other before falling to the side, laughter spilling out of us.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
EVIE
It’s been a quiet morning. Only Wyatt, Eli and Jaxon are in the office with me. They’re unloading new boxes and supplies. This isn’t uncommon. Since I started, I’ve only been alone during the day a handful of times. It’s Jaxon who spends most of his time here, going over shipment orders and pick-ups.
I have to leave soon if I want to meet Rebecca, and I haven’t had a chance to talk to Jaxon about taking a longer lunch break. I have been too occupied with the heated looks Wyatt has been sending my way.
Just walking in this morning and seeing him sent shivers down my spine. I’ve never wanted someone as badly as I want him. Every time he’s near, I have to force myself not to hug him, hold his hand, or kiss him. I want to be close to him, but until we are alone and not working, I’m going to act professional. After… all bets are off. It might be selfish of me, but I’m going to listen to Rebecca. She has been right in everything she’s said. I have no hope of helping Wyatt and his brothers if I’m not here. And I won’t know if what is between us is more than attraction if I don’t give him all of me.
My phone beeps and I turn it over, opening the message.
Becca: Are you ready?
I glance towards the back room, hearing the guys moving about, and let out a sigh. Picking up my phone, I type out my reply.
Evie: I’m asking now. Give me five.
I ignore her reply as I head into the back, finding the guys heaving boxes off the back of a loading truck. They stop when they see me, and Jaxon steps off the back of the van.
“Is everything okay? Did Lily call?”
“Was she meant to?” I ask, thinking back to the calls that came through. I know I didn’t miss any.
“Yes. No.” He shakes his head before taking a breath. “Is everything okay?”
He looks worn out, and I haven’t missed how worried he’s been about Lily. She has been sick off and on for a week or so, but it feels like something more is going on. I wouldn’t be surprised if Andrew is the reason he’s acting more overprotective towards Lily. He might be worried Andrew will go for her next.
The thought makes me sick because she is such a sweet, kind, innocent woman.
“Yes, but I was wondering if I could take a long lunch break?” I ask, keeping my smile in place.
Wyatt steps closer, his forehead creasing. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, I just need to go for a check-up at the doctors. Nothing to worry about,” I lie, glancing back to Jaxon. I don’t want Wyatt to see the lie.
Jaxon rubs the back of his neck, nodding. “You might as well take the rest of the day off. We’re closing after the Carrington move.”
“Are you sure?” I ask, knowing there is still stuff to be done.
He waves me off, lifting the crate back up. “Go. It’s fine. You deserve it after everything you got done yesterday.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll walk you out,” Wyatt announces, following me into the main office.
I grab my coat and bag and head for the door. We step outside and find ourselves beneath a blanket of darkening clouds.
“It’s going to rain. You might want to get that delivery in,” I warn him, glancing at the boxes of tape and other supplies sitting against the wall.
“I will,” he replies, stopping me before I can open the door. “Are you sure everything is okay?”
“Yes, why wouldn’t it be?”
“You look pale and you were off yesterday,” he explains, an adorable crease between his eyebrows.
I run my thumb along it, smoothing it out. “Stop worrying. I’m fine. And yesterday was a weird day. You guys are tense at times.”
“I’m sorry. I swear, it’s never usually like this. Our biggest dilemma or conflict before Black came into our lives was the Carter’s. Hell, the only thing we worried about was if we could drink at our local.”
“You didn’t get on with them? And local?” I murmur, letting him pull me into his arms.
“We didn’t, no. And we could never be in the same pub together. Whoever turned up first got to stay, the other had to leave. The only one who didn’t mind, as long as we paid for damages, was Jimmy at The Ginn Inn,” he explains, letting out a breath.