“Whatever. I’m too comfortable to fight that obnoxious statement.” I stretched my arms over my head. This was certainly the life. A girl could get used to making love all night and sleeping until noon.
I sat up and pulled my knees to my chest. “So who is the friend who keeps this mini mansion as a second home?”
“An old college friend of mine, this was his family’s place. We used to come here during breaks and sometimes on weekends during the summer.” Evan answered without looking as he messed with the controls.
“So this was the place for wild parties I guess.” I settled on my side as I raised my eyebrows at Evan. He laughed and shrugged.
“We’d have people here, I don’t know how wild the parties were.” Evan came over to my beach chair and sat on the edge. “Is that your sneaky way of asking if girls were here?” He leaned in and ran his hand up and down my thigh. I shook my head at the smug grin on his face. “Yes. There were. But I honestly don’t remember any of them.”
“That many?” I crinkled my nose at Evan. He came closer and ran his thumb along my jaw.
“Enough. Usual college stupidity. As much as I tried, I was never the love ’em and leave ’em type.” I rubbed the back of his neck and laughed. I pulled Evan closer and kissed his cheek.
“I just don’t like to think of you with anyone but me. Silly, isn’t it?”
Evan shook his head. “Not at all. I hate thinking of you with anyone else. But now neither of us has to worry, right? Both of us are right where we’re supposed to be.” Evan nibbled on my bottom lip as I giggled. “And now that I’ve got you, I’m not going anywhere.”
While Evan cooked, I set the outside table for us and put on the porch lights.
“What did your dad say?” Evan’s father wouldn’t answer Evan’s call this morning, and he spent most of the day worried to distraction until he finally got through to one of the neighbors to check on him.
“The usual. Annoyed that I had someone come to his apartment.” Evan shrugged and shook his head. “He’s usually fine, but he’s more and more unsteady, falls all the time. I don’t think this facility is cutting it for him. As much as I hate to do it, I think he needs to go into a home. At least I know someone will be there God forbid anything else happens.” A son like Evan was more than his father deserved; at least I thought so. He’d been an absent father since his wife died in a car accident when Evan was fifteen, but Evan always worried about him.
I rubbed his arm as his gaze focused on the redwood decking. I saw the abandoned little boy in Evan’s expression whenever he talked about his dad. I wished that I could take it away, make him feel taken care of and not so alone.
“I’m sorry, babe. But like you said, at least this will make you stop worrying. Did you have a place in mind?”
Evan nodded. “A nice one, too. In the Bronx, but right on the water and it has a great reputation. I researched it a while ago, when I figured I’d eventually have to pull the trigger. Not that the family comes to see him very often but at least maybe he’d feel better being closer to his old neighborhood. He hated when I sold the house. I’ll contact the home when we get back and see how long it would take to get him moved in.” He took a long gulp of his wine.
“The next time you go to see him, can I go with you?” Evan grimaced and put his hand on top of mine.
“My dad . . . isn’t a very nice man. It’s why I could never get an aide to last longer than two weeks. I don’t want to subject you to that, Daisy.”
I took his hand in both of mine. “I’ll go with you the next time you see him, and I’ll help you move him in when the time comes. You don’t have to do all of this alone anymore. You’re kinda stuck with me.” I rose from my seat and planted myself in his lap. A slow smile spread across his face as he wrapped his arms around me.
The nighttime breeze blew my hair across my face. Evan caressed it off my forehead. “I know. And it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
“You sure you’re ready for this?” I raised my eyebrows at Evan as I pulled his hand back.
Evan shrugged at me. “Why wouldn’t I be? I’ve been around your family for years. You aren’t ashamed of me or anything, are you?” He cocked an eyebrow at me as he pulled me closer.
I glanced over his shoulder at my aunt and uncle’s front door. They were throwing Jack and Ellie a big baby shower, and my entire family would be there—and know Evan and I were together. They all loved him, so they would be thrilled—too thrilled. I wanted to make sure we could define what was going on between us before I got their hopes up. I told my mother I was “seeing” someone and was bringing him with me today, but wouldn’t give her any other details.
“Never, babe. Just brace yourself, okay?” Evan chuckled and kissed the tip of my nose.
I led him up the outside steps and opened the screen door. The house was already bustling with noise and activity. My extended family was loud, and big. Blue streamers and “It’s a Boy!” signs were everywhere. Jack wasn’t crazy about taking part in what he considered a girly tradition, but I had a feeling my aunt and uncle threw this co-ed shower to celebrate with their son as much as they could. Today was a happy day, focusing on the good things.
“Well it’s about time. I thought you said you’d be here earlier.” My mother pursed her lips as we strolled inside. As usual, I was in trouble with her before I even entered the room.
“It’s 12:10; the shower started at noon. Nice to see you too, Mom.” She fought a smile as she gave me a big hug. It had always just been me and my mother since my father died when I was a baby. We were opposites in every way and sometimes bickered like sisters.
My mom had dark chestnut hair and brown eyes, while I took after my father with my blonde hair and green eyes. I was also almost a full head taller. Being a single parent, she never could give up her hovering habit. I was always chewed out for never calling or visiting enough, but I never spent one second of my life unsure whether she loved me. After hearing stories from Evan about his father, I grew a new appreciation for my mom’s helicopter style of parenting.
“Evan! How are you, honey?” My mother pulled Evan into a hug; she still hadn’t realized we were here together.
“Good to see you, Mrs. Taylor.” Evan stepped back and put his arm around me. She furrowed her brow as she looked between us.
“Paige, you got too skinny. And you look tired. You need to learn to stop burning the candle at both ends.” Mom shook her head at me as I rolled my eyes.
“I tell her that all the time.” Evan nodded at my mother, who now looked even more confused.
“Paige, didn’t you say you were bringing the new guy you were seeing? Because it looks like you’re here with—” I gave her a sheepish smile as I glanced over at Evan. He pulled me closer and kissed my forehead. My mother’s eyes bugged out of her head as she covered her mouth with her hands.
“Oh my God! Finally! After all these years of praying and lighting candles that you would finally find someone decent. I never thought I’d see the day!” I groaned and put my face in my hands. This was going to be the longest baby shower ever.
“Paige, I thought that was you!” Great-Aunt Rose hobbled out of the kitchen as she rushed over to me.
“Hi Aunt Rose! You remember Evan?” She smiled and squeezed Evan’s hands.
“Sure I do. Nice of you to be here for your friend today.”
“Well, Aunt Rose . . . he’s actually—”
“He’s here with Paige, Rose. Can you believe it?” My mother nudged her shoulder as my aunt’s mouth opened wide.
“Paige, we’ve all been so worried about you. I was afraid you’d end up marrying that small boy you were engaged to, but now you finally found someone nice!” Aunt Rose gave Evan a creepy once over. “And he’s cute, too!”
“He’s also standing right here, Rosie—and he’s not cute and deaf.” I wanted to crawl into the corner, but Evan just laughed.