from the window. “No. I’m fine. Don’t interrupt your day. I’ll be fine. Can I take a shower?”
“Of course,” she said. “I’ll make you some toast. I might have eggs. If not, I can probably find a frozen waffle or something.”
“Don’t worry about me,” I assured her.
I headed for the shower. I was lying about the things I had to do. I didn’t really have shit to do, other than take care of all the shit I’d left behind. I wasn’t looking forward to that.
Deep down, I knew I had to go home. I was going to have to face the memories head on. Part of me wanted her to be there with me when I did. Another part of me didn’t want her to witness my vulnerability and weakness. I couldn’t bring myself to let her all the way in.
Me holding back would ultimately destroy any relationship we forged.
Chapter 60
Evie
I checked the time, mentally noting that everything was right on schedule. I walked to the bar being set up under Nelle’s direction. The woman did not mess around when it came to setting up her workstation. There was a wrong way and there was Nelle’s way. There was no in between. It was why she was so damn good at her job.
“Hey, drill sergeant,” I said.
She turned to me, putting a hand on her hip and giving me that look that said she was going to murder someone. “I’m missing a case of liquor.”
“Uh oh. Is that on my end or your end?”
“Mine. Not mine but mine.”
I nodded with understanding. One of her minions had failed her. “Do I need to do anything?”
“Nope. I’ve got it handled.”
“I knew you would.”
“Walk with me,” she said in a way that made it clear it wasn’t a request.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“I just wanted to make sure you are okay. I didn’t hear from you last night and I got a little worried.”
“Xander showed up at my door.”
Her eyes bulged. “No way!”
“Yep.”
“Oh my god! I’m so happy for you.”
Before I could tell her it wasn’t really all that exciting, the head of the waitstaff waved me over with the typical panicked look in her eye. “I better go put out the fire. Why does this happen every single time?”
She laughed. “Because you are the best and the universe wants to test you.”
“I’ll talk to you later.”
I quickly handled the issue, only to be faced with another one and then another one. No matter how well I planned, these little emergencies always arose. It was the nature of the beast. Servers got sick, food got ordered wrong, or a tablecloth had a stain. My job was to do my best to prepare for every crisis. With my experience, I was used to just about anything. It took a lot more than an ugly coffee stain on a white tablecloth to freak me out. That was why they’d invented bleach pens.
The party got underway and things were moving along smoothly. I made my way over to where Nelle and one of her hired help were serving up drinks at the open bar. “Club soda?” she asked, knowing me well.
“Yes, please.”
There was a lull in the line, giving her a chance to step back. “So you didn’t tell me. What’s going on with you and Xander?”
“I don’t know.”
“He surprised you with a visit. That’s a big deal.”
“Yes and no. He is in town to handle some business. I kind of feel like I was an afterthought.”
“I don’t believe that for a second.”
“It’s so hard to know with him,” I complained.
“Did you guys talk or just bang all night?”
I rolled my eyes. “You can be so crass.”
“So you banged all night.”
“Stop,” I admonished. “We talked a little bit. He asked me to run away with him.”
“No way!”
“Yes.”
“What did you say?”
I gave her a dry look. “What do you think I said?”
“I hope you didn’t tell him no.”
“Technically, I did not tell him no, but I told him it wasn’t up for discussion. I don’t think he is serious. I got the feeling it was off the cuff and he didn’t really think about it. I can’t run away for a week or a month or however long it takes him to get this out of his system and then expect to come back to my life. I’m not him. I can’t run away and have someone hold my place. If I leave, I give up my job, my reputation—everything.”
“You need to convince him to stay,” she advised.
I