He’d changed from his work clothes into a gray T-shirt and jean shorts with surfer flip-flops on his feet. The concern on his face offered a safety net she hadn’t felt in a long time.
“So, how was the shark tank?”
She took the proffered glass of wine and clinked it to his. “Daunting. You were right.”
“Can I get that in writing?”
She chuckled. “Don’t push it, Evan. I’m sorry to tell you they’re camped outside your building now.”
“I expected as much.”
She cleared her throat to ask the question haunting her for the past few hours. “Are you helping us for the ratings?”
The look of absolute disgust on his face had her regretting her words.
“Low blow, Kelly. Why would you ask that?”
She shrugged. “You’re a newsman. I just dealt with some pretty awful reporters, and a reporter with no conscience started this problem. Can you blame me?”
He placed his glass of wine on the counter, his voice lowered to a whisper. “If I asked you to marry me, do you think I would betray you?”
She felt her face scrunch. “Offering marriage could be part of your plan.”
He leaned back as if gauging the authenticity of her suggestion. “You’re kidding, right?”
Her hand jumped to the lump forming in her throat. “You don’t understand how much trusting others in the past has hurt me. Matt and I were doing very well until now.”
“Didn’t you trust Herby?”
She swallowed the lump. “Yes.”
He picked up his glass and toasted her. “Well, now you can add me to your very short list.”
“Please. No insult intended.”
He shook his head. “I’m trying to imagine what it must be like to be in your shoes or I’d be pissed as hell at you.”
She sipped her wine, letting the fragrant bouquet of the dark liquid soothe her senses. “Thank you, Evan. Truly. I appreciate what you are doing for us more than I can express.”
He dropped spaghetti noodles into the boiling water, reminding her of the last time he cooked for them just a short time ago.
“Well, then, why don’t you just kick off those shoes and relax awhile. Let’s enjoy a nice dinner.” He turned to look at her. “Think you can do that?”
She managed a smile. “Aye. Especially if you are cooking.”
He held up a finger as Matt climbed into the seat by the counter. “Your son prepared dinner. I’m just the sous-chef.”
“I can be a cook like Jake when I grow up!”
Kelly laughed and pulled Matt into a bear hug. She inhaled the sweet essence of his young skin, realizing there wouldn’t be too many more years when he’d let her hug him like this. “You can be anything you want, Matthew Sullivan.”
He pulled away. “Can I go to work with Evan tomorrow? Please, Mom?”
Kelly inhaled a fortifying breath. She truly did not want to stay hidden from Neverland and look like Doyle’s accusations were true. She most certainly could not take Matt to school or Neverland until she could explain the situation to him—which God help her, she had no clue how to do. The next best solution was leaving him in Evan’s care for the day. Yet, making her son a celebrity in the face of scandal was unacceptable.
She had an idea.
“What if Matt wears an Urban costume with the mask and doesn’t have to give his name?”
Matt’s eyes lit up. “Cool!”
Evan reached for his cell phone. “That’s a great idea. I’ll call Sarah. Maybe she can pick one up before work.”
* * *
THREE HOURS LATER, Evan watched Kelly emerge onto the balcony, where he sat at the table overlooking the city skyline, the bottle of wine and an empty glass for Kelly waiting on the table. From the fatigue creasing her brow, she’d had a long day.
He stood and pulled the seat next to him away from the table. “Join me for one more glass of wine before bed.”
“Okay, but only one more.”
He grinned. “Don’t worry, Red. I’m not trying to get you drunk.”
She laughed. “After today’s brouhaha, a good snort of Irish whiskey would do the trick.”
He gestured to the bar just within the glass walls. “I’ll be happy to pour.”
“No, no, Evan. The wine is perfect.”
He poured her wine as she settled into her seat. The breeze raised her perfume on the air and he inhaled thinking he could breathe her scent for the rest of his life. It didn’t help that throughout the day, during dinner and even during their heart-to-heart about his overprotective self, that sense of intimacy rose between them that he’d