Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92547 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92547 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
With Effie now occupied playing games out front with the other kids, I was left standing here like a dumbass while another guy stole Chloe’s attention.
Drew came up behind me. “Looks like she’s pretty popular. If nurses around here actually looked like that, I’d have to sprain something.”
I didn’t take my eyes off her. “That guy in the Thor costume… You know him?”
“Yeah. That’s Brendan Simmons. He’s a physician’s assistant in town, but he also manages the local health clinic.” He nudged me with his elbow. “He’s got his sights set on your girl, huh?”
“She’s not my girl,” I murmured.
“You’re sure as hell looking at her like she is. If I hadn’t interrupted you just now, would you have moved your eyes off her?”
“Probably not. But that’s because I need to look out for her.”
“Tell yourself what you want, Evan.” He sighed. “I don’t remember Chloe looking like that, by the way.”
“You can keep your opinion about her looks to yourself.”
Drew laughed. “Yeah, you’re not into her at all.”
“Want the truth?” I asked as I continued looking over at her.
“Yeah…”
“I’m about a minute away from sending Thor back to Asgard.”
He cackled. “Now that would be the highlight of the party.”
Chloe looked over and winked at me, proving she knew exactly what she was doing.
Chapter 28
* * *
CHLOE
It was fun getting a rise out of Evan. Brendan had asked me if I wanted to go to one of the local bars with him later, and I didn’t give him a straight answer. While he was easy to talk to and clearly into me, I excused myself, stepping away before committing to anything. I pretended to need to go to the bathroom again. The house was crowded enough that it was easy to get lost in the mix, and by the time I came back out, Brendan was nowhere to be found.
It was already getting dark, but they’d set up so many lights that the entire front yard was illuminated. I went outside in search of Evan and eventually found him watching Effie compete in a potato sack race. Just as I was about to take the spot next to him, an attractive woman dressed as Little Red Riding Hood began chatting him up.
A female voice interrupted my staring.
“You must be Chloe.”
I turned around. “Yes.”
“I’m Maura, Drew’s wife.”
I offered a smile. “Oh, it’s great to meet you.” We shook hands. “Effie has told me quite a lot about her aunt Maura.”
“I’m so happy you were able to make it to one of our Halloween parties while you’re in town.”
“I’d heard how legendary they are. Now I can see why.”
Maura looked over toward where Evan was talking to the woman. She leaned in. “Don’t worry. She’s not a threat.”
How the hell had she known what I was thinking? Playing dumb, I responded with, “Excuse me, who?”
“The woman he’s talking to. He’s been there, done that with her, and it didn’t work out.”
It didn’t make me feel all that much better to know Evan had already slept with that one. A rush of heat crept up my face. “Exactly how many women in this town has Evan been there done that with?”
Maura smiled. “Not that many that I know of. A few after his divorce. But trust me, none of them were it for him. Evan has specifically sought out women he knows won’t want much from him, women he also knows Effie won’t bond with. And typically, those women aren’t worth keeping around. That one’s name is Kimber. She’s divorced, too, and not looking for anything serious. He never introduced her to Effie.” She paused. “The last one, Naomi, did a bait and switch. She started out pretending like her career came first, like she didn’t want much, but then she started expecting more.”
This woman was a treasure trove of information.
“Why are you telling me all this?” I laughed nervously.
Maura shook her head. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to overstep. I just noticed you watching him and thought I’d offer my two cents. I’m also a little nosy.” She hesitated. “I know you and Evan have history.”
“All of that is in the past. Like you said, he’s not looking for anything serious with anyone. I actually am looking to settle down, and unfortunately, I don’t live here. So even if I were interested in Evan, it can’t go anywhere.”
Damn. That sounded defensive. I was certain I’d just outed myself as a fraud.
Still, Maura played along. “I understand. I’m sure your job is very important, and I didn’t mean to pry.” She sighed. “I love Evan very much, and I’d love for him to find the one—not for Effie, but for him.”
I looked over to find him still talking to Kimber as he watched Effie. Despite being overcome with jealousy, I continued to put up a front. “He and I have had fun flirting since rediscovering each other, but my entire life is in Chicago now. He knows I’m not here permanently, and he’s being smart about making sure we don’t get too close.”