A Girl Like Her - Talia Hibbert Page 0,2

sister anything… “I’m on deadline, Han.”

“You make your own deadlines.”

“And I’m a bitch of a boss.” Ruth arranged her pyjamas, then headed out into the hall, grabbing a jacket. “I have to go.”

“Ruth—”

“Period emergency.”

That was enough to distract even Hannah. “Oh, God. Are you alright? Do you want me to bring you some ice cream?”

“I have plenty of ice cream. Bye, Han. Love you.” Ruth put the phone down before her sister had a chance to say those last words back.

She didn’t really feel worthy of hearing them.

“You shouldn’t do that, you know.”

Evan Miller stifled a sigh.

He didn’t need to look over his shoulder to know who those words had come from. After five days at Burne & Co., he was more familiar with those cultured, charming tones than he’d like.

So Evan continued to focus on the length of iron before him, holding it up to the light, making sure that he’d drawn it out just far enough. His muscles ached and sweat trailed down his brow as the forge cooled. He was almost ready to leave, but now he wanted to find some reason to stay. Just ten more minutes, or maybe twenty. As long as it took for his visitor to get the hint.

Evan had been waiting all week for Daniel Burne to lose interest in him, and so far it didn’t seem to be working. Maybe Evan was the problem. Maybe, by not rushing to befriend the boss’s kid, he’d made himself stand out too much.

Daniel Burne was rich, handsome, good at his job despite the possible nepotism, and king of this small town. He probably didn’t understand why Evan rebuffed his friendship. That was the problem with popular people; they needed, more than anything, to be noticed.

So it came as no surprise when, instead of going away, Daniel moved further into the workshop. He wandered within Evan’s line of sight and leant against the wall, folding his arms.

This time, Evan didn’t stifle his sigh. He released it loudly, a drawn-out gust that spoke a thousand words. But his mother had raised him to be a gentleman, so that sigh was the only hint of annoyance that he allowed to escape.

“What’s up?” Evan asked, lowering the iron finial.

Daniel’s auburn hair gleamed bright in the light of the dying fire. He tossed his head toward the line of cooling finials at the edge of Daniel’s workshop. Eventually, they’d form a gate for the Markham family.

“You shouldn’t be doing Zach’s work for him,” Daniel drawled. “If he wants to slack, let him face the consequences.”

There were lots of things that Evan could’ve said to that. Like, “You do know that Zach’s mother has cancer, right?” Or, “Since I’ve known him 5 days and you’ve known him since childhood, you should be more eager to help than me.” Or maybe, “Do you have any fucking conscience whatsoever?”

Instead Evan said, “I’m done now, anyway.”

Avoiding conflict was his mode of operation. They’d taught him that at basic training, once they’d figured out his hair-trigger temper. Always avoid conflict.

It worked, partly. Daniel nodded, and didn’t say another word about Zach or the gate. But he did hover as Evan put away his equipment and checked the forge’s temperature. And when Evan headed for the exit, Daniel was right on his heels.

“You walking?” Daniel asked, his long strides matching Evan’s easily.

“Yep,” Evan replied.

“It’s been a long week. Let me drive you home.”

“That’s okay,” Evan smiled. “I like to walk.” It was true; he needed physical activity like he needed air. Plus, he had to be gentle with Daniel. It wouldn’t do to alienate the boss’s kid, even if that kid happened to be a grown man.

“Oh, come on.” Daniel grinned back, a wide, white-toothed smile. Evan hadn’t seen much of Ravenswood yet, but he’d seen enough to know that the small town’s inhabitants adored Daniel Burne. And if he hadn’t, the easy expectation in Daniel’s green eyes would’ve made it clear. This man had never been told ‘no’, and never thought he would be.

Those were the men you had to watch.

“Alright,” Evan relented as they broke out into the cool, evening air. It was just after five, so Ravenswood’s streets were busy. Which meant that there was an old woman heading into the town centre on foot, and two Volvos making their way there via road.

“Great!” Daniel clapped Evan on the back, a firm slap that spoke of a camaraderie they had not forged. It was funny; in the army, that sort of immediate