Evangeline’s face heats. “Mom, Dad, this is Hunter Sloan. He…uh…we’re…neighbors. Hunter, these are my parents, Leah and Lawson Ambrose. They drove all the way from Holland Springs to surprise me instead of waiting for Thanksgiving.”
“I’d say you’re more than neighbors if he has a key and calls you angel. Although, I’d have to question how well he knows you,” Leah says with a wink. It’s clear to me where Evangeline gets her sassiness.
Although Lawson nods at me, he doesn’t say a word, but he’s studying me pretty intently.
“He has a key because I watch his dog, Jake.”
What happened to calling Jake our dog, I want to ask, but I won’t embarrass her in front of her parents. If she doesn’t want to claim me or Jake, then I have no choice but to go along with it. Honestly, her parents might not be happy about me, since Evangeline is still technically married.
“Eva, the train’s long since left the station.” Lawson stands, crossing the room to stand in front of me and shake my hand. “Nice to meet the man who’s making her smile.” He’s tall with a lanky build and a vice grip. Her dad doesn’t strike me as the type of guy to “squeeze the hell out of my hand” to prove a point, either.
“Nice to meet you, too, ma’am. I love your daughter and respect her a great deal. Hope to see more of y’all in the future.”
Evangeline’s eyes round and her cheeks flame scarlet. “Hunter, you didn’t have to say that.”
“Yes, he did,” her mother counters, moving to stand beside her husband. “Will you be joining us tomorrow for breakfast?”
So much for my plans to stay here and show Evangeline just how much I missed her. “I’d be honored.”
“Well, good night, then,” Lawson says.
And that’s my cue to leave. “Jake staying here or coming home with me?”
“He’s already in bed.”
I lean in a little and kiss Evangeline on the cheek. “Lucky dog,” I whisper, before raising my voice. “Walk with me to my apartment?”
She nods and follows me out into the hallway. “You don’t have to come to breakfast,” Evangeline says, biting on a nail. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her this nervous before, or this type of nervous before.
“I want to.” I smile at her. “Your family is important to you, which means they’re important to me.”
She stops nibbling on her nail. “You keep saying all the right things.”
“I’m not trying to hoodwink you.” I take her hand in mine and bring it to my mouth, kissing her soft skin. “My mother has a saying, a caballo regalado, no se le ven los dientes. Basically, it means don’t look for the worst.”
“It’s hard not to.”
“I know, angel. Believe me, I know. I’m not trying to manipulate you into doing anything you don’t want to, so if the thought of me going to breakfast makes you uncomfortable, then I won’t go. I’ll say that I had to work. Go to the gym…whatever.” Even as I say I’m willing to lie for her, I can’t help but think of the huge lies I’m keeping from her right now that I have to tell her.
She takes a deep breath. “I want you to come to breakfast with us.”
“Then I’ll be there.” I let go of her hand. “How long are your parents staying?”
“Until Sunday morning.”
I nod. “Does that mean you’re available Sunday night?”
“Depends on the invitation?”
“The Laboratory.”
“What’s that?”
“Place in Charlotte where mixed martial arts fights take place.”
“That sounds”—her nose scrunches—“romantic.”
I stare at her intently. “But not too violent for you?”
She shrugs, but I know her too well. That is the shrug of a woman who is afraid that something might happen. “I’ve never been to a fight before so I don’t know.”
“Would you be willing to go with me and keep an open mind?”
“Sure, I guess.” She gives me an odd look. “Why is this so important to you? Is it because of Pe—AE?”
“He has fuck-all to do with our relationship.” My words come out harsher than I intend.
“He fought in the Army—not mixed martial arts, but—”
Before she can elaborate any further, her mother comes to the door. “Eva, sugar, where’s the coffee?”
“It’s in the—never mind. I’ll be right there.” She touches my badge. “I like it when you show up wearing this. Makes me feel safe.”
“That’s exactly what these blues should do for you.”
“I think it’s the man who wears them.” She gives me a swift kiss on the lips, then darts inside her apartment, leaving me rooted to the spot.
—
The rest of the weekend seems to rush by. I’m almost one hundred percent sure it’s because I have it off, otherwise it would crawl at a snail’s pace.
I try to stay out of Evangeline and her family’s way, but they keep inviting me over to spend time with them. I suspect that Lawson is behind this, as any dad should be. Hell, if I know anything, it’s what a father shouldn’t do for or to his kids.
Her parents wave to us one last time from a light-blue sedan before they finally leave.
“I think I’m going to miss them more than I did before.” Evangeline sniffs and I wrap my arm around her, pulling her into me so I can kiss her on the forehead.
“That’s understandable, but you get to see them next month.”
“You get to see them, too.”