of polite conversation, was confused by the subject change. But still, she said, “I know.”
He leant against Evan’s car. “I always thought you were cool.”
Nothing could’ve possibly shocked her more. Ruth was impressed with herself for not falling off the wall. She maintained her composure and her seat, and said with clear scepticism, “You did?”
“Yeah. You always used to iron Storm patches onto your rucksack. And you had those cool glasses.”
Ah, yes; her thick, turquoise, milk-bottle glasses. She thought they were cool too. No-one else had.
Except Zachary Davis, apparently.
“My mother ironed on the patches,” she said. “I wasn’t allowed to use the iron.”
His lips quirked, and she realised that she’d given unnecessary personal information. Oops. It was his fault for being so non-threatening. He was kind of like Evan, without the intimidating sex appeal.
Although, she thought wryly, Evan’s sex appeal didn’t seem so intimidating anymore.
“Hey,” a familiar voice called. Zach stepped aside to display Evan himself, coming through the forge’s front doors with a wide smile on his face. He reached the car with a speed that belied his easy stride, elbowing Zach in the ribs. “You chatting up my girl?”
“I’m confessing my childhood hero-worship,” Zach said. “It was nice to officially meet you, Ruth.”
Because in this town, you could know someone without ever actually talking to them.
She smiled. “You too.”
Then Zach clapped Evan on the back and said, “See you later, mate.”
“Say hi to your mum for me.”
Zach nodded and wandered off. He seemed to do everything with an oddly casual air. In fact, she wondered if he knew where he was going, or if he was just… walking.
Then he stopped by a grey Golf and unlocked the door. Apparently, he had indeed known where he was going.
Ruth hopped off the little wall and moved closer to Evan, feeling herself smile. It was a ridiculous and involuntary smile that she wasn’t in the mood to stifle. In fact, after her success at the library, she felt more relaxed than she had in a while.
He slid an arm around her waist and kissed the top of her head. “You’re cheerful.”
“I suppose I am.” She held up the flower. “Want this?”
“Is it for me?”
Ruth bit her lip on a smile and shrugged.
Evan’s grin widened. “You got me a flower. How romantic.”
“Don’t get carried away.”
“I think I’ll press it,” he said, a teasing glint in his eyes, “and treasure it forever.”
“Behave yourself. Are you busy tomorrow night?”
Evan plucked the flower from her fingers before unlocking the car. “Me and Zach were talking about a drink after work. Why?” He opened her door, waiting for her to get in.
“Well, I wanted to go somewhere with Hannah. Somewhere in Ravenswood. Like the Unicorn.”
Evan nodded and shut the door behind her, holding up a finger. He was opening the drivers’ door moments later, sliding into his seat. “I see. Did everything go okay today?”
Ruth nodded, watching as he placed the tulip carefully in a cup holder. “I signed up to volunteer at the library.”
“You used to do that, right? Before?”
“Yeah, I…” She trailed off as they pulled out of the little staff car park, driving right past the forge doors. Right past Daniel, who stood in the doorway, his eyes wide.
Ruth turned away, looking straight ahead. She wasn’t going to spend the rest of her life tiptoeing around, just to avoid him. He didn’t bother avoiding her. It was well past time to start living her life.
“He hasn’t even looked at me all day,” Evan said quietly. Ruth jumped slightly in her seat as the words pulled her out of her defiant thoughts.
“Daniel?” she asked.
“Yeah. He’s always in my face, one way or another, but today? Nothing.”
She drummed her fingers against her thighs. “Maybe Mr. Burne said something to him.”
“He told me I could lose my job if I didn’t leave you alone.”
Ruth’s jaw dropped. ”Mr. Burne?”
“Oh, no. Daniel.”
Ah. Her growing outrage soothed, and she relaxed back into her seat. “Don’t listen to that. He puts his dad’s name on his own bullshit. Mr. Burne doesn’t even like Daniel. I don’t know why they work together.”
“Probably because Daniel’s so good at his job.”
Daniel was good at everything.
Except people, she finally realised. People, and relationships, and happiness and sex.
Speaking of which…
Evan’s muscles shifted as he changed gear, pulling into Elm’s little car park. She watched the glide of power beneath his golden skin and felt a familiar tightening between her legs.
“So,” she said. “Wanna fuck?”
Evan jerked his head round to look at her. Then he burst