“It’s not a problem. Evie’s more than capable of being alone with my sleeping children for a half hour so I can drive you home.”
“I don’t mind one bit,” she said with a firm nod of her head. “But before you go, I wanted to tell you both something. Well, Nate wanted to be here too, but that didn’t work out.” She took a breath and smiled widely. “We’ve picked a wedding date.”
“Really?” I exclaimed. “When?”
“We want to have a Christmas wedding, in Hawaii.”
“Oh my goodness! That’s going to be beautiful!”
“That sounds amazing, Evie. I’m so happy for you,” Devon said, gently putting me down and standing to hug her.
“Thank you,” she said, hugging him back. “We want the kids to be in the wedding. Ring bearer and flower girl. Or maybe Ruby can be in the bridal party? I don’t want to make her feel like a child.”
“I think Ruby would love to be a part of your wedding in any way,” Devon said.
“So, you’ll come? Both of you?” Evie asked, her eyes darting between us.
“We wouldn’t miss it for anything,” Devon replied, hugging her again. When he pulled back, I moved to hug her too. There was so much happiness between all three of us, it almost felt like electricity in the air.
“Congratulations,” I said as we hugged, meaning it with everything in me. Evie wasn’t a threat to my relationship with Devon; I’d learned that. And if we’d met outside of those circumstances, I would have become fast friends with her.
“Thank you,” she said as she pulled away.
“What kind of dress are you going to wear?”
“That’s my cue to go get another beer,” Devon said, laughing as he went into the house. Evie and I sat on the porch for another hour, looking at dresses and talking about venues, and there wasn’t an ounce of awkwardness. Just the excitement of a new friendship.
Chapter Twenty-One
Devon
If I’d had any questions about Evie and Grace, they’d been put to rest. Nothing bonded women like wedding talk. The two women hugged at the door and said their good-byes before I walked Grace to my car and reluctantly drove her home for the evening.
Halfway to her house, her hand holding mine and resting in my lap, I turned to look at her.
“You know, you don’t have to stay at your house just because Evie’s in town for the night.”
She shrugged. “It’s okay. I don’t mind. I didn’t want to be in the way or anything. Plus, one houseguest is enough.”
“You’re not a houseguest, Grace. You’re my girlfriend.” Even in the darkness of the car, I could tell she was blushing.
“It’s better this way,” she said, giving my hand a squeeze. “The kids will get some great time with Evie.”
“It’s not you or her, Grace. They can get great time with Evie when you’re there too. I know you’re doing this because it feels right to you, but I just want you to understand that I don’t want you to go anywhere. For any reason. I don’t want you to feel like you’re not welcome. I want you there. I want you with me.”
“I love that you feel that way. And maybe next time I’ll feel comfortable, but tonight it feels right to go to my own home. Evie’s on your couch and it would feel awkward to sleep in your bed with someone down the hall.”
I could understand her point, but it didn’t make me feel any better about the situation. I’d gotten used to her in my bed and I wasn’t looking forward to a night without her.
“The entire time the kids are gone, you’re at my house. When you pack your bags in the morning, pack so you don’t have to come back for anything. All right?”
“Bossy,” she said with a smirk on her face.
“Damn straight,” I said, bringing the back of her hand up for a kiss. “I’ll come pick you up right after I drop Evie and the kids off at the airport tomorrow afternoon, and I’m not taking you home. I want you in my bed every night.”
“Okay,” she whispered, but I could tell she was smiling.
I pulled into her apartment complex, walked her to the door, and kissed her silly before she slipped into her home. I wanted nothing more than to follow her in and take her to bed, but I knew I had to bide my time. I stayed outside her door until I heard the dead bolt click, then made my way back to my car.
The kids were excited to fly to California, but I was still glad Evie was there to accompany them. Instead of a nervous good-bye, the kids were happy and practically vibrating with anticipation. The flight would be long, but they were armed with snacks, tablets, and books. I hugged and kissed both of them, told them to have the best time but to also be on their best behavior, and then I pulled Evie into a hug.
“Don’t take any crap from them,” I said with a laugh. “And make sure you tell Nate I said hello.”
“I will,” she said with a smile. “Don’t worry about a thing. They’re in good hands and we’re going to have the best time.”
“Disney World for spring break and Disneyland on summer vacation? I bet no one at school had a summer that cool,” Jaxy said, smiling from ear to ear.