assume to be three people holding hands and...a cat?

"Hi, sweetie. That's a very nice picture. Who are the three people? And is this a cat?" I ask pointing at the figures on the paper.

"That's a hamster Mommy!" McKinley laughs at me. "And that's you, me and Hunter."

Oh boy. Or as Gina would say 'Oy Vey!'

### **********

It's 5 o'clock Saturday night. Megan and Gina are at my door with cronuts in hand. "Thanks, guys. I told you that you didn't have to be here until 7 o'clock Gina," I inform her as I give them both hugs and usher them into the apartment.

"As if I could let you dress for such an important occasion," Megan answers for Gina. "I had to make sure we were here to approve the outfit, hair, and makeup. Well, me the outfit and Gina the hair and makeup. We both know Gina's on the conservative side when it comes to clothing, and I think you should sex it up a bit tonight. Let Jason know he's not the only sexy person at the table." Megan delivers with a sultry look.

"I might be willing to go a little sexy, but not slutty! Okay, Megan? And if Gina does the makeup, I'm sure between the two of you I'll be looking like a naughty school teacher slash librarian from the 1950's." Gina laughs at my description

"Well, that will definitely keep him guessing," Gina adds.

"Can I help too, Momma?" McKinley chimes in.

"Of course, sweet pea, you can help your mom pick her jewelry," Gina tells McKinley as she ushers her into my room towards my jewelry boxes. Gina will make a wonderful mother someday.

Megan's already in my closet thumbing through my dresses. "When's the last time you've been shopping Evie? Can you even fit into half the stuff in this closet?" She asks with exasperation in her voice. I'd be insulted if she wasn't right. I haven't been shopping in years. I haven't been able to afford to go shopping, and McKinley is growing so fast it's always more important that I get her clothes instead of shopping for myself.

"Don't worry your pretty little head," Megan consoles me when she sees the sad look on my face. "This is exactly why I'm here, and I came prepared. Just hold on for a sec and I'll be right back." She rushes out of the room and returns several minutes later with that 'little black dress' every woman should have in her closet, except me of course.

"I brought this in the car just in case. This is, as I'm sure you've guessed, the 'little black dress.' It's jersey material, sleeveless with a V-neck and a satin sash just below the bust line. The skirt of the dress flares out and on me it hits well above the knees, on you, it should hit just below the knees. This is good. You'll want to be a little more conservative with the hemline since you'll be showing a lot more cleavage than I do when I wear this dress." I give Megan a questioning look. "It's just natural, your double D's are going to show a whole lot more in a dress meant for C-cup breasts," she informs me with a wry smile.

"Well, let me just hop in the shower before I try it on. I'm just going to wear my hair curly. I don't feel like taking the time to flat iron it." I inform them.

"That's good anyway," Gina replies. "Your curly hair will tie in with the fun flirty look Megan's going for." Gina looks at Megan who nods her head in agreement.

They seem to know how I should look for this date. Too bad I can't bring them along so they can tell me how I should act and what I should say too. Who knew dating was so stressful? I thought it was supposed to be exciting and fun. I guess it's a little exciting. I suppose I'll have to wait and find out if it's any fun.

When I finally emerge from the bathroom sparkling clean and baby smooth I find my clothes laid out on the bed for me. There's Megan's little black dress of course, and McKinley has chosen a turquoise necklace with matching earrings and bracelet to compliment the dress. My baby girl has good taste. These accessories pop against the black dress.

Who the hell chose these black peep-toe stilettos with the silver heel? They're trying to kill me! There's no way I'm going to be able to prance around in these puppies without breaking something.

I guess everyone is waiting in the living area for my grand entrance, because my room is empty of people. I drop the towel since there's no one to see me in all my naked glory and walk over to my dresser to pick out my underthings. I pick out a pair of turquoise satin panties with a matching bra. Eh, I feel like coordinating my intimates with my outfit.

I slide the dress on easily over my head. It feels good. I slip into the high heels and walk over to the full-length mirror on the back of my bedroom door. Holy crap! I look hot. I mean HOT! Megan wasn't kidding when she said this dress would show more than just a little cleavage on me.

Since I've decided to leave my mahogany curls wild and free tonight, I just dab a little pink lotion in my hands, rub them together and then smooth the hair lotion over my curls, giving them a lustrous shine. Gina is going to do my makeup, so I'll just wait on that.

I open my bedroom door and saunter into the living area of my apartment. "Oh my gosh, Mommy, you look so beautiful," McKinley gushes, jumping up and down clapping her little hands.

"Yep, I knew that dress was the right dress for you. You are smoking hot!" Megan says, licking her finger then touching my shoulder and making a sizzling sound.

"Yes, absolutely stunning, Evie," Gina chimes in. "This makes doing your makeup that much easier. We'll give you some smoky eyes with a wine-colored lipstick. You don't need any foundation with your flawless skin. Poor Jason isn't going to know what hit him." Gina remarks as she maneuvers me into a chair at the kitchen table and starts on my eye makeup.

"Too bad Hunter can't see you too," adds Megan. I was thinking the same thing. I'd sure like to knock his socks off too. Oh well. Maybe I can have Gina and Megan come help me before I go out on a date with Hunter. Whenever that may be.

"Voila, the masterpiece is complete," Gina says with a flourish in her best French accent. I take a look in the handheld mirror she's holding out to me.

"Wow. Just wow." Is all I can say.

"You're welcome," Gina and Megan say in unison, smiling.

"Okay Gina, where's my cronut?" I ask holding out my hand.

"Oh no you don't. I just finished your makeup," she pouts with her hand on her hip.

"I know, but it will be easy to put back on. Much easier than me pretending to be full from those pretty little hors d'oeuvres they call entrées at _Oishidesu's_. I can't look like a beautiful little pig stuffing her face on my date tonight. So give me the damn cronut woman!" I demand.

Megan just laughs and hands me the delicious pastry. She knows exactly what I mean − when you go to a fancy restaurant hungry, they give you a tiny expensive meal then you go home and still want a double cheeseburger.

"You're a life saver," I tell her around a mouthful of cronut. I daintily wipe the crumbs from my lips and walk back over to Gina so that she can reapply my lipstick. "Sorry Gina, it couldn't be helped," I say, giving her an apologetic smile.

She kindly reapplies my lipstick for me, and then gives me a playful swat on my butt. "Alright, get out of here before you're late for your date," she warns me. I take a look at my watch and it's definitely time to get out of here. Where did the time go?

"McKinley come give Mommy hugs and kisses goodbye," I tell her pointing at my cheek. "Be good for Auntie Gina and Auntie Megan," I remind her as she skips off towards her room.

"Bye ladies," I say in farewell as I head out the front door.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," Megan says with a devilish grin.

"Don't do anything she would do either," Gina remarks teasingly.

### **********

I don't want to have to teeter around on these heels for an extended amount of time, so I decide to use the valet service. As I'm pulling up to the front of the restaurant, I see Jason step out of a sleek, black, foreign sports car in front of me. He looks absolutely delicious in a dark ,fitted suit sans a tie. Seeing him makes me even happier that I had my girls help me get ready for this date.

I hope he notices me so I don't have to draw attention to myself by calling out to him. I step out the car and hand the valet my keys. I'm adjusting my dress when I look and see him standing there on the edge of the sidewalk. Oh, he noticed me alright. As a matter of fact, I think every man within twenty feet is eyeing me.

For a split second, I feel like covering my cleavage with my hand, or readjusting the plunging neckline of the dress, but I fight the urge. I remember Megan always telling me that confidence is the sexiest thing you can wear, and if I don't feel confident no one else has to know it, I just have to fake it till I make it. I lift up my head, push back my shoulders, put a smile on my face and approach Jason.

"Hello, Evelynn. You look absolutely stunning," Jason compliments as he offers me his elbow.

"You look quite handsome yourself," I say in return. I take in the white contemporary décor with splashes of green and the beautiful silk bonbori lanterns as the hostess shows us to our table. She takes us to a dimly lit table for two in the corner of the posh Japanese restaurant.

"Can I get you anything to drink?" asks the waitress as we take our seats.

"Yes, we'd like two glasses of Cabernet Sauvignon and Hamachi tar-tare as an appetizer," Jason orders for the both of us. I'm not sure I like him ordering for me. Don't get me wrong, I like a take-charge kind of guy, but he doesn't even know me yet.

"I hope you don't mind me taking the liberty of ordering for you. This is one of my favorite restaurants and the Hamachi tar-tare is simply delicious," Jason informs me. I just nod my head in acquiescence and smile at him. I guess I'll let it slide this time.

"So what does a lovely lady like you do to make a living?" he inquires by way of conversation.

"I'm an accountant for a publishing firm," I say quietly.

"Wow, really? I would never have guessed that. I always imagined accountants as men or elderly women with bifocals. Definitely not an attractive woman like yourself," he comments.

I don't know whether to be flattered or offended by his assumptions. Is he surprised I'm smart and educated? Is he implying I'm too pretty to be that smart? I hate double-edged compliments like that. How would he like it if I told him to just shut up and look pretty because he's making this date less and less fun with every word he utters? I should ask him what he does for a living. Before I get the chance to say the words Jason provides the information.

"So I'm sure you're wondering what I do for a living," he says with a cocky little grin. Oh boy, whatever it is, I can tell he thinks I'll be impressed by it.

"I'm a sports agent. I represent high caliber athletes throughout the U.S. and even some in Canada," he tells me as he leans back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest with a shit-eating grin on his face. I sigh inwardly − at least I hope it was inward.

I will myself to muster up the excitement I know he expects from his revelation. "Wow. A real live Jerry McGuire? You must know a lot of famous athletes. Who's your number one client?" I ask with feigned interest. The answer doesn't really matter. I'm not into sports. I wouldn't know a famous athlete if they walked up and kissed me on the cheek. By the gleam in Jason's eye, I can tell I asked the right question.

"Well, I've been representing the number one basketball player in the East coast for the past year. I've also been the agent for two sisters that you might have heard of. They've both played tennis since they were young girls..." At this point, I've lost all interest in conversation with Jason. I nod and smile at the appropriate times but my mind is wandering and so are my eyes, as I look around the restaurant at the other patrons, imagining that their dates are so much more interesting than mine.

As I'm scanning the room I catch a glimpse of a chiseled profile sporting a blonde faux-hawk. I could swear that man across the room was Hunter, but a waiter is suddenly blocking my view. Then I hear a deep rumbling laugh that reaches into me and spreads through my body tickling me from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. My body recognizes what my eyes didn't have time to discern. Hunter is near.

I feel myself slowly craning my neck trying to see around the waiter, but it's no use. Hunter's by the window and there're at least four tables separating us.

"Are you alright Evelynn?" Jason inquires with concern. I realize I must look crazy the way I'm stretching my neck out.

"Oh yeah, I'm sorry I've just got a kink in my neck," I reply, reaching up and pretending to rub a sore spot on my neck. Man, I'm such a freaking dork.

"I'm sorry. What were you saying about traveling to Chicago for a well-known baseball player?" I encourage him to continue. I was actually paying some attention to the conversation. I feel like giving myself a pat on the back and as I think about it I smile. I guess Jason takes that as his cue to continue with his ramblings.

I chance another peek at the last table by the windows and I still can't see Hunter, but I see his companion. She's a tall leggy blonde − even sitting at this distance I can see the woman has legs for days. She has wavy golden locks down to the middle of her back and sun-kissed skin.

I can't tell what color her eyes are from this distance. She's wearing a gray pencil skirt with a sleeveless white blouse, and red high heels that perfectly match her ruby red lipstick. The woman is absolutely stunning.

The waiter finally finishes taking their orders and walks away from the table. Hunter is revealed to my eyes wearing a KC charcoal slim fit suit with an ice blue dress shirt, and black KC leather loafers. I've never seen him look so good. I watch as the two golden angels clink their champagne glasses together in a celebratory toast. The sharp bite of jealousy momentarily takes hold of me.

What are they toasting to? A new relationship? Happiness? Maybe even, love? I told Hunter that I was keeping my options open, what made me think he wouldn't do the same?

"Excuse me, I need to freshen up," I say, interrupting Jason and, excusing myself to the ladies room.

I feel like running to the sanctuary of the women's bathroom, but I control the urge and slowly walk to the hallway located at the back of the restaurant.

"Hey, sunshine," I hear Hunter say behind me. I stiffen as I feel his hands run up and down my bare arms. I take a steadying breath before I turn around, causing him to drop his hands away from me.

"Hey, Hunter. Fancy seeing you here," I reply as nonchalantly as possible.

"Good God woman! What are you wearing?" he demands huskily.

His eyes are raking over my body and what I thought was anger flashing in his eyes is now exposed as lust by the quickly growing arousal in his slacks. He wastes no time backing me up against the wall of the hallway, his cock pressing demandingly against my hip as he buries his face into my neck. I'm breathing heavily, but my hands are still hanging at my sides. I want to touch him, to hold him, to kiss him. But in the back of my mind, I remember the sun-kissed goddess he's got waiting for him back at his table.

"What are you doing Hunter?" I ask, but it sounds more like a plea. A plea for him to stop, a plea for him to continue. I don't know which it is because this man is tearing my soul apart.

"I'm sorry, Evie. I didn't mean to force myself on you like this," he apologizes, leaning away from me but placing his hands on the wall on either side of me, keeping me confined.

"I saw you and I just wanted to say hello. Then when I got near you and saw this tantalizing scrap of material barely covering your delectable little body..." he trails off running a finger slowly down my throat and following the gentle slope of my breasts into the crevice of my ample cleavage, exposed by the low-cut neckline of Megan's little black dress.

This is insane. I'm about to expire from lust outside of the women's bathroom in _Oishīdesu_. Two can play this game. I take a step forward, closing the gap Hunter had put between us. I place my hands on his stomach and feel his muscles tighten in response. I smile to myself as I move my hip against his erection and slowly inch my hands up his stomach and onto his chest. I slide my right hand behind his neck into the back of his short blonde hair and tug until he bends his head toward me.

"You look good too," I whisper against his lips. I pull back and look deep into his eyes. "But I've got a date, so I'll catch you later," I laugh and quickly duck under his arm walking back towards my table.

It's a good thing I didn't really need to use the bathroom. Jason stands and pulls out my chair when I approach the table. Well, I guess chivalry isn't dead after all. The encounter with Hunter has me feeling revitalized.

"I see that the appetizer has arrived," I comment to Jason. The appetizer is beautifully displayed Hamachi tartare in a clear dish, with another clear dish of wasabi, Maui onion, dashi soy and a Plumeria flower all placed on a bed of ice in a large white porcelain bowl. It's almost too pretty to eat.

I'm not sure how you're supposed to eat this dish so I watch Jason take a miniature metal spatula-shaped utensil and scrape some of the tartare off the clear dish and then rake it across the Maui onion, dashi soy, and wasabi. Then he dips it all into a small bowl of sauce and eats it. I pick up the odd utensil and mimic Jason's actions. The result is delicious. We both look at each other and kind of chuckle, realizing that this is the equivalent of playing with your food for adults, and it's actually kind of fun.

As we're enjoying our appetizer, I surreptitiously glance up and see that Hunter is finally returning to his table. I'm guessing he had to get his body under control before returning to his date. I smirk on the inside. Good. It serves him right, always getting me wound up and now the shoe is on the other foot.

Jason and I chat some more, and I actually make a concentrated effort to listen this time, so I can keep my mind off the fact that Hunter is in the same restaurant with a beautiful woman at his side. As Jason and I are finishing up our meal, he reaches across the table, grabbing my hand and says "I'm having a wonderful time and would hate for this night to end. Would you like to continue the night with drinks or dancing?"

I have to admit that the second half of the night went considerably better than the first half, but I'm ready to call it a night. "I've had fun too," I respond honestly. "I need to get home to my daughter, but I wouldn't mind drinks and dancing some other time."

Crap! I can tell by the look on his face that I forgot to mention I was a single mom.

"Oh, yeah. I understand completely," he replies, helping me slip into my sweater as we stand. Jason slides his arm lightly around my waist as we walk toward the front door of the restaurant. I guess he wasn't bothered by the fact that I have a kid after all.

We walk to the valet counter and hand the gentleman our tickets. As we wait for our separate cars to arrive Jason pulls me gently into him. His deep brown eyes search mine as he slowly lowers his full lips to mine. His kiss is sweet and gentle. It's nice. That's it. Not mind blowing, soul-searing, panty-dropping like Hunter's kisses. I sigh and Jason mistakes it as an invitation and deepens the kiss. I put my hands against his chest and gently extricate myself from his kiss and his embrace.

"My car is here," I say as an excuse. I almost run to my car in my hurry to get away. "Give me a call," I tell him as I climb behind the wheel and close the door. I look back to see him standing on the curb, hands in his pockets, smile on his face, rocking back and forth on his heels. In the window behind Jason, I see Hunter's piercing gray eyes and scowling face. Too late, I realize he had a front row seat to my kiss with Jason.

I'm driving home, thinking about what I'm going to tell Megan and Gina about my date. They're going to want details and the only exciting thing that happened tonight didn't even happen with my date.

I pull into my reserved parking spot at Rosewood apartments and head up to my apartment. I'm glad I'm only on the second floor or I'd have to kick theses stilettos off and go barefoot. As I reach my apartment door I hear someone running up the stairs behind me.

It's Hunter. He looks angry as he stalks towards me. I freeze, waiting for God knows what and then he reaches me. I hold my breath and Hunter reaches out his hand and gently cups the back of my head. "This is how you should be kissed," he breathes in a low voice before he slowly ravishes my lips. I moan low in my throat. I think I may have actually purred. I can feel a smile on his lips against mine. His hand is still cupping the back of my head and his fingers are massaging my scalp as he plunders my mouth. With his free hand, he grasps my hip, and pulls it towards his body until I'm pressed against his throbbing cock.

Tugging on my curly tresses he smoothly pulls my head back, exposing my neck to him. His kisses move to the corner of my mouth along my jawline and down the column of my throat. My need for him is skyrocketing. I reach down and caress his shaft through his pants. Hunter's breath hitches and he nips at my neck with his teeth. His hand has moved from my hip and is sliding up the skirt of my dress onto my bare legs. The contact of his big rough hands against the naked flesh of my thigh causes my inner muscles to clench in anticipation. Without thinking, I lean back against the door and lift the leg he's caressing, hooking it around his hip. His mouth finds its way back to mine as he continues to stroke my thigh.

Hunter continues his path up my thigh until he's sliding his hand underneath the thin fabric of my panties and cupping my ass. I can't control myself as I writhe against him. His hand slides down the side of my ass and his fingertips brush against my creamy slit. I begin to tremor with need. Hunter pulls his hand from between us.

"Is this all for me, baby?" he murmurs, holding up his fingers slick with my arousal. His sultry gray eyes looking straight into mine, he brings his fingers to his mouth, past his lips and slowly sucks the juices from them. My legs go weak and, I see Hunter's eyes widen in surprise as I suddenly feel myself falling backward. Hunter clasps his arm around my waist and swiftly changes our positions mid-fall.

"Well, what do we have here?" Megan chides, standing over our tangled bodies. Gina is standing next to her with an amused look on her face. "I heard some animalistic noises outside the apartment door, not unlike animals in heat. So I decided to investigate and imagine my surprise when I open the door to find you two tumbling to the floor wrapped in each other's arms." Megan relays to us, her hand bracing the door open while I'm still lying on top of Hunter on the floor, chest to chest with my dress bunched up around my hips.

I feel Hunter's chest start shaking and rumbling with laughter underneath me. He doesn't say anything, just adjusts the bottom of my dress for me before he gently slides me off of him and smoothly rolls to his feet. He reaches a hand down to me and helps me off the ground. His face is serious now.

"We need to talk Evelynn. I'll call you later." Hunter gives me a light peck on the lips. "Good night ladies, always a pleasure," he says with a smile and a nod in their direction, and then he walks out the front door, closing it softly behind him.

"All right, spill it. How in the world did you go on a date with Jason and end up coming home with Hunter?" Megan asks exasperated, hands on hips. "Going out with one man and coming home with a different man sounds more like something I would do. That dress must harbor magical slutty powers," Megan announces baffled. We all pause, looking at each other in silence and then we crack up.

### Chapter 20

Hunter

Laura suggested we celebrate so I recommended _Oishīdesu_ , knowing full well that Evelynn would be there. Gina had texted me earlier this week to let me know the time and place that Evie was having her date with this Jason character. I'm glad I've got Gina on my side helping me size up my competition. I chuckle to myself. By the look on Evie's face, this Jason guy is no competition at all.

I'm trying my best not to give away the fact that I'm stalking another woman across the restaurant with my eyes. This isn't exactly a romantic date with Laura, but I'm getting a vibe from her that tells me she's into me and I don't want to lead her on. Don't get me wrong, Laura is absolutely gorgeous with her perfectly done hair, makeup and manicured nails.

She gives me a small smile as she looks over the menu. I don't know why she's pretending. We both know she's going to order a salad that she's only going to eat a few bites of, and then push the remainder around her plate for the rest of dinner as she sips on her spring water with a wedge of lemon in it.

As pretty as she is, women like her just don't interest me. I know that Evelynn would order a regular soda or a sweet tea, and not diet to go with her meal. She wouldn't be afraid to share an appetizer with me before ordering a sushi roll, or two, for her own entrée. Evie doesn't pretend to eat like a bird. She's a real woman and she acts like it.

"Let's make a toast," Laura suggests with a bright smile. She lifts her glass so I lift mine. "To new beginnings," she declares. That brings a smile to my face and we clink our glasses together in a toast. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Evelynn getting up from her table. She's probably going to the ladies room. This would be a good time to let my presence be known. I'm not trying to ruin her date, I'm just hoping she's less comfortable knowing that I'm in the room and can see her every move.

"Excuse me. I'll be right back," I tell Laura as I get up from the table. As I head towards the bathrooms located at the back of the restaurant, I notice that the place is nice if you're into all that contemporary furniture, mostly in white. I observe a few splashes of green potted plants and cloth napkins before I make it to the hallway that Evie walked into.

"Hey, sunshine," I say as I walk up behind her. I can't help myself as I reach out and grasp her shoulders and run my hands up and down her bare arms. She turns quickly, forcing me to drop my hands from her.

I want to reach out and touch her again, but I'll keep my hands to myself for now.

"Hey, Hunter. Fancy seeing you here," Evie says casually. I expected a little more reaction out of her than that. Maybe I'm overestimating my effect on her. I take a good look at her and I'm dazed. She's wearing a sleeveless low-cut black dress, with a short flowing skirt and come-fuck-me high heels, and boy do I want to do what those heels are beckoning me to do. But then I remember she's wearing these clothes for another man.

"Good God woman! What are you wearing?" I demand, before I can control myself. I can't pull my eyes away from her luscious body and I'm getting more and more aroused by the second. Before I realize it, I'm pushing Evie up against the wall of the hallway, pressing my hard cock against her as I bury my face in her sweet smelling neck and hair. I notice that she's standing stock still. I must have shocked her with my behavior. I'm such an ass.

"What are you doing, Hunter?" she questions in a soft voice.

"I'm sorry, Evie. I didn't mean to force myself on you like this," I apologize, as I lean away from her but place my hands on the wall on either side of her. "I saw you and I just wanted to say hello. Then when I got near you and saw this tantalizing scrap of material barely covering your delectable little body..." I can't be this close to her and not touch her. I trail my finger slowly down her throat, and follow the gentle slope of her breasts into the crevice of the delicious cleavage exposed to my view. My dick is twitching in my pants, begging for me to do more than just teasing her.

Evelynn shocks me when she places her hands on my stomach, and my muscles clench in response to her touch. She slides her body up against my erection and slowly inches her hands up my stomach and onto my chest. My heartbeat is irregular now. It's taking everything in me not to defile her in the bathroom hallway of this restaurant. She puts her right hand behind my neck into the back of my hair, and tugs until I bend my head at her silent request.

"You look good too," she whispers against my lips. Then she pulls back and looks deep into my eyes. "But I've got a date, so I'll catch you later," she laughs and quickly ducks under my arm, walking back towards her table.

The little minx! She played me. I chuckle to myself. My sweet little sunshine just teased me, got my dick as hard as steel, and then left me all hot and bothered. I shake my head, still smiling. She's not as sweet and guileless as I've mistaken her for. I think I like it. Except the part where I'm standing here aching from blue balls.

I discreetly adjust myself as I walk into the men's bathroom to splash cold water on my face. I'll have to settle for cold water on my face, since I can't splash it where I need it the most. This is the second time Evie has put me in this position. Only, this time, it was on purpose.

I've got my bearings and I'm heading back to my table with Laura by the window. I glance over and see Evelynn laughing and enjoying an appetizer that she's sharing with her date. What the hell? She seems like she's having a better time now that she knows I'm here than she was before.

"Oh good, you came back. I thought you might have snuck out the bathroom window," Laura laughs nervously. I can tell she's half teasing and half serious, and I realize I'm being a total dick to this woman who doesn't deserve it.

"Yeah, I'm sorry about that. I hung back in the hall for a minute to take a phone call," I lie to her with a smile on my face. I'm not this guy. I don't like lying, sneaking around and stalking. Stalking? Yep, this shit could definitely fall under the definition of stalking. This is getting weird. I'm not some creepy dude that follows a chick around that won't give him the time of day.

"So Laura, what do you like to do for fun?" I ask in an effort to start up the conversation. She starts twirling a few of her golden locks between her fingers and gives me a sexy smile. Oh boy. I think she took that question in the completely opposite direction I was going for.

"Depends on what kind of fun you're talking about Hunter," she implies in a sultry voice. Damn it! What the hell is going on here? I try to ravish Evelynn in the bathroom hallway and she practically runs from me. I try being just friendly with Laura and she's trying to take it to whole other level.

Don't get me wrong, if I wasn't in love with Evie then Laura could definitely get it. Come on. I'm a man and she's a beautiful woman who's obviously interested. I just can't see myself with someone else until I know that there's absolutely no chance in the world that Evelynn and I can be together.

Where were all the hot chicks at before? I swear fate likes to play some dirty tricks on a guy. Now how do I respond to Laura's remark tactfully? This was supposed to be a simple, celebratory dinner. How does shit get complicated so quickly? I sigh, running my hand through my hair.

"I was thinking along the lines of skiing, hiking, fishing, skating. Things like that," I finally respond.

"Oh, I see," she laughs lightly. "I like to read books, go to art galleries or museums and I really enjoy wine tasting events," she finishes with a sparkle in her eye. Laura doesn't seem to be too upset that the conversation was turned away from becoming sexual in nature. She seems like a really nice lady.

The conversation flows easily after that, and before I know it the meal is over. As we're waiting for the waiter to bring our check, I see Evie outside the restaurant window standing near the valet counter. I watch as Mr. Grabby-hands pulls her in for a kiss. She allows it. It's painful for me to watch another man put his hands and lips on my woman. Oh yes. She's mine. Her reaction to his kiss says it all. There's no breathlessness, no roaming hands or starry eyes as he kisses her. The chemistry is missing. The soul-searing, all-consuming fire that we share is missing from that kiss.

I can't let Jason be the last man she's thinking of when she goes to sleep tonight. That thought puts a frown on my face, and when I look out the window again I find Evelynn staring back at me. The waiter finally brings the check, and I throw down the cash to cover the meal plus tip. I help Laura into her coat, trying not to be too obvious about my haste to get out of here.

When the valet pulls Laura's car up, I give her a kiss on the cheek and practically shove her in the car. "I had a good time. We should do it again some time," I say quickly. I run over to my waiting truck, hop in and head towards Evelynn's apartment.

I pull into her parking lot just in time to see her heading up the stairs to her second-floor apartment. I jump out of the truck and run up the stairs after her. Just seeing her legs in those sexy ass heels as she climbs the stairs has got my blood pumping. I can't wait to get my hands on her again. She must have heard me coming up the stairs because she pauses at her apartment door and turns toward me. I walk purposefully towards her.

"This is how you should be kissed," I say, trailing my fingers over her silky curls and cupping her head in my hand, before lowering my head to taste her plump lips. I hear her purr deep in her throat and I smile as I continue kissing her. This is what he couldn't give you, I think to myself. My fingers massage her scalp as I continue to nip and suck on her lips. With my other hand, I grip her hip and pull it towards me until she's pressed against my throbbing cock. I need to feel more of her. I'm aching to be inside of this woman.

I gently tug on her curls, pulling her head back to expose her neck to me. I know her neck is an erogenous zone for her because she trembles in my arms every time I kiss her there. Now is no exception, as I kiss the corner of her mouth then along her jawline and down the column of her throat. Her breathless moans and shudders don't disappoint. I feel her reach down and caress my straining cock through my pants. I hiss between my teeth and nip at the most sensitive part of her neck. I move my hand from her hip so that I can slide it up under her dress, onto the bare skin of her thigh. Her skin is soft and smooth like satin. As I'm stroking her thigh, she leans back against the door and lifts the leg that I'm caressing, and hooks it around my hip. I can imagine taking her just like this against the door and I almost come undone.

I continue sliding my hand up her thigh until I find the edge of her silky panties and slide underneath the thin fabric and cup her round ass. She's writhing against me now and I can feel the pre-cum oozing from the head of my cock. If she keeps this up I'm going to slide her panties to the side and take her right here in front of God and everybody.

I slide my hand down the seam of her ass and my fingertips brush against her creamy slit. Shit, she's so wet for me. I pull my hand from between us. "Is this all for me, baby?" I murmur, holding up fingers slick with her arousal. I can't help it, she smells so sweet. I've got to taste her. I look straight into her eyes as I bring my fingers to my lips and slowly put them in my mouth to suck the juices from them. Suddenly I hear a click, and feel Evie start to tumble. My arm shoots out and grab her around the waist, swiftly changing our positions as we fall.

"Well, what do we have here?" Megan chides, standing over our tangled bodies. Gina is standing next to her with an amused look on her face. "I heard some animalistic noises outside the apartment door, not unlike animals in heat. So I decided to investigate, and imagine my surprise when I open the door to find you two tumbling to the floor wrapped in each other's arms." Megan relays to us, her hand bracing the door open while Evie's still lying on top of me chest to chest with her dress bunched up around her hips.

This is ridiculous. Caught making out, practically fucking against the front door like a bunch of horny teenagers. I can't help myself, I start to laugh. Evelynn looks at me strangely, but I don't bother to explain.

I adjust the bottom of her dress for her so that her assets are no longer exposed. Then I slide her from on top of me onto the floor and roll to my feet. I reach a hand down to her and help her up off the ground. "We need to talk, Evelynn. I'll call you later." I tell her, giving her a small kiss on the lips. "Good night ladies, always a pleasure," I say with a smile and a nod in their direction.

I walk out the door, closing it softly behind me. I hope Evie's not mad that I left like that. I'm still sporting a hard-on from hell, and my fingers still have her essence on them. I bring my hand to my nose and sniff. Mmmm, now that's what I wanted to smell when I took her panties out of her drawer and sniffed them. She'd be mortified if she knew I did that. I wonder what she'd think if she knew I was smelling her scent and dreaming of her sitting on my face?

### Chapter 21

Evelynn

I'm walking into a quiet apartment after church Sunday morning. Granny Mabel insisted that McKinley comes over and spend the day with her after church. I don't mind, but I feel bad about not spending much time with her, since I left her with Gina and Megan when I went out on my date last night.

I've just closed the apartment door behind me and I'm bending over to take off my black patent leather pumps when I hear a knock at the door. I look through the peephole and see that it's Hunter. I quickly smooth my curls and run my hands down the sides of my pale pink, knee length, cap-sleeved dress with square neckline and scalloped hemline. It's not the least bit sexy, but it is a church dress after all. I slowly open the door.

"Hey, Hunter. What's going on?" I greet him as I open the door wide enough for him to come inside.

"Hi, sunshine. You look lovely," he says, walking inside and taking in my appearance. I can feel myself blush. He always makes me feel so beautiful.

"Thanks. I just got home from church," I inform him.

"I'm sorry to stop by unannounced like this, but I thought maybe we could go to lunch? I would really like to talk to you," he says earnestly, jamming his hands into his jean pockets.

"What's wrong with talking right here?" I ask confused. He looks at me baffled. Then he steps closer to me, taking his hands out of his pockets he uses his right hand to brush the curls away from my face and cups my cheek. He slowly leans down to me.

"This is what's wrong," he whispers kissing my lips. The kiss starts tender and gentle and quickly turns passionate. I start to raise my arms to put them around his neck when he abruptly breaks the kiss, turning away from me.

"When we're alone together, I can't keep my hands off you. We need to sit down and talk, but when I'm around you I crave your touch, your kiss, the taste of you. I'm dying to be inside of you, Evie," his cheeks are red and I can tell he's flustered by the way he keeps raking his hands through his mussed blonde hair.

His words have my head spinning. I'm stunned by his desire for me. He's pacing back and forth in front of my couch now.

"If you think I'm going anywhere after what you just said to me, you're crazy," I say stepping in front of him and pushing him down onto the couch. Hunter looks at me confused, but before he can say anything, I straddle his lap and silence him with a kiss. He groans into the kiss and places his hands on my waist. I trail kisses across his stubbly cheek, and I can't resist dipping my tongue into his dimple before I nip at his jawline and down his neck. If his groaning and the way he's gripping my waist is any indication; he likes what I'm doing as much as I like it when he does it to me.

I want to see his gorgeous body, so I reach for the bottom of his shirt to lift it but he puts his hand over mine stopping me.

"Baby, if you don't stop now, I don't think I'll be able to," he warns me, his gray eyes searching mine.

"I don't want you to stop," I whisper. That's all he needed to hear. Quick as a flash he's off the couch with me holding my legs around his waist as he kisses me, and walks down the hallway towards my bedroom. He stops at the edge of my bed and gently lowers me to the ground, slowly pulling my dress over my head and tossing it to the side. I immediately try to cover myself with my hands.

"No, Evie. Don't ever hide your beautiful body from me," he commands in a gruff voice, as he takes a step back to get a better view. "Damn baby, you're so sexy," he comments as he steps towards me and I fall onto the bed on my back, using my elbows to prop me up. Hunter drops to his knees in front of me. He slowly lifts my left foot in front of him and removes the black pump I'm still wearing, and then repeats the same thing with my right foot.

"As hot as you look in just your panties and heels, I don't want to get hurt," he says with a mischievous smile and a wink.

He stands up and pulls his black t-shirt over his head. I suck in my breath at the vision of his masculine beauty. His bronzed muscled biceps and pecs are half-covered in tattoos. Not to mention his delicious abs. He removes his jeans, but keeps on his boxer briefs as I drink in the sight of him. I feel his soft skin against mine as he climbs over me to reach my lips with his. I run my hands all over his chest and back as he claims my lips in a mind-numbing kiss. Just as I feel his erection pressing against my panty-covered slit he backs his hips away and kisses a path down my neck towards my aching breasts.

He palms my breasts with his hands and kisses the mounds that spill out of the top of my bra. I arch my back and put my hands into his hair in an effort to direct his lips to where I need them the most. Hunter looks up at me with a sparkle in his eye.

"My little sunshine is impatient, isn't she?" he asks teases as he removes my bra strap and swiftly captures an aching nipple between his lips. He slides off the other strap and removes my bra completely, before he lavishes kisses and licks to my other nipple. He's kissing the undersides of my breasts and his soft stubble brushes against my ribs, tickling me. His lips trail down my stomach as his fingers slowly slide my lacy panties down my legs and onto the floor. My belly trembles as his delicious kisses reach below my belly button.

Anticipation causes moisture to gather between my legs. Hunter spreads my thighs and settles his shoulders between my legs. He turns his head and kisses the sensitive flesh at the bend of my right knee. Then he turns his head and kisses the sensitive flesh at the bend of my left knee. He lowers his head and kisses the inside of my right thigh and I shudder with need. He looks at me intently with his piercing gray eyes and leisurely lowers his head to kiss the inside of my left thigh. My breath is coming in rapid, shallow gasps now and my hands are clenching the sheets.

I feel his fingers slide between my legs and part my moist lips and I can't hold back the moan of pleasure that escapes my mouth as two of his long digits slide in easily penetrating me. He continues to slide his fingers in and out of me, gathering more of my juices with each delicious stroke. Hunter watches me as I move my hips back and forth, helping him fuck me with his fingers and just when I think I can't take anymore, he lowers his head once again and softly flicks my clit with his pink tongue.

"Yesss," I hiss in encouragement. He sucks my clit into his mouth and begins kissing my pussy the way he would kiss my mouth, never stopping the endless sliding penetration of his fingers. I feel my body start to tingle and a building pressure starts to coil in my pelvis. Hunter looks up at me from between my thighs, his mouth still latched on to my clit, my juices dripping down his chin, then he curls his fingers up inside of me, and I shatter into a million pieces.

Hunter is up and over me in a heartbeat. "You taste so good, baby. I swear you drip honey," he says between the kisses he's placing on my neck and chest. I feel his cock sliding against my thigh, and he leans up on one arm to help guide himself into my waiting warmth. He slides the tip in and out a few times and I can't believe how greedy I am to have him inside of me after that mind-blowing orgasm he just gave me.

"Evie?" he asks hesitantly.

"Hmm?" is all I can manage in my euphoric state.

"Are you on the pill?" he asks, still making shallow thrusts into my slick vagina.

"Yes," I reply and then he slides all the way inside of me quickly snapping me out of my euphoria with a burning pain. Hunter immediately stops moving.

"Holy shit, Evie! Was that what I think it was?" he looks at me, terrified and more than a little confused. "Evelynn Rae Woods, were you a virgin?" he asks in a small tight voice. I nod my head in response.

Hunter rests his forehead against mine, his cock still sheathed inside of me. "I'm so sorry, baby," he apologizes, giving me sweet, whisper soft kisses on my lips. "I wish I had known," He says softly and begins to shift as if to pull out of me.

"No, don't," I tell him, grasping his ass to keep him in place. "I wanted it to be you. It's always been you," I confess. Hunter nods his head in acquiescence and slowly starts to move inside of me. The pain of losing my virginity has lessened, but the feeling isn't exactly pleasurable at this point. I concentrate on the feeling of Hunter's chest rubbing against my sensitive nipples, and the feel of his tender loving kisses against my throat. The fact that he's inside of me trying his best to be tender ignites a small spark of pleasure at my core.

Hunter continues his deliberately slow strokes and reaches up his right hand to caress my breast and squeeze my nipples. I bite my lower lip because that definitely felt good. He rolls the tightened bud between his fingers and then leans over and lets his teeth take over where his fingers left off. My body is beginning to hum in response to his gentle ministrations. I lift my hips to meet his lazy thrusts, and he responds by thrusting a little faster. All thoughts of pain flee as I feel that familiar coil starts building again.

"Mmm," I moan. Hunter leans his weight on his left arm and I watch as he licks his finger before his right hand reaches between our bodies for the hardened nub of my clit, and begins to rub circles around it, all the while still thrusting. The pleasure is becoming too much for me to bear. I scream "Hunter, Hunter, Hunter!" as I cum, involuntarily clenching his cock with the spasms of my inner muscles.

"Oh God, Evie!" he growls, his body becomes tense and I feel the warm release of his cum inside of me. Hunter thrusts a few more times, sighs, and then collapses on top me. He's heavy, but he's not hurting me, so I just lie there, stroking his back with a stupid grin etched on my face. I knew it would be good between us.

"I knew it would be good between us," Hunter murmurs against my neck, uttering my thoughts out loud. He slowly rolls off me and his now limp penis slides out of me.

"Be right back," he informs me, disappearing into the master bathroom. He returns shortly with a wet washcloth in hand. Hunter sits on the edge of the bed and nudges my legs apart with his empty hand. Before I know what he's about, I feel the warmth of the wet cloth softly wiping away the evidence of our lovemaking.

Hunter stops his tender cleansing and looks at me. "I hope I didn't hurt you too much. If I had known, I would have done things differently," he says apologetically.

"I can't imagine it being any better than that Hunter," I reply honestly. He walks back into the bathroom with the wet cloth and then returns to the bed empty handed. I watch him as he pulls his boxer-briefs back on.

"Scoot over," he tells me, as he climbs back into the bed, throwing the covers over the both of us. "Now turn on your side with your back to me so I can spoon you. We still need to talk, but I want to hold you too," he candidly informs me. I look back at him over my shoulder. "What? Don't look at me like that. No, I don't normally spoon, and as a matter of fact, I've never had unprotected sex before either. It's a night of firsts for both of us, sunshine," he says as he snuggles up to me, his chin resting on top of my head, right arm slung over my waist and his hand drawing lazy circles on my stomach.

"Evelynn, I want to be your man. Your only man. It has nothing to do with what just happened between us, although if I'm being honest, just the thought of you being intimate with another man now is enough to make me lose my shit," he pauses to clear his throat. "Anyway, I've been trying to show you that I'm not the man I use to be. I want to be there for you and for McKinley. I need you to trust me to be there for you and to do the right thing by you."

Hunter is finally offering me the thing I always wanted. Him. I know that if I'm going to accept him, I need to tell him the truth. I sigh and roll over to face him. He looks nervous. I am nervous. My hands are trembling and my palms are sweating. In a shaky voice I confess to him, "Hunter, McKinley is your daughter." I see relief wash over his face as he lets out a pent up breath. He raises his hands and cups my face.

"Thank you," he says and softly kisses my lips.

"Thank you?" I repeat incredulously. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me to his chest.

"I already knew McKinley was my daughter. I went to visit Crystal's grave and saw her headstone and put two and two together. I was just waiting for you to trust me enough to tell me," he finishes pressing a kiss to my forehead.

"You weren't angry with me for keeping her from you?" I softly inquire. I don't trust his calm acceptance of the situation, and I'm waiting for an explosion.

"At first, I was angry. I was angry that I missed out on my little girl's first smile, her first steps, and her first words. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized I wouldn't have been capable of taking care of a baby − especially not as a single father in the military. When I understood the sacrifices you made, I was in awe of you. I was in awe of the love that you possess for McKinley. Enough love to raise her as your own daughter, despite the heartache and pain behind her conception. I know you, Evelynn. I know that you don't possess a malicious bone in your body, and that everything you did for my daughter was out of love and compassion. It's one of the reasons I love you so much," he whispers the last part and kisses the tip of my nose.

"I love you, Evelynn, I always have," he confesses, cupping my face in his hands, brushing the tears from my cheeks with pads of his thumbs. I'm overwhelmed with emotion. This man knows that I kept his daughter from him for years, and he admires me for it. He knows me? He loves me? He's always loved me? I begin to cry harder until it turns into hiccupping sobs.

I cry for the years McKinley went without a father, and the years of love Hunter and I have missed out on because of our pride. I cry because deep down inside I'm still scared he'll hurt me again, and I'm too afraid to tell him that I love him too. Hunter pulls me closer into his arms and rocks me back and forth smoothing his hand over my hair and comforting me like I'm a small child.

"It's okay, sweetheart," he soothes as he places feather-light kisses on my forehead, each of my tear-stained cheeks, and finally my lips. I respond to the tender pressure of his soft lips against mine. My hands wander up his chest with a mind of their own. Sweet tender kisses quickly turn heated. I'm straining my naked breasts against his bare chest and lower my hands in an attempt to remove the boxer briefs that are preventing access to his glorious manhood. I give up and slip my hand past the waistband of the offending garment, caressing the silky smooth skin of his solid cock.

"Mmmmm, yes Evie," he murmurs as he slowly rocks his hips back and forth, sliding his rigid penis between my grasping hand. I look into his lust-filled eyes, and that's all it takes to make me moist with desire.

I need to touch him and taste him the way he tasted me. I lean up and push on his shoulder so he'll lie back on the bed. He follows my silent request and I lean over him and kiss his chest. I'm intrigued by his dark pink nipples. I wonder if would feel as good to him as it does to me? Only one way to find out. I stick out my tongue and lick his nipple and it tightens in response. Encouraged by this reaction, I suck it in my mouth and very gently squeeze it between my teeth. Hunter moans and closes his eyes. Yes, I think he likes it, I smile to myself.

I begin to kiss a path down his perfect abs, feeling them contract with each brush of my lips. From the corner of my eye, I can see my end target twitching up and down in anticipation. I place a kiss on his navel and dip my tongue into the crevasse. Hunter sucks in his breath and quickly pulls me up.

"Did I do something wrong?" I ask confused. He smiles at me.

"You were perfect, Evie. But if you want this to last more than a few seconds, I can't let you continue down that path," he warns me with a little laugh. He pulls me up his body and kisses me, gently seeking entrance into my mouth with his tongue. My legs fall to either side of his waist and I can feel his erection pressing into my wet slit as I straddle him. I begin to slide up and down his turgid shaft as he continues kissing me, his right hand kneading my breast and his left at my hip. His cock is getting slippery with my juices and I need to feel him inside of me. I lift myself up slightly and let the tip slip in. It feels so damn good. I lift up off of him, positioning myself to take in his entire throbbing member. Hunter grabs both of my hips to help guide me.

"Easy, baby. You're going to still be tender from our first lovemaking," he cautions as he helps me slowly lower inch-by-inch, until his full length is completely sheathed inside of my needy hole.

I tentatively lift my hips, until I reach the tip of his penis and then lower myself down again. I do it a few more times before Hunter grasps my waist and picks up the tempo just a little bit. The friction of him sliding in and out of me is turning my legs to jelly. Looking down at his handsome face contorted with pleasure makes my insides tremble. I watch as he closes his eyes and turn his head away from me, chewing on his lower lip.

"Am I hurting you?" I ask concerned. He laughs.

"It hurts so good," he says teasingly and grips my hips to keep me riding his cock as I try to stop. "No, baby. Don't stop. I just can't look at you right now. Watching your tits bounce and the look of delight on your face as you ride my cock is going to make me cum too fast. I need to make you cum first," he explains through clenched teeth.

The fact that he cares so much about my pleasure sends chills through me. His hands suddenly tighten around my waist, holding me still. He lifts his hips and begins thrusting into me, taking over. This move is hitting some secret place inside of me, causing the pleasurable tension to quickly build in my loins. A few more well-aimed thrusts and I swiftly tumble over the cliff of ecstasy.

I tense as the tremors race through my body. Hunter continues to pump in and out of my dripping pussy, prolonging my orgasm with every thrust. "So fucking beautiful," he groans before he tenses, following me into the waiting arms of gratification.

I tumble off of Hunter and lay next him on the bed to bask in my contentment. Before I can even comfortably position myself, I hear keys in the front door.

"Oh shit! That must be Granny Mabel bringing McKinley home," I say as I stumble out of bed looking around for some clothes to put on. I manage to grab my bra and a pair of sweats out of the dresser and throw them on before Granny and McKinley make it inside the apartment. Thank goodness, Granny always has a hard time figuring out which key goes to my apartment.

I walk out closing the bedroom door behind me, leaving Hunter to finish getting dressed. "Hey Granny, you're here early," I say in greeting as I walk toward the front door.

"What are you talking about child? I told you I'd bring McKinley home after supper and it's 6 o'clock. You know I eat dinner at 5," she says looking at me like I'm stupid.

"Hi, Momma. Granny and I went to Pastor Clemmons house after church. I got to play with Annika and then I went back with Granny to her house and we had greens and smothered pork chops for dinner. Here, Momma," McKinley says holding out a container to me. "Granny said to bring some home for you in case you worked up an appetite." I raise an eyebrow in question at Granny Mabel.

"Go on to your room and change out of your church clothes, McKinley," Granny Mabel instructs her. When McKinley is out of earshot she turns to me and states, "You have a glow about you. You finally got that tension, tension, release, I see." She laughs and sits down at the table holding out the microwaveable container to me. "Put that food in the microwave. I know ya'll are hungry," she states matter-of-factly. "Well, where is he girl?"

"What? Who?" I ask in confusion.

"Don't play dumb with me, Evie. I know Hunter planned on taking you out for a meal and by the looks of it...," she eyes my clothes, "You didn't make it out of the house. It may have been a long time since I've experienced it, but I remember what afterglow looks like," she states with a knowing smile.

If it were anyone but Granny Mabel or Megan, I'd be embarrassed by their candor. "What do you mean you knew Hunter planned to take me out? Did you help him set this up?" I ask, voice rising.

"Now, don't go getting your panties in a twist. He just asked if I would take McKinley today so that he could take you somewhere to talk. I hope you two made time to talk between all your hanky-panky," she says in all seriousness.

Hunter finally decides to make an appearance, and walks into the living area fully dressed in his black t-shirt and relaxed-fit jeans. "Hey, Granny Mabel," he greets her, leaning in to kiss her on the cheek. She pushes him away.

"Uh uh, don't be putting those lips on me! I know exactly where they've been," she exclaims. Now I'm absolutely mortified, and Hunter has the decency to blush.

"I'm glad you two finally got together, but let me tell you something. There's no going back after this. Whatever happens, you two had better work it out, because I'm not losing a daughter," she pauses, looking at me. "Or a son," she finishes, looking at Hunter. "Let the past stay in the past and concentrate on a future. I love you both," she leans in to kiss me, thinks better of it, and blows both of us a parting kiss. We laugh, completely over our embarrassment, as we escort her to the door.

I close and lock the door behind her. I don't think it was fair for Granny to put pressure on us like that. We have to be together now because we had sex? No, that's not it. She just doesn't want us to tear the family apart. She's got one thing wrong about the situation, though. The past is in the past. It's the future I'm concerned about. I'm afraid to give my heart away and have it wounded again. It's going to take time for me to trust again, and I hope Hunter understands that.

"Hunterrrr!" McKinley screams, throwing herself into his arms. I guess there's no time like the present to have a heart to heart with McKinley.

"Sweetheart, Mommy, and Hunter need to talk to you," I begin, giving Hunter a look over McKinley's head. He nods his head in understanding, and lowers himself down on the couch, placing McKinley in his lap. My throat constricts at the sight of father and daughter snuggled together. I tamp down my desire to snatch her away from him. She's mine. I'm letting my fear consume me. I take a few deep breaths in order to get my inner turmoil under control. Baby steps. I have to believe that Hunter won't steal my world from me.

"Do you remember when I told you that your daddy was away in the military fighting for our country and that someday he might find his way back to you?" I quietly inquire, trying to hide the mist in my eyes. She nods her head at me, eyes big.

"Well, pumpkin. I'm your daddy," Hunter reveals taking over with a hitch in his voice. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I wanted to make sure everything was just right."

"You're my real daddy? Like, for really real?" she asks with hope and wonder etched in her little voice.

"Yes, sweetheart. For really real," Hunter responds quietly. McKinley begins to cry and I quickly rush to her side bringing her into my arms.

"Oh sweetheart, it's alright. Please don't cry," I plead, tears running down my own cheeks. Tears glistening in his eyes, Hunter wraps both of us in his embrace.

Hiccupping, McKinley softly asks "Are we going to be a family now?" I look up at Hunter and give an honest reply.

"We're going to try," I tell her, and I see Hunter smile as the tears finally escape and slide down his face.

### Chapter 22

Hunter

I can't remember the last time I cried. It feels terrible and wonderful all at the same time. It's terrible because your heart hurts, but it's wonderful because there's something healing in the release of the tears, like some of the pain leaves with each drop. I'm not crying like a baby or anything, but seeing my baby girl and the woman I love crying because of me, unleashed something inside of me. And the fact that Evelynn said that we would try to be a family got to me too.

I'm going to get the chance to do things right and there's no way in hell I'm going to fuck it up, this time, around.

"Daddy?" McKinley questions me. She called me' daddy'. I think I might cry again.

"Yes, sweet pea?" I answer. She's still sitting in my lap with her head resting on my chest. Evie has already moved out of my embrace and is sitting on the couch next to us.

"Are you going to move back in with us now?" she asks earnestly.

Shit! Evie and I haven't had a chance to discuss something like this. Everything unraveled so quickly. I look at Evelynn over the top of McKinley's head.

"No. I think it's best if I stay in my own place for now. Just until we all get to know each other better and feel comfortable. How do you feel about that?" I hope they both understand my reasons for not moving back in with them. Well, at least one of my reasons, anyway.

"That's probably a good idea. Mommy never lets boys live with us. Except you, but that was different because you weren't her boyfriend. Are you her boyfriend now? Can Mommies and Daddies be boyfriend and girlfriend?" she asks confused. She's a smart cookie. That's a pretty damn good question.

"What do you say to that Evie?" I push her into answering the question. I'm dying to know the answer myself. I recall telling her I wanted to be her man before we had mind-blowing sex, and I'm just now realizing she never answered me − just like she never responded to my declaration of love. I'm not the world's most patient man, but I can wait for her to fall in love with me. I understand I still need to earn her trust, but I need to know where we stand in our relationship at this point in time.

"Yes, McKinley. Your Dad and I can be boyfriend and girlfriend because we're starting a relationship to get to know each other, and we're not married to one another," she explains, not answering the most important part. "Ohhhhh, okay," she says, nodding in understanding "But are you, boyfriend and girlfriend?" McKinley asks again. That's right, that's Daddy's little girl, get Mommy to answer the damn question.

"Yes," she finally responds, her big brown eyes looking straight at me. Relief immediately washes over me, and a big fat stupid grin spreads across my face. Evie arches an eyebrow at me, and I immediately wipe the smile off my face. This woman has got me by the balls, but my dumbass doesn't need to make her aware of it. Not that I think she'd take advantage of the situation if she knew the lengths I would go to win her heart. I've got to keep my cards close to the chest for now.

"Now, go play in your room for a little while so Mommy and Daddy can talk," Evie instructs her. McKinley slowly slides down off my lap with a pout on her face. "Don't worry sweet pea. I won't leave before saying goodbye," I promise her and she cheers up and skips off to her room.

"What's up?" I ask as I grab her hand, facing her on the couch. She looks down at our entwined fingers. I smile because she doesn't know it yet, but she's invited all the hand holding, kissing and touching into her life that she can handle.

"Oh, didn't you know? When you agreed to be my girlfriend, which means exclusively, by the way, you gave me an all-access pass to any and every part of your body, anytime and anywhere I choose," I inform her with a lecherous grin.

"Oh, is that right?" she inquires breathlessly. Ah, so she likes the idea of me having total access to her body. My cock starts to stiffen and I see her eyes go directly to the growing bulge in my pants. She licks her lips and scoots closer. Wait, no. We can't do this. We were going to talk about something. If this is going to be a real relationship everything can't be about sex. I clear my throat and move back a little.

"Um, yeah. So what was it you wanted to talk about?" I ask her. She tears her gaze away from my crotch and I quickly adjust myself more comfortably in my jeans.

"Huh? Um, oh yeah. So, how do you want to do this? I mean, dating me and getting to know your daughter at the same time?" she inquires.

That's a good question. Both are equally important to me.

"It would probably be easiest if I came over here after work a couple of nights a week. Not to spend the night, of course. Not initially anyway. That way I can spend time with the both of you. Maybe take McKinley to the park once in a while on Saturdays, just me and her. I'd like to also have a night for just you and me, maybe Friday nights or Saturday night after spending time with McKinley."

"Wow. You're really serious about this," Evie comments, seemingly surprised by my approach. I push the cascade of loose curls away from her face and cup the back of her neck bringing her closer to me to place a gentle kiss on her lush lips. I pull back and look deep into her eyes, hoping she can read the sincerity in mine.

"I want nothing more in this world than for the three of us to be a family," I say placing my forehead against hers. A single tear escapes her right eye. I gently wipe the tear away and place a kiss on the tip of her nose. I back away, putting space between us once more.

"You're saying and doing the sweetest things, Hunter, but then you keep backing away from me. Why?" she cocks her head to the side in curiosity. Her naiveté is really cute. I don't want to tell her that I know she's not wearing any panties because I found them on the bedroom floor after she ran out to meet Granny Mabel, and it's driving me mad with lust. Or the fact that I can tell that I affect her as much as she affects me, because her nipples are so hard right now they're trying to cut their way through her t-shirt.

This shit is hard. I'm trying to be a gentleman and she's calling me out on it. How do I tell her the truth without revealing what a sex-craved pervert I really am? It's obvious from our previous encounter that Evie won't be a prude in the bedroom, but I want to break her in slowly. Not like some sex-crazed beast.

"I'm just trying to keep everything G-rated because McKinley could walk in at any moment," I improvise. She glances quickly down the hall.

"Damn, you've got me so hot and bothered, I didn't even think of that," she says in a rush, shocking me. I laugh. Here I am trying to censor my words and Evie just comes right out and says what she's feeling. I should have known better. Honestly, even if it's out of her comfort zone, is best when dealing with Evelynn.

"Your plan sounds good, but you know we can go to your place sometimes too. You don't have to make all the sacrifices," she remarks. I shrug my shoulders.

"I'm in between places right now, so it's more convenient to come here. Besides it would probably be more comfortable for McKinley to have her toys and things." I tell her honestly because Laura is still helping me get into my new place but I'm still crashing at Brayden's in the meantime.

Besides, Gina has been seeing Brayden since the first time she stopped by his apartment to confront me, and I'd hate to have Evelynn accidentally run into her and need to explain how Gina and Brayden know each other, and why neither of us mentioned that we see each other frequently when Gina's visiting Brayden. I know it will eventually come out that Gina helped me to sabotage Evelynn's dates, but I'm hoping Evie's so in love with me by that time, none of that will matter. A man can dream.

"Question. It's completely off topic but something just occurred to me. Why are you on the pill if you were a virgin?" I ask curiously.

"To regulate my cycle," she answers unperturbed.

"And, since you brought it up. Why did you say you've never had unprotected sex before when proof to the contrary is in the other room?" she throws back at me. Touché Evelynn. Touché.

I sigh, running my hands through my hair. "I used a condom that night with Crystal. I don't know if the condom was old, or if it was a drunken mishap on my part, but the damn thing broke. I've never lied to you Evelynn," I say calmly. "Now that we've opened Pandora 's Box, is there anything else you'd like to know, or discuss, about that night before we move on?"

She looks at me quietly with her soft brown eyes. "You know, once upon a time I wanted to know everything. I wanted to understand what went wrong, but I realize now that it was a lack a communication on both of our parts. So no, I don't have any questions about that night. I'm truly ready to forgive and forget, and let the past stay in the past. But in an effort to learn from the past, I'm going to open the lines of communication with you right now." She pauses taking a deep breath.

"I heard you when you said you want to be the only man in my life, and I accept. There will be no one but you. I was listening when you confessed your feelings for me and... I'm not ready. I'm scared. I can't go through the kind of heart-wrenching pain I suffered before. I have some issues to work through, I know that, and I'll need your patience and understanding." She pauses again, looking at me and I nod that I understand.

"Please, don't ever lie to me or cheat on me. I won't even comment about laying hands on me, because I know you're not that kind of man. Besides those things I just mentioned, we can work through anything else," she finishes.

I don't have to think twice. I get down on my knees in front of her, while she remains sitting on the couch and take her hands. "I promise," I assure her, bringing her hands to my lips and kissing the inside of each palm.

### Chapter 23

Evelynn

"And then he gets down on his knees in front of me, takes both of my hands, kisses the inside of each palm and promises to be faithful and true," I recount the events of last weekend to Megan and Gina as we sit at a table in Gina's bakery. It's Saturday morning and true to his word, Hunter has taken McKinley to the park, giving me time to catch up with my friends.

"I'm so glad that everything is finally working out for you two. I can see how happy he's making you," Gina says full of cheer.

"Yeah, we'll see," Megan remarks doubtfully.

"Why do you have to be such a spoilsport, Megan? Can't you just be happy for Evie?" Gina counters.

"Hunter seems to be taking this seriously. He's had dinner with me and McKinley at the apartment, at least, three times this week, and he has her at the park right now, as we speak. So far he's doing better that I thought he would," I come to Hunter's defense.

"I'm not trying to be Peggy Pessimist here but I seem to recall that Hunter was on a date with another woman on the same night you were on a date with Jason. Does anyone know who she is? Did you bother to ask? And while we're on the subject, am I the only one who finds it odd that Hunter was conveniently around every time a new man tried to come into Evie's life? I'm telling you, something in the milk ain't clean," Megan says crossing her arms and shaking her head with conviction.

I have to admit Megan has a point. I'd forgotten all about the leggy blonde that Hunter was with at _Oishīdesu's_ that night. It shouldn't matter anymore anyway, because we're a couple now and that woman came before we agreed to be exclusive. I've never thought about how Hunter broke up the coffee date with Steve, and then happened to show up at the same restaurant, at the same time as my date with Jason.

"I don't care about the lady who was at the restaurant. I'm sure that's over," I respond flippantly. "But you're right about Hunter always being at the right place at the right time, and I never noticed it before."

"Okay, okay," I hear Gina quietly exhaling, shaking both of her hands like she's preparing for a fight. Megan and I glance at each other in confusion, like, 'are you seeing this'? "Evie don't be mad, okay?" Gina begs, her bright blue eyes pleading with me.

"Gina. What did you do?" I demand like a parent to a child.

"I might have helped Hunter just a little bit," Gina says, holding up her hand with forefinger and thumb about a half an inch apart. She pauses, building up the courage to finish. "You see, a couple of weeks ago when I was on the phone with you, Evie, I was walking into the bakery and I saw Hunter coming out of one of the businesses a few doors down. I was angry with the way he was treating you so I decided to follow him to confront him. I followed him back to an apartment that he's staying at with a friend named Brayden Caffee," I didn't miss the dreamy way she said Brayden's name, but I'll address that with her later.

"When I caught up with him, he was shocked, to say the least. I told him he was an ass for the way he just packed his things and moved out of your apartment. He told me that he wanted to give you space for the relationship to grow, he said that he loves you and was trying to do the right thing. I believed him, so I decided to help him." Gina sighs and looks at me apologetically, slumping her shoulders.

"I told him about coffee with Steve, and your date with Jason, so that he could have a fighting chance. I didn't tell him what to do. I just gave him the information. Please don't be angry with me," Gina pleads again in a whiny voice.

I consider her motives and I consider Hunter's. I shrug.

"I'm not angry. Your heart was in the right place, and I think his was too. Even though he interrupted both dates, he didn't do anything crazy or cause a scene. Each time I chose him over the other men because I wanted to. He just made himself available to me so I could choose him. Damn that man is clever. I have to give him credit for being tenacious," I comment with a bittersweet smile. I hate the idea of being manipulated, but at the same time, Hunter always left the choice up to me. It's actually pretty flattering to know the lengths that man will go to just to get my attention.

"So what's up with you and this Brayden guy?" I inquire with a mischievous grin.

"Yeah Gina, you practically moaned his name," Megan chimes in. Gina blushes and looks down into her coffee cup.

"I don't know," she says with a little smile. "We've just been hanging out. He's a big, crude Irishman. With dreamy green eyes and a sexy brogue," she gushes and then the wistful look leaves her face. "But, he always makes the most inappropriate, sexual comments," Gina finishes perturbed.

"Ah, he likes to talk dirty. He's my kind of man. Might be exactly what the princess needs," Megan laughs devilishly.

"It's just not proper," Gina objects.

"Methinks the lady doth protest too much," Megan mocks. "I think that you're more upset with yourself because you like his filthy mouth, and the possibility of the things he could do to you with that dirty tongue. A man who isn't afraid to talk dirty, isn't afraid to get down and dirty − and that shit is sexy," Megan informs Gina, who just turns a deeper shade of red. "Look Gina, you'll always be a lady, it's who you are. Just be a lady in the streets, and a freak in the sheets. Who's going to know, except you and your man? And maybe me and Evie." She says with a wink and laughs.

Megan can be crass, but she's usually right. She doesn't make sexual comments to embarrass us, that's just who she is. She's an honest, openly sexual human being, and is not ashamed of it. I guess that's what happens when you're raised by a stripper. We're an odd mix of friends, but we balance each other out.

"I wouldn't trade you guys for the world. I hope you know that " I randomly confess.

"We love you too, Evie," responds Gina.

"Yeah, what she said," Megan motions her thumb at Gina.

"Good, because I have a favor to ask," I remark with a sly grin, momentarily taking the spotlight off of Gina.

### **********

I feel happy and relaxed as I walk into my apartment with a box of cronuts and apple fritters from ' _Sweet Somethings by Gina.'_ I smile at the scene before me. Hunter is on the couch with McKinley's head on his lap. McKinley's asleep, Hunter's dozing and Pretty Pretty Princess is playing in the background. He's being a good father and it causes my heart to clench with bittersweet emotions.

"Hey, sunshine. You're back," he comments in a husky, sleep-laden voice.

"I'll put her in her bed to finish her nap, and then you and I can have snuggle time," he says as he gets up from the couch bringing McKinley up in his arms. He's back in a moment and grabs me by the hand, leading me to the couch. He sits down on the couch and pulls me into his lap. I love it when he does this, it make me feel dainty and protected. I close my eyes and snuggle into him, running my right hand over his chest.

"I found out some things today," I say, playing with the neckline of his blue fitted t-shirt. He gulps, and I can't tell if it's because I'm tickling his chest, or he's nervous.

"Is that right?" he remarks.

"Yep. Gina is seeing some guy named Brayden," I say as innocently as possible. This time, I know the gulp is nervous one and I duck my head to hide my smile. I'm going to make him sweat just a little longer.

"She said that you introduced her to him. I found it odd that you never told me about that," I comment, trailing off.

"Evie, don't be mad. I can explain," he rushes, with panic in his voice.

"No." I interrupt him, sitting up straight on his lap to look at him and pretending to be angry. "I understand everything!" I can't stomach the fear I see in his eyes so I give up my charade and put on a smile and kiss him on the lips. "It's okay, Hunter. Gina told me everything," I kiss him again and snuggle back down in his lap.

I feel his chest rise and lower as he sighs in relief. "You scared me, Evie. I thought you were angry and that you might want to call the whole thing off. Don't scare me like that," he mumbles with his lips in my hair and wraps his arms around me tighter.

"I understand why you guys did what you did. I even think it was sweet. I'm not angry at all, but I'm sure that there will be times I'll get angry in this relationship. I'll work through it. I'm not a runner," I say with emphasis. I feel his body stiffen at my comment and instantly regret my dig at him. Before I can apologize he relaxes again and places a kiss on the top of my head.

I suddenly feel something long and solid pressing into my butt. I slowly look up at him, and see he's wearing an impish grin.

"What? I can't help it. We haven't had sex all week, you're sitting on my lap, and I'm dying to bury myself inside of you," he whispers moving his face down into my neck. Damn. Megan was right. Hearing Hunter tell me he wants to be inside of me is sexy as hell. Moisture immediately gathers between my legs and I squeeze them together, as if that will stop the desire from building.

"We can't. McKinley's sleeping in the other room," I complain.

"We can if you're quiet," he whispers, lifting the flowing skirt of my dress and turning me until I'm facing away from him, still on his lap. I'm now straddling him backward and he lifts his hips to pull his basketball pants and boxer briefs halfway down. He pushes my panties to the side under my skirt, and guides me over the tip of his throbbing cock.

"Oh god," I moan at the delicious sensation.

"Shhhh, baby," he reminds me, whispering into my ear from behind, making me even wetter. I slide easily over his cock and pause when he's fully penetrating me so that I can completely absorb the sensation of being filled. It's so damn good. I lean over a little to brace my hands on his thighs so I can ride his shaft from this position.

I slowly get a rhythm going and I hear Hunter's labored breathing and low grunts. I look over my shoulder at him and he's got the back of my dress pulled up, palming my ass cheeks, looking down and watching his cock slide in and out of me. He breaks his eyes away from our coupling bodies and looks me in the eyes as he grabs my ass and fucks me harder.

I cover my mouth with my hand because I can no longer hold back the noises escaping me. My ass is slapping against his thighs as I bounce up and down on him. Suddenly he leans forward, lifting the front of my dress, and finding my throbbing clit through my panties, gives it his full attention. An orgasm crashes over me, swiftly snatching the air from my lungs. Hunter's release quickly follows as he gently bites the back of my shoulder to muffle his groans of pleasure.

I sigh with content and lean back against him, his slowly softening penis still inside of me. "I can't believe we just did that," I say to him. He kisses my cheek.

"I wish we could do it all the time," he remarks.

"You're insatiable," I tease him. He just laughs.

"Ready for round two?" he asks caressing my breasts. I suck in a gasp of surprise. I can feel him already hardening inside of me again. He really is insatiable.

"Mommy?" I hear McKinley's sleepy voice calling down the hall. I jump off Hunter's lap in a flash, readjusting my panties and dress. Thank goodness neither one of us got completely undressed. Hunter pulls his pants back up tucking the head of his penis behind the elastic band of his boxer-briefs and pulling his shirt down to hide his erection. Hmmm, that's a nifty little trick.

I look down at myself and back at Hunter again. We're both presentable.

"In here, McKinley," I finally call to her. She slowly shuffles her way into the living area and plops down in the floral chair by the fireplace curling up. She's clearly still waking up.

"Mommy, can I have a little brother or sister now that Daddy's here?" she asks around a yawn. "I had a dream that I had a baby brother. He was so cute and I got to hold him and feed him. Are you gonna have a baby Momma?"

I look frantically at Hunter. What the hell do I say to that? I understand McKinley's thought process − Mommy and Daddy had me, they're together again, so they can have another baby. If only it were that simple. Do I want to have Hunter's baby? Just the thought chokes me up. I would love to carry a part of him inside of me, a piece of him that would link us together forever. Before I can even entertain the idea of having his babies I need to be sure we're ready for a forever kind of relationship. Besides, we're not even married, and I'm not going to be a baby momma. Well, I guess I already am by default.

"I would love to have a baby with your Mom someday sweetie, but we're not quite ready for that. Besides, I'm sure your mother would want to be married first," Hunter directs the last part more to me than to McKinley. I just stand there with a blank look on my face. I'm not going to respond to the negative or the affirmative on that one.

"Are you hungry, sweetie? Would you like a snack?" I swiftly change the direction of the conversation. McKinley nods her head in the affirmative, and I quickly walk into the kitchen, but not before I notice the smirk on Hunter's face. He knows exactly what I'm doing. Avoidance is the name of the game.

"How about some fruit salad, sweetie? Would you like some too, Hunter?" I call around the refrigerator door as I duck my head inside.

"Yes Mommy," McKinley calls back.

"I'd love some," Hunter says from directly behind me startling me. I straighten and turn towards him.

"Calm down, sunshine. I'm not going to rush you into carrying my babies," he says in a low voice as he reaches out and rubs my flat stomach. "I can't wait to see you round with our child, but I understand that you still need time to trust me. I'll wait for you until you're ready," he finishes, kissing me and taking the bowl of fruit salad still clutched in my trembling hands.

### Chapter 24

Hunter

It's been a month since Evie agreed to be my girlfriend. Things have been going really well. McKinley is a happy, beautiful, smart little girl. I find myself thinking that she got her good looks and intelligence from her mother, but then I remember that Evelynn isn't her biological mother and it tears me up inside. If it hurts me to remember that, I wonder how much it hurts Evie? She says that she's forgiven me, but has she truly? She's still never told me she loves me.

I'd never thought this day would come. I told a woman that I love her, which has never happened, and I'm still waiting for her to declare her feelings for me. Women are the ones who always tell me that they love me and I've never reciprocated. That karma, she really is a bitch.

I've finally moved out of Brayden's apartment and into my own place. It took longer than I thought, but it was worth it. I can't wait to show it to Evelynn and McKinley. I get off work in a few hours and I'm supposed to meet Evie at Gina's bakery.

I've had the chance to hang out with Evie and her two best girlfriends this past month.

Gina is mild-mannered and sweet, while Megan is blunt with a wicked sense of humor. Gina and I get along famously − and why wouldn't we after she helped me to win Evie? That redhead, on the other hand, seems to be waiting to stick a shiv in my back if I so much as take one step out of line. I actually admire her loyalty to Evelynn, but you best believe I'm watching my damn back. After all, I'm not perfect.

I feel my cell phone vibrating in the pants pocket of my uniform. My partner Kelly is driving the ambulance, so I answer it.

"Hey, Brayden. What's going on?" I greet him as I pick up.

"Laura came by looking for you and I told her you were at work, but that you were going to that bakery by her job afterward. She said to tell you to swing by to get the extra set of keys to your place from her," he relays to me.

"Cool, I'll do that," I reply.

"Oh, and I found that gift bag you were frantically searching for so I gave it to Laura to give to you. I'm guessing it's for Evie and you'd probably want it for when you see her later," he adds.

"Perfect. Thanks, man, you're a lifesaver," I breathe a sigh of relief.

"No problem. I'll catch you later," he says and hangs up. We don't have any emergencies to respond to right now, so I decide to call Evie and see what she's up to.

"Hey, sunshine. Are you busy?" I greet her as soon as she answers her cell. I hear her shushing people in the background. She must have put her hand over the phone because it sounds muffled. That's odd. Why would she have a bunch of people in her office?

"What's going on? Are you at work?" I ask confused.

"Uh, no. I'm out to lunch and it's a little noisy here," she replies, voice still muffled. I look at the time on my phone 2 o'clock in the afternoon.

"Sure is a late lunch. I thought we were meeting up later. You don't want to ruin your appetite," I tease her.

"Oh no, it'll be fine. Listen I've got to go. See you later. Love you. Bye," she says quickly rushing off the phone.

I love you, bye? Somethings definitely not right here. Evie has never told me she loves me, and she just throws it out there like that, as she rushes me off the phone? I don't think she's even aware she said it. She was just trying to end the conversation. Now I'm nervous. What does she need to tell me later? And why are we meeting at Gina's bakery to do it? Is it bad, and she's afraid I'll cause a scene, so she's doing it in a public place?

Immediately I want to call her back and interrogate her, but I realize I'm acting like a punk and pull myself together.

Why didn't anyone warn me that love would make you crazy and have you doing shit you wouldn't normally do? I want to shake her and ask her what I did wrong, and then I want to kiss her, hug her and beg and plead with her, apologizing until she takes me back. And I don't even know what I've done wrong, or if I did anything bad at all. I sigh as I run my fingers through my hair.

"You alright?" my partner Kelly asks eyeing me with concern.

"Fine. I just need this shift to hurry up and get the hell over with," is my tight-lipped response.

### **********

I walk into Laura's office wearing my striped button-down shirt and blue jeans. I was able to take a quick shower and change in the employee locker room at the hospital before heading to the bakery. Looks like Laura's the only one in the office today. The rest of her associates must be out with clients.

"Hi, handsome," she surprises me with the greeting. She stands up, straightening one of her signature pencil skirts, this one black. She's got her blonde hair in one of those retro-style side buns, and her pale pink lipstick matches her blouse. She's stunning as usual as she steps from behind her desk and approaches me with catlike grace. Something's different in her demeanor. She holds up the keys in front of me dangling them.

"Is this what you came for?" she asks seductively, sliding them into my front shirt pocket, caressing my chest at the same time. What the hell?

She quickly has her body pressed against mine, her arm snakes up around my neck and pulls me into a kiss. Her lips are soft and pliant and she smells pleasant like something soft and floral, but her lips aren't as lush as Evie's and her scent isn't intoxicating like Evie's cinnamon and vanilla fragrance either. I gently push her away from me, breaking the kiss, and I unwrap her arms from around my neck.

"I'm sorry if I somehow gave you the wrong idea, but I'm not interested. You're a beautiful woman and I'm flattered, but I'm in love with someone else," I inform her as kindly as possible.

Laura steps away from me with embarrassment evident on her face. "I'm sorry. I thought you were being a gentleman because I was working with you, and that maybe things could be different now that the business part is over. I guess I was wrong," she says sadly.

There's nothing else for me to say so I stick out my hand to shake hers. She grasps my hand in a friendly handshake and I turn to walk out the door.

"Wait. I almost forgot. Brayden gave me this to give to you," she remarks holding out the robin's egg blue gift bag to me.

"It's for her, isn't it?" she softly inquires. I nod my head, turn on my heel and walk out the door towards Gina's bakery four doors down.

When I reach the outside of the bakery I notice that all the shades are closed. That's odd. Gina doesn't normally close shop for another hour or two. I check the door and it's unlocked, so I walk in.

"Surprise! Happy Birthday!" A room full of people shout as I walk through the door. Shit! All this craziness going on lately and I forgot my own damn birthday. I look around the place and see Gina, Megan, Granny Mabel, McKinley, Brayden − the sly dog − and even a few of my co-workers, including Kelly, still in her work uniform. I feel honored that they went through the trouble for me.

Megan approaches me. "Happy Birthday, dickwad. Where's Evie?" she says in her usual abrasive way. I know she means it lovingly.

"I was just wondering the same thing," I tell her as I scan the room.

"She said she saw you coming up a few minutes ago so she went a couple doors down to meet up with you," Megan says.

"Shit! Shit, shit, shit!" I curse out loud before I can stop myself. Why me? Of all the days this had to happen. I know Evelynn had to have seen Laura kiss me. Why else would she disappear during a party that she obviously went through a lot of trouble to throw for me?

Please God, let me be able to fix this. I run out the door of the bakery. I scan the area and I see Evelynn across the street, sitting in her car crying. She looks up, sees me and quickly starts the car and begins to pull out. I wave my hand in the air to get her to wait but she ignores me. I promptly run into the street. The last thing I hear is screeching tires, and then I feel excruciating pain followed by blackness.

### Chapter 25

Evelynn

This past month with Hunter has been like a dream come true. Today is his birthday and I've been planning his surprise party since Gina, Megan and I all met up at _Sweet Something's_ over a month ago. Hunter hasn't mentioned his birthday once. I honestly think he's forgotten about it. That's okay, I'm going to make it a special day he'll never forget. I'm finally ready to tell him I love him. I've been stupid about the whole thing really. I've loved him all along, and not saying it doesn't make it any less true, it just keeps him in limbo, and that's not fair. Especially since he takes every opportunity to tell me and show me that he loves me.

I left work early to come help set up the decorations at the bakery. Of course, Gina is making the cake and Megan is in charge of the decorations while I work on the guests. Travis is still deployed so he couldn't make it, but Hunter will understand that better than anyone.

Megan and I are laughing and cracking jokes as we hang the decorations when I hear my cell phone ringing. I know its Hunter by the ring tone. I answer, putting my hand over the phone, trying to shush Megan's loud mouth and Gina's laughter, along with some of her employees.

"Hey, Sunshine. Are you busy?" I hear him ask, as soon as I answer the call. "What's going on? Are you at work?" he inquires. Damn, he's already getting suspicious.

"Uh, no. I'm out to lunch and it's a little noisy here," I reply still trying to cover up the background noise.

"Sure is a late lunch. I thought we were meeting up later. You don't want to ruin your appetite," he teases me.

"Oh no, it'll be fine. Listen I've got to go. See you later. Love you. Bye," I say quickly rushing off the phone.

Oh shit. Did I just say 'I love you, bye'? I hope he didn't hear me. That's not the way I wanted to tell him. I am happy it wasn't difficult to say, though. It just came out naturally and that makes me feel good. I get back to work hanging streamers and pumping balloons full of helium. I'm glad Gina already has a lot of this stuff. She does small scale parties at her bakery on occasion. I couldn't afford it otherwise. Gina whipped up a red velvet cake for Hunter because it's his favorite, and a triple chocolate cake for me and anyone else who wants it because I hate red velvet.

Time flies and before I know it the guests are arriving. Granny Mabel picked McKinley up after school and brought her. Hunter's partner Kelly showed up in her uniform because she was trying to beat him here. Brayden walks in, and the way Gina's eyes are glued to him I'm starting to worry about her burning the appetizers.

It looks like everyone is here now. I peek my head out the front door and I see Hunter crossing the street a few doors down. He looks handsome in his casual jeans, and the blue and gray striped button down shirt I bought him, his blonde hair styled in that intentionally messy way that I love on him.

I decide to catch up with him so that we can walk into the bakery together, but he surprises me when he walks straight into one of the businesses a few doors down from the bakery.

He enters the door without noticing me walking towards him. I find myself wandering after him curious to see where he's going. When I reach the glass door I stop dead in my tracks. It's that long-legged blonde beauty from the restaurant. She's as stunning as ever with her hair in a side chignon, in a black pencil skirt with a pale pink blouse, and pink and black polka-dot peep toe heels. I watch in horror as she glides from behind her desk and slithers up to Hunter wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him. My chest tightens in anguish when I see that Hunter doesn't immediately pull away.

Has he been seeing her this whole time, or did I wait too long to profess my love so he turned to her instead? It doesn't matter. He said he loved me. He promised he wouldn't cheat on me. He lied.

I can't breathe. I need to get away from here. Just for a moment so I can think. I head across the street to where I parked my car and hop in. The tears come immediately. I'm angry at myself for letting Hunter in and trusting him with my heart again. When will I ever learn?

It feels like it's only been a few seconds when I look up and see Hunter outside of the bakery, looking at me through my car window from across the street. Please don't let him come over here. I'm not ready to confront him yet. I see him take a step in this direction and without thinking I start the engine and begin to pull out. Hunter raises his arms, beckoning for me to wait as he steps off the curb. I continue to pull out anyway.

I hear the screech of tires as a compact sedan tries to stop before slamming into Hunter. I freeze in horror and then a scream rips from my throat. I jump out of my car frantically, running to his crumpled form lying halfway under the car that hit him.

A young girl jumps out of the car with her cell phone in her hand. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hit him. It was just one text. Only one I promise!" she says with rising hysteria. The commotion has caused everyone to come out of the bakery and other surrounding businesses.

"Daddy! Daddy!" I hear McKinley screaming at the top of her lungs.

Kelly runs up, grabbing me by the shoulders gently pulling me away from Hunter. "Let me check him, Evie. Please, I've got to check his vitals." She begins checking for a pulse. "It's okay. You need to go take care of your daughter. I've got him," she says soothingly.

I'm torn. The rational part of me knows that I can't help him but the irrational part doesn't want to leave Hunter hurt and bleeding on the concrete. I know that he's in good capable hands with Kelly. I pull myself slowly up off the ground and walk towards McKinley on trembling legs. Granny Mabel is trying to calm her down, but her panic is too much for Granny to handle. I grab her in my arms just as she breaks free from Granny Mabel's grasp.

"Shhhh, baby. It'll be okay," I tell her, wrapping her in my embrace. "We have to stay out of the way so Kelly and the other paramedics can make sure Daddy's okay," I croon to her as I rub her back, trying to calm her.

Kelly, or one of Hunter's other co-workers, must have called 911 because an ambulance arrives in record time. Kelly tells me that his vitals are stable but he's unconscious. The ambulance is ready to transport him to the hospital. I'm in a dilemma because I want to ride in the ambulance with Hunter, but I know McKinley can't and I don't want to leave her alone while she's this emotional.

Megan must detect my turmoil be she grabs me and says "I'll go with him. You stay here and take care of your little girl. And don't worry, Evie. I'll take good care of him," she hugs me and jumps into the back of the ambulance.

"Oh my God! Is he alright?" I hear a voice behind me ask. I turn around to see the tall blonde beauty with the perfectly coiffed hair wearing a look of concern on her face. Something in me snaps.

"Why? Are you worried about your boyfriend? Why aren't you in that ambulance with him then?" She looks taken aback at my rapid assault. Then she narrows her eyes like she's trying to figure something out.

"You're that woman," she accuses, her eyes widening in recognition. "I saw you standing outside of my office earlier," she remarks with certainty.

She looks down at McKinley in my arms and then back up at me. "She's his daughter, isn't she? She's got those beautiful gray eyes of his. And you're the one," she comments nodding her head like she's agreeing with someone.

"What do you mean 'the one'?" I ask angrily. She sighs.

"You're the one he loves. The reason he pushed me away and told me he wasn't interested. You're a lucky woman. I hope he'll be okay," she says quietly and then walks away.

I'm trying not to hyperventilate. I can't fall apart for McKinley's sake, but if what that woman just said is true then it's my fault that Hunter is hurt and on his way to the hospital. He was coming after me to explain what happened. And what did I do? I ran. Just like I'm always accusing him of doing.

He's got to be okay. Please God, let him be okay.

"Okay, sweetie, let's go to the hospital to check on your daddy. Granny you want to ride with us?" I ask over my shoulder as I usher McKinley to the car.

"No baby, we've got to give witness statements. You hurry before they stop you for one too. I'll catch up with you later at the hospital. Give Hunter my love. Now get," she commands shooing us on our way.

I'm trying my best not to break any laws on my way to the hospital. McKinley is unnervingly quiet and I keep glancing in the rearview mirror to check on her. When we get to the hospital, we rush into the emergency room hand in hand, and see Megan in the waiting room looking like a hot mess.

"How is he? What did they say?" I bombard her as I walk up.

"I'm sorry Evie, they wouldn't tell me anything since I'm not family," she relays with a sad look on her face, reaching out to squeeze my free hand.

"Evelynn Woods," A nurse suddenly calls out.

"Yes, that's me," I respond uncertainly.

"Follow me. She can come too," she says, nodding towards McKinley. That was crazy fast. We follow the hefty brown-skinned nurse back into the emergency room, passing room after room until she pulls back a curtain to one of the rooms, revealing Hunter.

"Daddy!" McKinley yells, jumping towards him but I grab her before she makes contact.

"Be careful, sweetheart, Daddy is hurt," I admonish her.

Hunter has a large bruise on his right cheek and a bandage around his head but he still gives McKinley a small smile. "Come here sweet pea," he reaches out his right arm to her bringing her to the side of the bed. "I'm okay," he assures her, brushing the hair out of her face. "I love you, McKinley," he tells her. Tears run down her baby fat cheeks.

"I love you too Daddy," she replies.

He looks at me. "Evie, I'm sorry," he says his voice low and husky with emotion.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," I respond emotionally, rushing to his side. "It's my fault. I'm the one who's sorry," I'm crying now and I can't control it. "You didn't do anything wrong, Hunter," I place a comforting kiss on his lips, salty with my tears.

"I know what you saw Evie," he eyes McKinley letting me know he doesn't want to go into details with her in the room.

"Don't worry about that right now. Just know this. I love you, Hunter. I always have, and I always will," I confess running my fingers through his silky hair. I see a few tears slip from his eyes before he turns his head away from me as if embarrassed by his display of emotion. It just makes me love him even more.

"So what's the prognosis?" I ask trying to make him more comfortable by changing the subject.

"I had to get a few stitches for a gash on my forehead. I have a concussion − no surprise there − but I also have an open compound fracture of my right leg. They need to perform surgery to set it and close up the wound," he says matter-of-factly.

"How are you not in pain?" I demand incredulously. "Drugs. Wonderful, wonderful drugs," he says with a goofy grin pointing to the I.V. next to the bed.

"I just wanted to see you before I go into surgery, and let you know I was okay. In case, I can't remember anything that was said while on these painkillers, I'm going to need you to repeat the part where you say that you love me," He flashes a lopsided smile, revealing his dimples.

"You get better, and I'll tell you anything you want," I promise him. He perks up.

"Oh yeah? I'm gonna hold you to that," he threatens.

The nurse comes back. "Alright, it's time for Mr. Douglas to head into surgery. You can tell him goodbye if you'd like," the nurse kindly advises as she moves the curtain aside.

I lift McKinley up so that she can give her Daddy a gentle hug and a peck on the cheek. I set her down and lean in to give him a light kiss on the lips. He has other ideas because he pulls me closer and deepens the kiss. I hear the nurse clearing her throat and I pull away from Hunter blushing.

"I love you too, sunshine," he says, untroubled by her presence.

### ***********

I'm back at the hospital for the umpteenth time in the past two days. I've been taking McKinley back and forth from the hospital to Granny Mabel's house to visit Hunter. She's calmer now that she knows her Daddy's going to be okay. Hunter came out of surgery yesterday and everything looks good. The doctors are ready to discharge him today after keeping him under observation last night. He'll be wearing a cast and using crutches for quite a while, but he'll heal.

I can hear him talking on the phone as I walk up to his hospital room. "Yeah, meet us there with everyone," he pauses in the conversation, listening to the person on the other end. "Yes, bring it with you and thanks for everything," he ends the call just as I walk into the room.

"Hi handsome. You ready to blow this Popsicle stand?" I teasingly ask him.

"You think I'm handsome?" he asks, rubbing his hands across his new beard growth.

"Absolutely edible, I even like this too," I respond, rubbing my hand across the blonde hairs on his cheek. I can't help myself. I lean over and bite his stubble-covered chin then kiss his lips. I startle at the knock on the door.

"Not a minute too soon. I better hurry up and get these discharge papers signed, before I walk in here to find you two in a compromising position," the nurse laughs, holding the clipboard with discharge papers towards Hunter.

Hunter fills out the paperwork as the matronly looking nurse takes in my blushing cheeks. "Oh now, don't be embarrassed honey. I've never seen two people so in love. It's refreshing," she says with an encouraging smile and takes the completed paperwork from Hunter.

"Does this mean I'm free to go?' he asks her.

"Yes. We hope to see you better and back to work soon, Hunter. Take care of that beautiful young lady of yours," she winks at me and walks out of the room.

"I'm ready for you to take me home, my beautiful little sunshine," Hunter says softly as he grabs my hand, tugging me towards him. He's got the biggest goofiest grin on his face.

"What on earth is wrong with you?" I ask, taking in his expression.

He smiles even bigger if that's even possible. "Our love shines so brightly it even makes little old ladies smile at the sight," he gushes.

"Are you still high on pain meds, you goofy goober?" I laugh at him.

"No, just high on love," he remarks in a playful mood.

A male nurse walks into the room with a wheelchair. "If you could just grab his crutches, Miss, I'll wheel him to the hospital lobby and you can pick him up there," the nurse informs me.

"Okay. I'll just go pull the car around. I'll see you in a sec," I inform Hunter, placing a kiss on his cheek.

By the time I get the car and pull it around to the front of the hospital Hunter is out front in his wheelchair, talking with the nurse. I quickly hop out, walking around to the passenger side of the vehicle. Together the nurse and I help Hunter into the car and we're ready to go.

"I thought maybe you might want to stay with me and McKinley until you're up on two feet again," I suggest, suddenly nervous.

"I'd rather stay at my place," Hunter informs me but reaches his hand over to pat my leg as if to console me. What the hell? Why doesn't he want to stay with me? I frown. "You know I love you, right?" He says looking at me.

"I love you too," I respond.

"Good. Just trust me," he squeezes my leg and settles back into his seat.

"You're gonna wanna head in the direction of Granny Mabel's house," he instructs me and then closes his eyes, resting his head against the head rest. He can be so infuriating sometimes. But he's hurt and probably tired so I'll bite my tongue.

The drive isn't long and I shake him as we approach my grandmother's neighborhood. "Go past her house three streets down and turn left on Sycamore Court," he directs, not bothering to open his eyes. "It will be the house at the end of the cul-de-sac," He says, finally opening his eyes and sits up with a small grin on his face.

I pull into the driveway of a single-story craftsman-style home. "Is this you?" I ask in surprise. He smiles and nods. "It's absolutely adorable! A house, Hunter? No wonder you didn't want to come home with me to my tiny apartment," I accuse him. He ignores my comment as he texts something on his phone.

"Let's go inside, I want to show you around," he opens the car door and I rush to get the crutches out of the back seat. I bring them around to his side of the car and hand them to him. "Thanks, sunshine," he mutters, as he pulls himself out of the car and places them under his arms.

I walk slowly behind him taking in the lush green landscape of the home with its beautiful flower beds lining the walkway and solar lights every few feet. The home boasts a white, wooden and brick, columned front entry, with shingled siding in sage green, and a covered porch, just big enough for hanging a swing built for two. There's an attached two-car garage with the old carriage-house-style doors in dark brown wood. I think I'm in love.

Hunter maneuvers his way up the two front steps and is standing in front of the door, fumbling in his pocket for the keys. "Here, honey let me help you," I suggest reaching into his front pocket.

"Mmm, I thought you'd never ask," he moans, as I search for the keys.

"Hunter, are the keys even in your pocket?" I ask suspiciously.

"Yeah, but they're in the other pocket," he laughs. I playfully smack him on the chest and reach into his other pocket, immediately finding the keys. I open the door and step back for him to enter.

"No. You go first," he encourages me. I step into the entryway, immediately noticing the dark wood-flooring, and not that cheap laminate crap, throughout the house. We walk past a coat closet and to the right is a large family room open to the kitchen and dining area. The family room has a beautiful real wood burning fireplace and a beautiful mantle. I can tell the kitchen has been updated with its white wood and glass cabinetry and dark brown granite countertops topped off by a tile backsplash.

Instead of inspecting the family room further, I follow the entryway to the left and walk into what must be the master suite. This room is easily twice the size of mine and is empty except, for an area rug and a large king-sized, black canopy bed, right in the middle of the room. I look at Hunter.

"All that for you? I have to say I didn't see you as a canopy bed kind of guy," I tell him.

"I'm not, but I thought you might be a canopy bed kind of girl," he states in all seriousness.

"What are you trying to say?" I ask, my heart rate increasing. He ignores me.

"Come this way, back through the family room," he suggests turning and heading in that direction. He stops in front of another small hall just off the family room. "There are two bedrooms and a bathroom down this hall. Go ahead and take a look," he stands back on his crutches and lets me go ahead of him once again. I open the door to a lavender bedroom with the name McKinley stenciled on the wall. I instantly feel tears filling my eyes and blurring my vision.

Hunter makes his way to me from behind. "That woman you saw kissing me the other day is Laura. She was my realtor. She helped me find this home. This home that I want for me, you, and McKinley. I never had a relationship with her and I never wanted one. I only want you, and I want this home for our family," he explains resting his chin on the top of my head. My unshed tears break free and find their way down my cheeks.

I turn to him, burying my head in his chest and wrapping my arms around his waist. "I know you didn't kiss her, Hunter. I ran into Laura the day of the accident. She kind of told me what happened in so many words. I told you that I knew you didn't do anything wrong," I sob into his chest.

"I know what you said, but I still wanted to explain so that you understand the whole situation. I want you to know that I started looking for a home for the three of us the moment I moved out. Even before I figured out McKinley is my daughter. It's always been my intent to earn your trust and your love. That night I was out with Laura was to celebrate the fact that my offer had been accepted for this house. As you now know, I chose that restaurant because I knew you'd be there. Everything has been about you. About my love for you. I know that your confession of love doesn't mean that my struggle is over. I will try every day to show you how much you mean to me. I may not always say or do the right things, but I'll try. I won't make the same mistakes I did in the past."

"You're not the person you were then and neither am I. We've grown and I believe our love has too. We were both young, new to love and scared of rejection. We've been in love with each other forever and never had the courage to say it. How sad is that? Our lack of communication tore us apart, but fate has a funny way of bringing people back together. I promise to always talk things out with you, and to try to be patient and understanding. I love you," I tell him, pouring out all my feelings.

I reach out to him and freeze as I hear a sudden knock at the front door and a familiar voice calls out. "Hello, is anybody home?" I look up at Hunter in confusion. He smiles at me.

"We're in here. Come on in," he says, hobbling into the family room and I blindly follow. Gina peeks her head around the corner, spots us and walks in followed by Brayden, Megan, McKinley, and Granny Mabel. What the hell is going on here?

"As you requested," Megan says, handing a light blue gift bag to Hunter. Hunter clears his throat.

"Thank you all for coming over. I had wanted to do this on my birthday, but an unfortunate chain of events caused me to change my plans." He turns to me pulling out a small box the same color as the gift bag. My breath catches and my heart is racing. "I'm sorry I can't do this on my knees, sunshine. I hope that you know I love you and McKinley. I want to spend the rest of my life showing you both just how much. Will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?" he opens the box, holding it out to me revealing the most beautiful princess cut diamond I've ever seen. It could be a cubic zirconia for all I care!

"Yes, Hunter! Yes, I'll marry you," I sob and run into his arms. He plants kisses all over my face and hugs me as he struggles to keep his balance on his crutches. He stops his rain of kisses and looks around for someone.

"McKinley, come here, Sweet Pea," he motions to her. "I have something for you too," he pulls another box out of the bag, this one white. "I hope you don't mind," he says, looking at me and showing me what he has in the box. I nod my approval through my tears.

"I once gave this to your mother so that she would know that she was always in my heart. She kept it at your Granny Mabel's all these years, and now I'm giving it to you so that you'll always know you're in both of our hearts," Hunter explains to her as he places the white gold necklace with a locket of a heart within a heart around her neck.

He grasps both of us pulling us close. "I want you to know that no matter what happens, no matter how tough things get, I'll never run away again. From now on I'll run to you."

### ###

Thank you for reading my book. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it. If you enjoyed it please take the time to provide feedback at your favorite retailer.

Thanks a bunch,

Nikki Vale

Discover other titles by Nikki Vale

A Perfectly Imperfect Love

When Love Comes Around- _Coming Soon_

The Cured

Can You See Me?

Sweet Sugar Kisses

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### A PERFECTLY IMPERFECT LOVE

### Chapter One

Gina

"Posture, Gina," my step-mother quietly admonishes me under her breath. I immediately straighten my spine and make sure I haven't put my elbows on the table. That would be an absolute faux pas at such a lavish affair.

I hate these things. I should be used to false smiles, fake laughs and the overall pretentiousness of these gatherings. After all, my father is the Governor of California. As a little girl, I watched him schmooze his way up the political ladder with my step-mother at his elbow.

I get along with my step-mother just fine although she has an uncanny way of making me feel completely inadequate. I don't think she does it on purpose. I just don't meet her high expectations.

Madeline Santos is a petite blonde that has perfectly coiffed hair, with her makeup, nails and clothes always immaculate. In comparison, I'm like a gangly baby giraffe. I tower over her at 5'10 to her 5'3 and I'm anything but graceful, even though she's tried to drill the perfect etiquette and posture into me since the age of nine. You'd think I was still that trainable nine-year-old girl instead of a twenty-four-year-old woman with the way she treats me.

My mother Hillary, the former Mrs. Joseph Santos left me and my father when I was six years old. Her family had never approved of her relationship with a man born of El Salvadoran immigrants, no matter how educated he later became. I guess I wasn't good enough either because she left me behind without a second glance. The only things she ever gave me were her blue eyes, which she could have kept because they draw too much attention in contrast to my almost black hair and olive complexion, attributes of my father.

Three years after my mother left, my father met another blue-blooded American woman and married her. Madeline Mitchell saw something in my father that my mother didn't and she pushed him on the road to success. Of course she had a little help from her daddy, well-known oil tycoon, Dwight Mitchell.

The amazing thing is that I get along with Madeline's father better than anyone else in the family. He's the salt of the earth kind of man. He hails from Texas, where he owned a cattle ranch before accidentally finding oil on his land and striking it rich. Apparently Madeline's mother, Abigail Mitchell, met him shortly after he made his millions and the rest is history.

"How's your food there, little darlin'," Grandpa D, asks me. I've called him Grandpa D since I was a little girl.

It was Christmas day and I was riding my new bike when I fell off and badly skinned my knee. My father told me to walk it off and Madeline told me to stop crying like a baby, but Dwight Mitchell made a show of kissing it all better, cleaning the scrape, and putting a bandage on my knee. From that day on he was Grandpa D. My step-mother has always been Madeline and her mother Mrs. Mitchell to me.

"The food is pretty good," I reply pushing it around on the plate.

"You know, the beef I used to produce was much more tender and juicy than this piece of meat they're passing off as prime rib, right here," he comments in his thick Texan accent, spearing the meat with his fork.

"Dwight," his wife admonishes.

"Shhh, Daddy. You're embarrassing us," Madeline hisses. Grandpa D just shakes his head chewing thoughtfully on the beef.

"You know what Princess? I sometimes wonder if I didn't make a few wrong choices along the way," he says eyeing his perfect blonde wife and daughter meaningfully. "If not for you, it would all be a total bust," he says, winking at me conspiratorially and putting his arm behind my chair. I lean in a little towards his fatherly embrace.

"Sit up straight Regina," Madeline says again. I sigh inwardly, sitting up straight while Grandpa D sighs out loud and rolls his eyes. I look around the room at all the flawlessly dressed men and women sitting at tables covered with immaculate white linens and decorated with hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of freshly cut flowers and Wedgwood China.

I think Madeline expects me to find a love match out of one of the sons of my father's upper-crust friends. She keeps introducing me to every eligible first born male. I don't know what it is about people from old money. It's like they're still stuck in the eighteen hundred where only the eldest male child inherited the wealth. Marriage amongst the wealthy is practically arranged to ensure the best matches. They just don't have to give dowries anymore. I wonder how many goats I'd be worth.

I don't belong in the upper echelon of society. I may have been raised among them at an early enough age, but I've never truly fit in. I just want to get back to my bakery 'Sweet Something's by Gina,' and do what I enjoy most, baking. Well, that and hanging with my two best friends Evelynn Woods and Megan Kane.

Evelynn and Megan make me feel like I belong, even though the three of us are like night and day when it comes to our personalities.

I met Evelynn, I call her Evie, and Megan my freshman year at a UC Davis after orientation. I had gotten lost trying to find my way to the campus library when I saw a fiery redhead. It was her shoes that caught my attention. They were hard to miss – hot pink stilettos paired with jeans that accentuated her pear-shaped figure. She was with and a petite girl with caramel-colored skin, big doe-like eyes and a kind smile. I approached them and asked if they knew where the library was and they happily walked me to it.

After that we were inseparable. We still are, except to events like this one. Megan would definitely cause a scene with her abrasive personality. I have no idea how she makes it as a school teacher. Evie could probably hang with the aristocrats, except she doesn't like the insincerity of the people. She's a single mother trying to make it on her own. She doesn't have time for the 'dumb stuff,' as she would say.

"Gina, there you are Princess. I'd like you to meet a colleague of mine, Thurston Winthrop III, and his handsome son," my father says raising a dark meaningful brow at me. "Chadwick Winthrop. I'd like you to meet my beautiful daughter, Regina Santos."

I discreetly wipe my sweating palms on my linen napkin in my lap before setting it on the table and standing to shake their hands. Thurston is, at least, two inches shorter than me with liver spots and steel gray hair in a bad comb-over. His son Chadwick is an average looking guy with dull brown hair and even duller brown eyes. Chad and I would probably be eye to eye if I kicked off my heels. As it is right now, I'm looking down at him.

Thurston grasps my hand with palms sweatier than mine previously were. It takes everything in me not to wipe the moisture off on my designer dress after the brief contact. The lecherous look on his face as he scrutinizes me from head to toe makes me squeamish. Chadwick's handshake is limp and his hands are softer than Madeline's after a paraffin wax.

"Nice to meet you Mr. Winthrop and you too Chad," I greet them. I can hear Madeline gasp quietly in disapproval beside me. Great. What did I do now?

"It's Chadwick," Chad corrects me disdainfully. Madeline gives a side look as if to say I should have known better. I really should have. I've dealt with these pompous peacocks long enough to know how to speak to them. I guess I just hope to meet a real person among them someday.

"She is a beautiful girl, Joseph," Thurston says slapping my father on the back as if to congratulate him. "She sure is a tall one, though. Too bad she's not dainty and fair-skinned like her mother," he comments gesturing towards Madeline.

"Oh no, I'm not her mother," Madeline quickly chimes in. "I'm her step-mother and I'm almost young enough to be her older sister," she adds the last part for good measure. God forbid anyone mistakes her for being older than her thirty-nine years.

"That's right. My Gina takes after my side of the family, except for those stunning baby blues of hers. But, what she lacks in femininity and grace she more than compensates for with kindness and intelligence," my father responds cheerfully.

Was that meant to be a compliment? I may not be the most graceful woman, but I thought I was, at least, feminine. I'm not so sure about the intelligence part either. After all, I showed up to this function so that I could be insulted and belittled; which seems to be the norm with my family.

I feel the acid turning in my stomach. I start to chew on the inside of my lip in nervousness and look down in distraction at Chadwick's shiny dress shoes. I need to get away from all of these eyes judging me and measuring my worth. I can never seem to fit the bill.

"I'm sorry, but I need to powder my nose. If you'll excuse me," I say heading towards the ladies room without waiting to be properly excused by the gentlemen. I can hear Madeline making a remark and everyone laughing as I walk away, but I don't care. I need to get away from them as quickly as possible.

The ladies room is blessedly empty when I reach it. I go to the sink to wet some paper towels and blot my face. The damp towels are cool and refreshing against my flushed cheeks. I gently blot my forehead and under my eyes making sure I'm careful not to smudge my makeup.

I look into the mirror and see my dark fringe-cut bangs that get longer on the sides and gently frame my face. The thick wavy length of my hair has been pinned up into a perfect side chignon. I'm wearing the deep red wine colored lipstick that I favor and the rest of my makeup is flawless due to the makeup artist Madeline hired for the event. My olive complexion is looking even more bronzed because of my time spent in the summer sun.

I'm thin, but I wouldn't say masculine like my father insinuated. I'm not as soft and feminine as Madeline or her mother Abigail, but I have some curves. My breasts are almost a c-cup and I have a very slim waist, but my hips do flare out somewhat further than my waistline. I sigh.

Why am I attempting to validate myself as a woman in the bathroom of this posh hotel? Why do I let them get to me like this? I take a deep breath and smooth my hands over my four thousand dollar, white satin, crepe gown, compliments of my father. I can do this. It's only a few more hours. In times like this, I wish I had Megan's panache and Evelynn's fortitude.

I pull my cell phone out of my beaded cocktail purse. It's a Saturday evening; I'm sure Evelynn's at home with her daughter. I could use a little pick me up.

"Hi Gina," Evie greets me and I smile immediately just hearing her voice. "What are you doing? I thought you were at some lavish dinner party for your father tonight?"

"I am," I remark despondently.

"Cheer up Princess, that's no way to behave at a party," Evie teases me in her best British accent.

"What's wrong? Is the Princess not having any fun at the ball?" I hear Megan asking in the background.

"Is Megan there with you?" I question Evie.

"Yeah, she dragged her butt over here to watch Pretty Pretty Princesses with me and McKinley and help me drown my sorrows in a gallon of Rocky Road," she confesses. "Sounds like you could use a spoon and join us," she adds.

"Ask her what she's wearing," I hear Megan whisper. "Better yet, have her do FaceTime so I can see!" Megan exclaims.

"I'm sure you heard her loud mouth. So, how about it?" Evie asks. I look down at my phone and push the button to activate Facetime and they immediately accept.

"Where in the world are you? A bathroom?" is the first thing that pops out of Megan's mouth when our images pop up on the screen. "If you're in the bathroom go stand in front of the mirror so I can see more of your outfit," she demands.

I take a few steps back from the sink counter and push the button on the phone to flip the camera view. Now they can see from my head to my lower thigh, below that is blocked by the sink.

"Wow! You look absolutely gorgeous Regina," Evelynn gushes.

"Yep, a damn Princess just like I always said," Megan remarks with a smile. "Why are you in the bathroom talking to us when you should be busy fighting the men off of you with a stick? You know we're living vicariously through you, right? You have to live it up so you can come back here and give us peasants all the juicy details, Princess."

"You know you're more than welcome to join me anytime," I remind them as I turn the camera view from the mirror and back to my face. "As a matter a fact, I would absolutely love for one or both of you guys to keep me company. These affairs aren't as glamorous and exciting as you think they are," I inform them.

"Sorry dear, I don't do snobby and pretentious. How would the socially elite like to rub elbows with a lowly middle school teacher and daughter of a stripper? They'd kick me out on my ass." Megan comments derisively. Sadly, she's exactly right.

"If it's not too late when you're done there, come join us for some real food and companionship," Evie offers.

"Yeah! Pizza and ice cream!" McKinley, Evie's five-year-old daughter shouts. I can see her bright gray eyes and light brown skin pop up in front of the screen. I love that little girl. She's beautiful and sweet. She calls me and Megan 'Auntie' and it just melts my heart.

"You know what? I think I will," I say after a moment.

"Great! We'll see you then. And Gina," Evie pauses. "Remember you are exceptional and beautiful inside and out. Always, always, always remember that and hold it close. Love ya." Then she blows me a kiss and quickly ends the call.

I feel a tear slip down my cheek. Evie knew exactly why I was calling. She's met my family before and she knew I needed moral support right now even though I never said it.

Well, now that I've got my fix, I'm ready to go back out there and face my demons.

### **********

I made it through the rest of my father's dinner party last night and then headed straight to Evelynn's place. We ate pizza, ice cream, drank wine and talked until the wee hours of the morning. Megan and I crashed in Evie's spare bedroom and that's why I'm waking up with a slender freckled arm thrown across my waist and the sounds of soft snoring at my back. I throw Megan's arm off of me, startling her awake.

"Hey! What's the big idea?" she grumbles.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm all for snuggling, but you're just not my type," I tease her. She tosses her long red hair out of the way and squints her green eyes at me.

"Keep telling yourself that, Princess. I'm everyone's type," she chuckles and buries her head back in the pillows as I get up out of the bed. I'm wearing a pair of Evie's yoga pants and a t-shirt which looks like capris and a mid-drift t-shirt on me. I make my way to the hallway bathroom to brush my teeth with one of the new spare toothbrushes that Evie keeps on hand for times like these.

McKinley walks into the bathroom as I'm brushing my teeth. She walks right on over to the toilet, pulls down her pajama pants, sits down and proceeds to pee.

"Good morning Auntie Gina," she says around a yawn.

"Gotta love kids, they have no shame at all. When they gotta go, they gotta go," Evie comments from the doorway. She's holding out a washcloth and a hair brush for me so I can wash my face and do my hair.

"McKinley and I are going to church with Granny Mabel this morning if you want to join us," Evelynn extends the invitation. "Megan is opting out, she says she doesn't want the church to burn down as soon as she steps over the threshold," she comments laughing.

"Maybe next time, I don't exactly have the appropriate clothes," I tell her. Megan walks up to the bathroom door behind Evie.

"I'm sure they wouldn't mind if you showed up looking like Bruce Banner, after he turns into the Hulk," Megan laughs, pointing at Evelynn's doll-sized looking clothes on me. I look down at myself and we all start laughing. I do look pretty ridiculous.

"Hey, it was either this or sleeping in the nude and with the way you like to snuggle in your sleep, that definitely would have ended in disaster," I remind her.

"Touché," Megan says in response.

I brush my teeth and comb the tangles out of my hair while Megan waits for her turn at the sink. I love the time I spend with my best girlfriends. It's times just like this, that reminds me of our college days.

"Are you feeding us, or sending us home with empty bellies," Megan calls out to Evie who has left the bathroom and made her way into the living room.

"You're more than welcome to some Frosted Flakes," she shouts back.

"I could have that crap at home. I expect better when I come over here Evelynn," she complains.

"Mi casa es Su casa, feel free to whip us all up some breakfast, Megan. There is eggs and sausage in the fridge," Evie responds. I chuckle around the toothbrush in my mouth. We all know that Megan is not domestically inclined.

"You heifers must have a death wish," she remarks with her hands on her ample hips.

"Death by your hands, or by your cooking?" I ask, teasingly.

"Keep it up missy. You're not special just because you bake fancy pies and shit," she says in a mock threat. I laugh and stick my tongue out at her as I brush past her on my way out of the bathroom. Megan just huffs and walks into the restroom, closing the door behind her.

"Well, I'm going to head home and hope no one I know sees me along the way," I say to Evelynn as I retrieve my formal dress and heels from her coat closet. "Come here little munchkin and give your Auntie Gina goodbye smooches," I say to McKinley.

She immediately jumps up from the breakfast table and throws her little arms around my neck, planting wet kisses on my cheek. I swoop her up in my arms hugging her, and then I give her a quick tickle. She giggles and squirms until I put her down.

This is my real family.

"Bailing on us so soon?" Megan asks as she walks into the living room fully dressed in tight jeans, a hot pink, fitted t-shirt, and bare feet.

"Yep, I'm going to go home and put on clothes that actually fit. I'll just relax for the rest of the day. I might try to come up with some new recipes that I can try in the bakery when we open up again in the morning. We're still going to meet at Shay's Bar and Grill on Friday, right?" I ask confirming our date for a girl's night out.

"Definitely," Evie says.

"Damn straight," Megan chimes in.

"Oh, and don't forget the workout class at the gym right after work Friday too," I remind them. They both sigh in disgust. "Come on guys. You promised," I whine.

"Fine," Evie concedes.

"I'm not making any promises," Megan remarks. I just smile because I know that Evie will drag her along when she comes.

### Chapter Two

Brayden

"That chick Jasmine is shooting daggers at you. What happened with her?" my buddy Troy asks from above as he spots me. I do a few more reps, put the weights back, and sit up on the bench looking around for the woman he's referring to.

Yep, there she is with her tight little body on display in her sports bra and skintight workout pants. She's looking at me like she could murder me with her bare hands. I smirk and shrug my shoulders.

"Another one bites the dust, huh?" Troy comments, chuckling.

"Who's the new casualty you're talking about now?" Jackson asks, coming up on the conversation after completing his bicep curls.

"The hot blonde over there, in the purple stretch pants, with the tramp-stamp on her back," Troy remarks, nodding in Jasmine's direction.

"What's wrong with this one?" Jackson asks.

"Absolutely nothing. Why does something have to be wrong with her? We had fun and now it's over, end of story," I casually explain.

"I keep telling him one of these days he's going mess with the wrong chick and get his balls handed to him," Troy remarks. Then he pulls his white t-shirt on over his head, covering his expanse of dark brown skin and the evidence of his run in with said crazy chick, along with it.

A couple of years ago Troy's wife, Darlene, showed him what a woman scorned was capable of when she took a steak knife to him. He's remained faithful to that woman to this day. If it's because he truly loves her or is afraid for his life, we'll never know.

"These ladies know I'm not in it for a relationship. I let them all know exactly what I'm about, up front. I'm down for some fun and that's it, nothing serious," I express to them. "Besides, you can't tell me you don't get plenty of women with your boy-next-door good looks and charm, Jackson."

"Yeah, but I'm not a love them and leave them kind of guy. I'm looking for that keeper and when I find her I'm holding on for dear life," Jackson admits smiling, wrapping his arms around himself in a hug.

"Well I'm not looking for a forever kind of woman right now, but if I find the one that I can't live without, I'll make her mine. Then and only then, will I become a one-woman man. That's a promise," I challenge them.

"I hope you eat those words," Troy comments and Jackson nods his head in agreement.

I don't know why these two are getting on my case. So, I slept with Jasmine and never called her again? If she didn't want me to take what she was offering, she shouldn't have offered. I'm a hot blooded male. If a beautiful woman wants to fuck, who am I to turn her down?

I love women. I've just never been in love with one. I don't lie to get women to sleep with me and I've never lied and told a woman I love her. That ought to count for something. Why am I the bad guy? If you sit on my lap, bouncing your tits in my face, begging me to take you home and I take you home and fuck you good and hard, then send you on your merry way, I'm a terrible person.

"It's those damn green eyes and that Irish accent of his. It hypnotizes the ladies into losing their damn minds," Troy jokes.

"Don't forget the fact that we're firemen. For some reason, that always attracts the ladies," I add. "Are ya fellas still hanging out Friday night at the pub?" I ask them, my accent slipping out. I only do that from time to time, especially if I've recently spent time with my family. Troy looks down at the ground scratching the back of his neck. I laugh at his unease.

"Darlene is more than welcome to join us," I offer and he immediately cheers up. His wife's definitely got him by the balls. Darlene's actually a great woman and the guys don't mind having her around.

"Then yeah, we'll be there," Troy responds, relieved.

"I'll probably stop by too," Jackson says.

"Great. See you guys then. Thanks for the spot Troy," I tell him as we clasp hands and bump shoulders. I do the same with Jackson and then head out of the gym to my truck. I always shower and change when I get home. Before I make it to my vehicle, I hear a voice call out to me and I know who it is before I even turn around.

"Hey Bray," Jasmine says approaching me. I hate it when she calls me that. It's not cute at all, it sounds like something a horse would do.

"What's up Jasmine?" I ask out of politeness.

"I was hoping we could get together again sometime," she says in a husky voice, stepping closer to me and placing her hand on my chest.

I don't get it. Don't women know that if a man wanted to see you again he would call or perhaps, acknowledge your existence as he works out for three hours in plain sight of you? Apparently that behavior isn't obvious enough for some people.

"I'm on duty for the next two days," is my response. I'm off for four days after that but she doesn't need to know that.

"What about later in the week?" she probes. She's rubbing my pecs through my shirt trying to tempt me into hooking up with her again. The problem is, if I do that, she'll start to think it's something more than what it is and I can't have that. I only have one regular girl and that's Mae. The only reason she remains a fixture in my life is because she's a high powered business woman and doesn't want to be tied down, which suits me perfectly. Mae and I have an unspoken, friends with benefits arrangement.

"Listen, Jasmine, I had fun the other night, but I'm not really looking for anything more," I tell her as kindly as possible.

"You're a dick, you know that?" she shouts pushing me in the chest. And there it is. Now I'm the jerk. I'm not the one that approached her the other day while I was working out and pressed my body up against hers. I'm also not the one that gave her my phone number asking for her to call if she was looking for a good time.

I climb into my truck shaking my head. Damn women. Just because I slept with you once doesn't mean I want to do it again. And if I happen to actually want to sleep with you again, it doesn't mean I want you to be my girlfriend.

### **********

It's a warm, balmy, Friday night in Northern California as I head to PT's Pub, around the corner from my apartment building. I'm comfortable in a blue fitted t-shirt, relaxed-fit jeans and a pair of Nike AF1's. I'm ready to hang out drinking and having a good time with the fellas.

When I step in the pub I see Troy and Darlene already having drinks at the bar. Troy's dressed similarly to me in jeans, a black t-shirt and a pair of Jordan's. Darlene turns in my direction and stands in greeting when she recognizes me.

"Hell gorgeous," I say hugging her and giving her a chaste peck on the cheek. Darlene is a pretty woman, with her mocha colored skin, almond shaped eyes, and Halle Berry hairstyle. You would never guess that this beautiful, sweet, petite woman, could have a dangerous temper when pushed too far.

"What's up Brayden?" Troy greets me, clasping my hand and bumping my shoulder with his. Then he slings his arm over Darlene in a subconscious signal of possession. I chuckle to myself. Troy has no worries because the one thing I never do is encroach on another man's woman.

I order a beer from the bartender and lean against the bar next to Troy sipping from the bottle. I casually look around the room until my eyes land on a curvy brunette, with deep brown eyes and an olive complexion. She's playing pool and her eyes catch mine as she leans over the table with her long brown hair hanging over her shoulders, she licks her cherry red lips and dips a little lower to display a nice pair of breasts. She winks at me right before she takes her shot.

"Oh, geez Louise. He's at it already," Darlene comments.

"What? What did I do?" I ask innocently, with a knowing smirk on my face.

"You haven't been in the bar five minutes and you're already eye fucking some chick," Darlene retorts. Troy just stands behind her covering his laughter with his hand.

"In my defense, I just looked at the woman. She's the one that licked her lips and put her tits on display. I had to look. I am only a man, after all," I say, pleading my case.

"I keep telling him babe. One of these days he's going to hook up with the wrong chick," Troy remarks.

"No, one of these days he's going to find the right one and she's going to bring him to his knees," she says with a knowing smile.

"Like you brought Troy to his knees?" I reply, referring to the day she caught him making out with another woman.

It was several years ago and we were all out drinking, having a good time. One of the barflies was all over Troy that night and he was sloppy drunk. The girl climbed up into his lap and started kissing him. That's when Darlene walked into the bar and all hell broke loose. Darlene dragged the girl off Troy by her hair and cut him with a steak knife she grabbed from the table. Me and Jackson had to pull her off of him. Till this day, Troy never goes out drinking without his wife.

"Whatever it takes to get the point across. Right baby?" she asks Troy, her voice dripping with honey. Troy shoots daggers at me with his eyes.

"You definitely helped me see the error of my ways," he remarks, bending down and kissing her on the top of her head. I'm starting to think that they really do love each other.

Troy wouldn't have slept with that other woman that night, and if I'd been paying closer attention I wouldn't have allowed it to get as far as it did. I may mess around with a lot of women, but I do believe in the sanctity of marriage, which is why I haven't tied myself down yet. I come from a devout Catholic family and once you get married that's it. Till death do you part, for real.

I'm looking in the direction of the pool tables to see if I can find that brunette bombshell again when I spot Jackson coming towards us with a tall leggy blonde attached to his elbow. Am I the only one who showed up tonight without a date?

"Hey, guys. What's up?" Jackson greets me and Troy with the normal handshake and shoulder bump. "This is Amber," he introduces the woman with him. I look at her and catch my breath. Those big blue eyes are familiar. When she sees me looking at her she averts her eyes in mortification.

Oh shit! This is the Amber I met a few weeks ago at the grocery store and banged in the parking lot in the cab of my truck. I hope Jackson hasn't slept with her yet. Don't get me wrong, I personally don't care if he has, but I don't know if he'll care that we've slept with the same woman.

"Hi, I'm Darlene and this is my husband Troy," Darlene says, with a small wave. Amber smiles and returns a small wave of her own. She's clutching onto Jackson's arm for dear life, practically trying to crawl up into his armpit. She's definitely going to give away the fact that we've already met. Jackson looks down at her in confusion. Here it comes.

"Have you two met before?" he questions me. I duck my head rubbing the back of my neck and nod. I can tell by the look on his face he understands exactly what that means.

"Great, just fucking great. I think I meet a good girl and then I find out you've already been with her," Jackson seethes.

"Hey, just because she's been with me doesn't make her a bad girl. Besides, it was only once," I come to Amber's defense. I look at her and her eyes are misted over like she's trying to fight back tears. Then she speaks up for herself.

"I'm not a whore, so stop looking at me like that. When I hooked up with him it was the first time I ever did anything like that in my life," she explains, her voice cracking with emotion. "He was so handsome, charming and kind. It just sort of happened, but I didn't feel dirty or ashamed about it, until just now," she says, staring at Jackson in accusation. Amber slips her arm from around Jackson's. Then she turns on her heel and storms out of the bar.

All three of us stand there staring at Jackson in expectation. I think he was momentarily stunned because he suddenly shakes it off and runs out of the bar after Amber. I turn to see Troy and Darlene looking at me with judgment in their eyes, as they shake their heads with disapproval.

"What? You act like I slept with his girl. I met her first, and she was okay with the encounter. Didn't you hear what she said?" I appeal to them. I can tell they aren't going to side with me on this one. I ignore them, throw back the rest of my beer and seek out the hot brunette that I'm going to take home tonight.

