Picking the photograph up, I study it for a little longer than I should. I don’t have any images of our wedding day. That’s not to say I didn’t look at the album of photographs that were supplied, because I did, and they were all beautiful. I would have loved to have had one enlarged and framed for our wall in the bedroom. The problem is, it wasn’t the best day of my life. And honestly, I wanted nothing more to do with it after what happened.
“You were angry at me in that shot.”
I startle, almost dropping the picture frame to the floor at the sound of his deep voice.
His eyes quickly roam over me before he walks in farther, shutting the door behind him.
“I was,” I say, smiling. “You wanted me to stay away from Alec, and just before this you told me I couldn’t work at my café anymore.” I place the photo back and turn to face him fully.
Mistake. Complete and utter mistake. I should have kept looking at the picture because his beauty hits me hard. The way his cheekbones sit high and his curls are all pulled back away from his face.
Gunner Reid was crafted for a woman who’s not me. He was crafted by the gods. But he’s a fallen angel, perhaps even Lucifer himself.
“Well, you got your way…” he pauses. “Now why are you here, Everly?” He walks around and when he does, I can smell him, and that scent makes me want to wrap my arms around his body and get drunk on him all over again.
It’s what any normal woman would do. Right? No, wrong!
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask him while holding up the forms.
Gunner looks to them then back to me, his dark eyes solely focused on me. If I didn’t know better, I would start squirming on the spot with the way he’s staring at me. But I know his stares and his tells, and I know better than anything it’s him holding back on me.
“You wanted me to leave you alone, Everly. I’ve given you your wish.”
I sigh, moving to sit in front of his desk in the chair provided, crossing my legs. When I look back up at him, he’s glued to me with those dark eyes, assessing my every move.
“How have you been?” I ask, genuinely wanting to know the answer.
“I don’t do small talk, Everly. And soon there will be no talk at all with you. Once you hand me those papers granting your wish.” I clutch them in my hands and look down, not sure now if I want to surrender them to him.
“I kissed another man…” I let it fall from my lips before I think about what I’m saying. When I look up, his eyes are even darker, almost black. Obviously, with that statement, I’ve managed to make him angry. I didn’t mean to do that, though. The words came out, even though I didn’t want them to. I feel like I’m confessing some sort of appalling sin, and now I seek absolution from him, so I continue, “Problem was… he wasn’t you.”
I stand, dropping the papers on his desk. The ring is still firmly gripped in my hand, I just can’t part with it. Heading out the door, I pass the woman at reception and she offers me a small wave.
“Looking forward to seeing you again, Mrs. Reid.”
I don’t comment.
There’s no use.
She doesn’t need to know that this will be the last time I see Gunner Reid.
And my heart? I’m pretty sure I just left it there with those papers. Well, what’s left of it anyway.
11
Everly
I don’t even know how I made it home. My cell starts ringing the minute I sit. Looking at it to check, I don’t recognize the number, so I let it go to voicemail, not wanting to talk to anyone right now.
It dings a minute later telling me I have a message, so I press play.
Buck says, “So, hey, Ev. This is random…” He laughs and it’s cute. “I wanted to see if you’d like to come to the market with me tomorrow? Not a date… unless you want it to be. More to hang out.” He goes silent. “Well, this is my number, so message if you’re keen.” Silence fills the phone and I think he’s hung up and the message is finished but then he says, “Oh, and this is Buck, in case you didn’t know.” He hangs up and I sit back looking at my ring finger, contemplating my next move. Picking up my phone I message him.
* * *
I would love to. What time?
* * *
He replies straight away.
* * *
Around lunch? Would you like to meet me there or I could pick you up?
* * *
I live not far from the market. I’ll meet you there.