I turned. Evan was in the doorway giving me the full force of his broody glare.
“I thought it could use a little brightening up.”
“It’s in the way.”
“It’s not in the way at all.” I gestured toward the desk. “She’s just taking up one little corner.”
“She?”
“Yes, Edith.”
He rolled his eyes. “Of course it has a fucking name.”
“So? I like naming my plants. Why are you in such a bad mood?”
“I’m not.”
I crossed my arms. “Yeah, you are. You’ve barely spoken to me today and now you’re giving me a hard time about a houseplant.”
“Whatever, it’s fine. Decorate with your damn plants.”
He turned around and stalked out.
This was ridiculous. I followed him into the shop. “Why do you do that?”
He didn’t look back at me. “Do what?”
“Act like a jerk. It’s like you’re doing it on purpose so people won’t like you.”
“Maybe I am.”
“But why? Why are you being so defensive?”
He whirled on me. “Because I want to be left alone.”
I put up my hands. “Fine. Be alone, then.”
Without another word, I walked out.
26
Evan
Fiona walked out, and I let her go.
Fuck.
I felt shitty for being an asshole to her. She didn’t deserve that. She was right, I was a dick to people on purpose. It was a good way to keep everyone out. To make sure people left me alone.
Because that was what I wanted. Wasn’t it?
I’d certainly thought so.
I turned on some music and went back to work on the Pontiac. Busy hands gave me space to think. I’d spent the last couple of days completely off balance. I needed to get my head on straight.
This entire thing was my fault. I’d started it by kissing her. And in the moment, it had felt so damn good—and not just because we’d made each other come a few feet from where I was working. It had felt good to be touched. To have her hands on me, her mouth tangling with mine.
I’d wanted her, and I’d given in.
But I had to face facts. I liked Fiona. A lot. This wasn’t just about wanting her body, although I craved her like a drug. I had feelings for her—feelings I’d sworn I’d never let myself have again. That was the part that was freaking me the fuck out. She wasn’t a one-and-done, a fling I’d try to forget tomorrow.
Asher had said to break it down into something manageable. On the surface, that made sense. But I was an all-or-nothing guy. That was why I’d sworn off women. I’d dated and been in a long-term relationship. That hadn’t worked out. I’d tried casual sex. That hadn’t worked out, either.
So I’d decided I needed to be alone.
All or nothing.
And everything had been fine until Fiona had crashed into my fucking life.
Now I didn’t know what to do. She was unraveling me. Everything was happening so fast. One day I was working out here by myself, and the next I was on the road with this crazy girl.
And now she was staying with me, sleeping in my bed, meeting my family, decorating with her fucking plants, driving me crazy.
I was supposed to be focusing on my business. This car had the potential to take my shop to the next level. I should have been busting my ass, working from dawn until dusk, as if nothing else mattered. The success of this project rested entirely on me. I wasn’t like Luke; I didn’t have a crew. I didn’t have anyone else I could depend on.
Of course, I’d made sure of that.
I knew exactly why I was acting like a fucking lunatic. I was standing at the end of a dock, staring into the water. I had two choices. Jump in, or turn around and walk away.
As of right now, I could still choose the latter. It wouldn’t be easy, and I wasn’t stupid. I knew I’d hurt her if I walked away.
But would we wind up hurting each other more if I took that deep breath and jumped?
I didn’t know.
For good or ill, I wasn’t a guy who could do anything halfway. I’d worked my ass off in college—until I’d quit. Now I put everything into my business. No half measures.
I’d put my all into a relationship once, and it had been a giant fucking failure. Was I willing to risk it again?
Because, for me, a woman could be one of two things. A one-and-done, so I didn’t have to commit anything to her. Or she could be mine. Those were