Forcing in a deep breath, Gray said, “She doesn’t rock. She’s a pain in the ass. She follows me around like . . . I don’t know, it’s like I have an extra appendage.”
Evelyn rolled her eyes, looking to Carolina. “It’s not that bad. For him, anyway. For me, that’s a different matter.”
Carolina grabbed Evelyn’s hand and laughed. “Oh, Evelyn. You have my deepest sympathies. I spent sixteen years living with him. I know what it’s like.”
“Whatever, brat. I gave you rides to school. I made you popular.”
“I think I had the popularity thing sewn up just fine without your help, dickwad.”
“Whatever, Pudge.”
Carolina narrowed her gaze. “Now that was a low blow, Zit Face.”
Evelyn enjoyed the hell out of watching brother and sister argue. Being an only child, she had never had siblings to fight with, so this was unfamiliar to her. But oh so amusing as they hurled insults at each other like they were both kids again. Still, it seemed like good-natured fun, both of them laughing as each of them tried to one-up the other in the zinger department.
She was almost sad to see it end when Gray stood. “I need another beer. And to empty the contents of the one I already had.”
“Way too much information,” Carolina said.
He laughed. “Can I bring you back something to drink?”
“I’d love an iced tea, if you don’t mind,” Evelyn said, her gaze lingering on him.
She tried not to watch him, not to wish they were alone together. She hoped she didn’t give too much away.
“Tea. Got it,” he said, and she couldn’t help but notice the smile he gave her.
“Thanks.”
“I’ll have tea, too,” Carolina said.
After Gray walked away, Carolina asked, “So how did you get roped into working with my brother?”
“Actually, it was my idea. I suggested it to your father.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes. Gray has a potential voter block we could make use of.”
“Oh. Of course. Him being so popular and all. I forget about that. To me he’s just my annoying, pain-in-the-ass brother that I love more than life itself. I don’t think of him as some hotshot race car driver that has millions of fans.”
Evelyn laughed. “No, I imagine you don’t see him that way.”
“So, how’s it going?”
“We’re still in the getting-started phase, but so far, so good.”
“And how long have you two been sleeping together?”
Her stomach knotted. She put on her best blank face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Evelyn. Please. The sparks shooting off between the two of you were like an early fireworks show. I almost had to excuse myself to go inside and cool off.”
She could lie her way out of it, but this was Carolina. She might be Gray’s sister, and she might be the senator’s daughter, but she was also Evelyn’s friend. She trusted Carolina, so she laid her head in her hands. “Oh, God. Is it that obvious?”
“To me it is. But Gray’s my brother. And you’re one of my best friends.”
She lifted her head. “It’s nothing really. A fling.”
“Obviously it’s something. I’ve never seen you like this about a guy.” Carolina wrinkled her nose. “My brother? Really? Are you in love with him?”
“Of course not!” Then, realizing she’d denied that a little too vehemently, she said, “Not that he isn’t totally loveable.”
Carolina laughed. “Please. You don’t need to defend his honor. He can be a real asshole. I just meant, is it serious between you two?”
“No. It wasn’t supposed to happen at all. But now that it has, we’re keeping it . . .
simple.”
“Okay. Well, good luck with that. Things that are supposed to be simple usually end up being anything but.”
“You aren’t going to say anything to your father, are you?”
Carolina grabbed her hand. “Look. I will always be honest with my dad if I think something can harm him. But what’s going on between you and Gray doesn’t have anything to do with him. You’re my friend, and in matters of romance, I’m loyal to you. I know this is your job and you want to protect it, so don’t worry about me saying anything. First and foremost, though, I worry about your heart.”
She squeezed Carolina’s hand. “My heart is fine. I know what I’m doing.”
Carolina let out a short laugh. “I wonder how many women have uttered those words right before getting their hearts broken?”
“Too many, probably. But enough about me. Tell me about your enviable career in fashion design.”
Carolina took a deep breath, then sighed. “It’s been a dream come true. I love what I do and I’m so lucky. And I love New York so much.”
“And the clothing line? How’s that coming along?”
“Slowly. I don’t want to make any missteps. I’m still a baby in this industry, so working for David sustains me right now.”
“But you still want to launch your own line someday.”