Faker - Sarah Smith Page 0,73
I graduated college, we went through the entire name-changing process together, filled out all the paperwork.”
“I bet that meant a lot to her.”
“It did. She cried when I showed her all my new legal documents with Emmaline Echavarre printed on them.”
“You win daughter of the century for that. What about your sister?”
“My mom didn’t want her to change her name as a minor. She wanted Addy to make her own decision about it when she was old enough.”
“Did she?”
“Yeah. As soon as she graduated college, she changed her name. She’s Addison Echavarre now.”
“My God, you and your sister have epic names.”
“Thanks, I guess?”
He wags an eyebrow at me. “I like your name. I always have. And I admire your conviction. A lot of people wouldn’t legally change their names, not even for their mom. It shows what integrity you have.”
I beam from the inside out. It’s divine, winning the admiration of someone who is historically impossible to please.
“I was very into sticking to my guns and living out my convictions at that age.”
“Are you different now?”
“Yes. Not everything needs to be a powerful statement about character or society or whatever. Sometimes, things are the way they are and nothing more.”
My words are strangely relevant in this moment. We have a hell of a hostile past, but right now, we’re content. Just two people on a date, enjoying the company of each other in the presence of wine and cupcakes.
“Echavarre is much better. Emmaline Walden sounds like the name of a little girl who attends boarding school in Wales.”
“I look the exact opposite of a Welsh school girl.”
He gives me a side glance that radiates warmth. “I love the way you look, especially in that dress.”
His empty glass clinks against the counter when he sets it down, probably because his gaze is fixed on me. “Come here.”
“I thought you said to stay on opposite sides.”
“Just for a sec. Promise I’ll behave.”
I wish upon all the stars in every galaxy that he’s lying. I round the counter. In a hot second, his hands are on my waist, I’m pressed up against him, and I’ve forgotten how to inhale.
“Breathe,” he whispers, his breath moistening my mouth. My tongue runs along my bottom lip, and I take in the sticky air around us.
Eyes open, he presses his lips against mine. Their velvet feel delivers a lightning bolt to my heart. Before we can get our tongues involved, he pulls away.
“That’s all I can do. It’s all we should do,” he huffs.
I nod. Heat simmers between us, but our brains know better. He lets me go and takes a step back. With the cupcakes tucked under his arm, he walks to my front door.
I should see him out, but instead I stay put and open my mouth.
“How about you stay the night?” I’ve never gone this deep on a second date before, but this is unlike any second date I’ve ever had.
He turns to me with his brow lifted.
“A reward for how good we’ve been. We’ve behaved ourselves pretty well so far, don’t you think? We can sleep in my bed and cuddle, just like we did on the couch those nights you came to check on me after my surgery. We won’t take it further than that, of course. It’s just, I—I know we’re only at our second date, but it feels like so much more, don’t you think? Probably because of our history.” The hurried way I babble gives away my nerves. I swallow to steady myself. “I’ll be good if you’re good.”
His stare gives nothing away. First there’s a frown, then a sigh, then dropped eye contact to the floor. I brace myself for the excuse, for the letdown, for the embarrassment I’ll nurse with the leftover wine sitting on my counter after his rejection. But then he looks up, a grin on his lips and something extra in his eyes.
“Let me shower first. Then we can head to bed.”
nineteen
It’s a darn shame.” Perry’s nasally voice cuts through the song playing in my earbuds. “You’d think Tate would know how to schedule tweets properly.”
The noise drifts from Will’s office. I yank out my earbuds so I can eavesdrop. It’s not often that I hear Perry trash-talk Tate. He wouldn’t dare do such a thing to his face, but Tate’s running late this morning, because after spending last night kissing, cuddling, and dozing in my bed, he had to drive back to his place to get ready for work.
Rules were set to preserve