On the ride over, I was a mental wreck, wondering if I was going to walk in only to get shit-canned, or if Cullen was going to be waiting on the other side of the office door with boxing gloves on. Neither scenario was out of the question, and I was almost hoping for the latter. It wouldn’t be the first time we’d solved a problem with our fists. Hell, it might actually clear the air.
But once I got there and saw Evie’s car wasn’t in the lot, something in my mind snapped and my whole mentality changed.
I was sick to death of tiptoeing around. This was all so fucking stupid. There were people in the world with real problems, stuck in abusive relationships or taking care of a loved one with a serious illness. This wedge keeping Evie and me apart was all our own doing. The three of us had put each other into little boxes our whole lives. Evie was my best friend’s little sister, but it was only sheer stubbornness on Cullen’s part that dictated she couldn’t also be my woman.
Enough pussyfooting. I was going to get through to him today and make it official with Evie, or I was going to die trying.
I shoved my way through the doors, each step spring-loaded.
“First things first,” I muttered under my breath.
I pushed through the office doors and found Cullen staring down at his phone in irritation. Evie was nowhere to be seen.
Cullen’s gaze shot up to meet mine, and he grimaced. “About fucking time you showed up. Thanks for gracing us with your presence.”
I flipped him off and turned my desk chair around, sliding it in front of his desk to straddle it.
“I’m in love with your sister,” I said, zero apology in my voice.
Anger rolled off him in palpable waves now, but I was past caring.
“One night when we were in Paris, she came to my hotel room and tried to seduce me,” I continued. “Once I realized what was happening, because of our friendship, I put her off. For the past month, I’ve continued to put her off because I didn’t want to cause a rift. Not between me and you, or you and Evie. But now, shit’s getting real. I don’t just want to sleep with her. I want to wake up with her, and spend the day with her, and share my life with her.”
Cullen’s face was still stony, but his eyes narrowed a little as he listened intently.
“She’s the only person of the opposite sex besides Pam who gets me. She makes me laugh, and she’s so smart and caring.” I let out a low laugh. “Here I am telling you, but you already know all this. Point is, it took me this long to realize that she’s all that and more. Now, I know I haven’t always been a relationship guy, but I swear that if you give us your blessing, I will never hurt her. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me, Cullen.”
He leaned his palm against the desk and cocked his head. “Have you thought about what happens if it doesn’t work out, Smith? Then what?”
“It’s a risk I’m willing to take if she is. But honestly, man?” I shook my head slowly. “This is it for me. She’s the one. So if she’ll have me, I’m going to devote everything I’ve got to making sure it does work out. So I’m asking this one time. Can we have your blessing?”
Silence stretched for so long, my hopes started to fall, but then he spoke.
“And if I say no?”
This wasn’t a question I wanted to answer, but I was through lying.
“If I have anything to say about it, we’re going to do it anyway. That’s how much I care. But I know it would go a long way to making your sister happy if you said yes.”
Apparently, despite my reservations, that was the right response.
Cullen shot me a bitter half smile. “All I ever wanted was for her to be happy. Maybe I didn’t show it the right way sometimes, but that’s the truth. So, yeah.” He pushed himself to stand and then made his way around his desk. “You have my blessing. But if you hurt her? You’re also going to have my foot so far up your ass, people will think you’re a boot, understood?”
Some of the ice in my stomach started to melt, and I scrubbed a hand over my jaw in relief. Now hardly seemed like the time to remind him I’d whipped his ass last time we’d sparred, boxing at the gym, so I managed to hold it in.
“Yup, got it,” I said with a nod as I stood.
I could tell he was still pissed that I’d hidden it from him, and who could blame him? But as I walked out the door, he called after me.
“Jesus, Smith. Shut the fucking door behind you. What, were you raised by wolves?”
At that, I knew everything would be okay. It might take a little time, but our friendship would survive this.
Now, all I had to do was convince Evie of that.
? ? ?
I made my way to her apartment, hoping like hell she was home since I had no idea why she wasn’t at work today either. Once I got there, I paused for a second outside. Low sobs were muffled by the oak door, making my pulse pound double-time.
I rapped hard once and then pushed it open without waiting for a reply.
“Evie?” I let myself inside and headed for the living room.
She was facedown on the couch, her face buried in her arms, but she startled and sat up when she heard my voice.
“What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”