Meant For Her

  Sierra nodded. She knew Cole would be participating in the All-Star game in Cincinnati that Tuesday. Evan had missed the cut this year, surprising a number of people in the sports world.

  “You and Cole have got to be so excited. Are you hoping for one over the other? And don’t just say you want a healthy baby. I already know that.”

  Smiling as they loaded back up, Everly shook her head. “I really don’t have a preference. Cole is so good with our nephew, Sam. I know he’d love to have a son to do all of the boy stuff with. But I think he’ll melt all over the place if we have a girl. My in-laws would be over the moon, too. I’m happy either way.”

  “Well, I can’t wait to come up with your month-five shoot to incorporate the baby’s gender,” Sierra said as they descended the stairs again. “I’ve got some ideas I want to run by you.”

  They filled the next hour with baby talk, preparing and arranging food on trays, and making sure the downstairs fridge was stocked with beer and mixers for cocktails. Once they were as ready as they were going to be, they sat up in the kitchen at the large center island to pass some time before leaving to meet Zoe and Hannah. Everly poured a glass of wine for Sierra and a glass of cranberry juice for herself. The ballgame played on a small television on the counter.

  “So what’s the scoop with you and Evan?” Everly asked.

  “What do you mean?”

  Everly nudged her with her elbow. “You know what I mean. Have things progressed beyond the ‘Howdy, neighbor’ stage?”

  Grinning, Sierra sipped her wine. “We’ve made progress, yes.”

  “I’m so glad. Cole said he’s noticed a difference in Evan in recent weeks. He’s starting to smile again.”

  “Yes. That’s the best change,” Sierra said, happy to hear it.

  “Do you think things will continue to progress?”

  “I’m going to make sure of it.”

  She enjoyed talking with Everly. She was an intelligent woman with an objective mind. Unlike her other friends, she also knew when to press for more details and when to respect someone’s privacy.

  They switched the topic as they finished their drinks. Thirty minutes later, it was time to go. Everly had offered to drive. She’d picked Sierra up before they went grocery shopping and would swing her back by her apartment after the movie.

  As they stepped out into the garage to get into Everly’s Infiniti, the garage door opened to allow Cole’s Maserati entrance. Sierra paused with her car door open when she saw Evan sitting in the Maserati’s passenger seat. She hadn’t realized that he’d be riding with Cole, though it made sense. He climbed out and his gaze moved to her. She smiled.

  “Hi, Evan,” she said as he walked over to her.

  “Hi, Sierra.”

  Since Everly and Cole were in the middle of their own greeting, she didn’t think twice about leaning up and kissing him. She kept it PG to avoid making him uncomfortable, though.

  He had other ideas. By the time he finished kissing her hello—or was it goodbye?—she could barely remember her own name.

  Oh, yes, she thought as she stumbled into the car. She was most definitely looking forward to making progress with him.

  * * *

  “Thanks for inviting me, Parker,” Larry Uhre said with a lift of his glass of scotch. “I promise not to hold it against you that I’m a last-minute fill-in for Copernicki.”

  “Hey, you’re just an easier mark for the rest of us,” Cole said with a grin.

  Evan focused on the cards he’d just been dealt and the body language of his opponents, considering strategy. Besides Cole and Larry, the other players at the table included Cole’s older brother, Wyatt, Wyatt’s partner, Rowan, their brother-in-law, Mike, Theo Oxley, and Randy Haviland. A steady flow of banter circled around the table, but Evan didn’t contribute much.

  “I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about, Parker,” Theo said. “Dorsey’s gonna send us all home cryin’ like babies.”

  Evan looked up from his hand and saw everyone giving his sizeable stack of chips a stare-down. Shrugging, he returned his focus to his hand.

  “Told you not to invite the Aussie to the table,” Randy grumbled, tossing a couple of chips into the middle. “I’ll call.”

  “He can just buy us the first couple of rounds on the next road trip,” Cole said. Then, after giving Evan’s chips another study, he added, “Make that on every road trip for the rest of the season.”

  “And next,” Theo agreed, tossing in enough chips to see Randy’s bet.

  Larry added his chips to the growing pile and chuckled. “I doubt Dorsey will put up with us again once his contract runs out. Not after being snubbed in the All-Star voting. I’ll raise you.”

  “No work talk,” Wyatt reminded them, giving Evan a knowing look.

  Evan nodded in appreciation of Wyatt’s intervention. The last thing he wanted was to be the center of any conversation.

  “I’ll see you, Uhre,” Rowan said with a toss of his chips.

  They completed the first round of betting. Evan passed along two of his cards to Cole, who had dealt the round. After he was dealt the next two cards, he went back to strategizing.

  “Not much else to talk about outside of work,” Larry pointed out. “Unless anyone has any stories about banging some hot chicks they want to share.”

  “Fresh out,” Wyatt said dryly, earning a snort of laughter from Cole.

  Larry flushed as he looked between Wyatt and Rowan. “Hey…sorry, man. No offense intended.”

  “None taken,” Rowan said.

  Evan saw the hint of fire in the New York Italian’s eye, though. It wasn’t the first time Larry had said something like that. The scotch was loosening his tongue and impairing his judgment.

  “I’ll raise,” Evan said, moving some of his stack of chips into the middle of the table.

  Mike took a look at the size of the bet and whistled. “I’ve learned my lesson. I fold.”

  “Dorsey thinks he’s going to take it again,” Larry said. “This round might hurt.”

  Play continued until it was just Evan and Larry. The pot had grown considerably. Evan saw the light coat of sweat on the other man’s upper lip.

  “Moment of truth,” Cole said.

  Larry revealed his cards. “A straight. Maybe that’ll make a dent in your winnings, Dorsey.”

  “Don’t bet on it,” Evan said as he revealed his cards.

  Theo hooted with laughter. “Damn. Full house.”

  Evan collected the chips, listening to the swell of conversation as some of the guys got up to refill their drinks or grab some food. Deciding he could use another beer, he headed to the bar. Rowan was in the fridge as he walked up.

  “Glad you kicked his ass,” Rowan said under his breath as he handed Evan a beer. “I swear I might hit on the guy by the end of the night just to see him squirm.”

  Evan’s lips twitched. “And here I thought you’d be a sucker for my accent. I’m heartbroken.”

  “You’re all right, Dorsey.” Rowan lifted his bottle and Evan clinked his to it. “And the accent ain’t all that hard to listen to, if you want to know the truth.”

  “Glad I’m not losing my touch.”

  When they got back to the table, Cole still hadn’t returned. Evan glanced around and didn’t see him.

  “Where’d Parker go?”

  “He’s talkin’ with his wife,” Theo said, rolling his eyes. “Guys’ night, my ass.”

  Wyatt smiled as he shuffled the cards. “Cole’s neurotic now that Everly’s pregnant. I wouldn’t doubt that she organized this just to try and take his mind off of her.”

  “Yet he’s on the phone with her instead of in here with us,” Randy observed.

  Evan had noticed that Cole was fairly obsessive about his wife’s condition. He supposed that was what came of loving someone as much as they seemed to love each other. It was a level of emotion that he didn’t ever intend to experience.

  “Isn’t tomorrow the big ultras
ound?” Mike asked. “I think I remember Avery mentioning it.”

  “Yep,” Wyatt confirmed. “Mom and Dad will have their cell phones glued to their hands all day waiting for the news.”

  Larry downed the rest of his scotch. “Are your folks still in the old Marietta neighborhood, Wyatt?”

  “Actually, they just moved closer to Cole and Everly. Sold the Marietta property to my mother’s sister, though, so it’s still in the family.”

  “Yeah, we kept the house in the family, too,” Larry said as he got up to refill his glass. “Got a cousin living there now. Hey, it’s too bad you sold your old place, Dorsey. You wouldn’t have had to rent something for just the end of this season.”

  The room got quiet. Evan heard his pulse in his ears as Larry’s comment prompted him to remember why he’d sold the house…the only home he’d ever lived in for more than a span of months. Although his gaze was trained on the pile of chips in front of him, he was aware of the looks exchanged by the other guys at the table. The only sound was of Larry filling his glass with ice.

  Rowan put a reassuring hand on Evan’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. I got this.”

  They all watched as Rowan got up and approached the bar, where Larry’s back was to them. He got really close to Larry, who jumped like he’d been hit by electricity, and grabbed the bottle of scotch before Larry could.

  “Please let me get that for you,” Rowan said with a smile, his eyes moving up and down Larry’s body like it was a delectable dessert. “I’ve been wantin’ to get you a drink all night.”

  When Larry looked back at the table for help, he found everyone suddenly focused on a conversation about the upcoming NFL season. Rowan put an arm around his shoulders.

  “I’m really lookin’ forward to playin’ with you over the next few hours, Larry. I really am.”

  Evan looked at Wyatt, who winked and started dealing the cards. Evan nodded once. Rowan would play with Larry, all right…and so would he. The guy wouldn’t have a dime left by the time he finished with him.

  Chapter 32

  Closing the trunk of her Sunfire the next morning, Sierra did a mental run-through of her checklist. She’d gotten a call from Everly about ten minutes ago letting her know that Cole was on the way with Evan. Since Cole had to get back home to take Everly to the ultrasound appointment, Sierra knew he wouldn’t be sticking around.

  Heading back inside, she stopped by the front desk. “How’s it going, Oliver?”

  “Hi there, Ms. Sierra. So far, it’s been quiet for a Monday.”

  “Don’t worry. It’s only nine-thirty. I’m sure some type of emergency will crop up,” she said with a smile. “Are you all set with the mail situation?”

  “Absolutely. We’ll set it aside for you and Mr. Dorsey.”

  “Thanks, Oliver. You’re the best.”

  Giving him a wave, she headed to the elevator. Evan would be there any moment. Once she got back upstairs, she double-checked her camera bag and did one last look around the apartment. She was good to go.

  Three minutes later, the elevator dinged. Smiling, she headed to her door. She opened it and glanced both ways down the hall, spotting Evan’s back as he approached his apartment.

  “Welcome home, Evan,” she said as he opened his door.

  “Thanks,” he replied without looking at her.

  The door closed behind him. Her smiled faded. Something wasn’t right.

  A minute later, he walked back out. His expression reinforced her suspicion. Something had happened while he was at Cole’s, she realized. Something that had sent him spiraling back to the dark place she had hoped he would avoid.

  “Where are my dogs?” he asked.

  “They’re fine. I—”

  “I’m not up for any games today, Sierra. Where are my damn dogs?”

  Swallowing her surprise over the anger in his tone, she considered her approach. She sensed that the control he had over his emotions was more fragile than even he knew right then.

  Walking over to him, she held his gaze. “Do you trust me?”

  He opened his mouth to reply.

  “Before you respond,” she hurried on, “consider the fact that I don’t deserve to be a verbal punching bag because of pain caused by someone else.”

  His mouth snapped closed. She watched his jaw work as he fought for his control. Eventually, he gave her a brief nod.

  “Thank you. Please come with me for a minute.”

  She took his hand and walked with him back into his apartment. The fact that he didn’t resist gave her hope that she could get through to him. They continued into his bedroom, stopping at the foot of the bed. Just as she’d hoped, his eyes went to the photograph she’d hung a few days before.

  “Evan, do you remember what I told you when we first met?”

  He didn’t respond, but she saw the subtle softening of his expression. Her hold on his hand tightened.

  “This image made me think of you because of the hope it represents. Seeing you right now, I can sense that you’re letting the darkness take hold of you again. I’m giving you the option of coming with me right now…and choosing the light instead.”

  They stood in silence for several minutes. She released his hand and slid an arm around his waist, pressing herself against his side. He reached up and put a hand on her shoulder.

  “Where are we going?” he asked at last.

  “You’ll find out when we get there.”

  Another pause. “Do I need to pack a bag?”

  “No.”

  “Okay.”

  Smiling, she pulled away from him. “Thank you, Evan. We’ll be in the car for a while, so make a pit stop if you need to. I’ve got to grab my bag and then I’ll meet you at the elevator.”

  Stretching up, she gave him a quick kiss before hurrying out the door. She didn’t want to give him time to change his mind. When she’d first planned this time with him, she’d had no idea how important it would be. It appeared that fate had intervened at the best possible time, keeping Evan here rather than in Cincinnati. He needed this.

  He needed her.

  They met at the elevator two minutes later. She took his hand and they rode down to the lobby together. Oliver gave them a wave as they passed through and headed out to the parking lot. Sierra unlocked her car as they approached and climbed in behind the wheel. Evan sat down and nearly ended up crushing his knees on the dashboard.

  “Oops. Sorry,” she said, reaching down to help him move the seat back. “Hannah was the last person to ride up front.”

  Only when she lifted her hand from the seat lever did she think of the fact that it was between his legs. He watched her hand as she slowly sat back up, sliding it along the inside of his thigh. His pupils dilated and he stopped breathing.

  “Where did you say we were going?” he asked in a tight voice.

  “On a road trip,” she said, pulling her hand off his thigh and turning the key in the ignition.

  “Isn’t it supposed to rain all afternoon and into tomorrow?”

  “Not where we’re going. Besides, I don’t plan on us spending much time outside.”

  He looked at her, but didn’t speak again as they headed out of the parking lot. She turned on the radio to fill the silence, traveling on surface streets until they reached the interstate. From there, she knew they had a solid four hours of drive time ahead of them.

  “If you get hungry or thirsty, there are snacks and bottles of water in the cooler behind my seat,” she said.

  He turned and saw the cooler she mentioned. Again, his gaze moved to her, but he didn’t say anything.

  They travelled without speaking for the next hour, the car filled with music from the local Top 40 station. Occasionally, she sang along if she knew the song well enough. So far, the rain had held off and it had turned into a beautiful summer day. She hoped Evan could see that, too. His gaze was intent on the scenery outside his window.

  Two hours into the trip, his cell phone rang. He picked it up. r />
  “Hey, Parker. Spill it. No shit? Congratulations, mate. Yeah, she’s right next to me. I’ll let her know. Good luck at the game tomorrow.”

  Sierra gripped the steering wheel in excitement. She glanced over and caught Evan’s gaze, a wide smile on her face.

  “What are they having?” she asked once he hung up.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Evan…”

  “Do you want to know what they’re having or not?”

  Sighing, she said, “Savannah. Tybee Island, to be exact.”

  “It’s a girl.”

  “Oh, yay!”

  She bounced in her seat, having visions of the many things she could do for the upcoming pregnancy shoots with Everly and Cole. She’d have to go shopping when she got home and find the most frivolous, impractical, fluffy pink thing she could find to give the happy couple. Maybe they’d like some themed photos for the baby’s nursery.

  Her mind raced with ideas. At some point, Evan reached behind her and pulled out a bottle of water and package of cookies. He offered her some of each, which she accepted.

  When they were about twenty minutes from Savannah, he finally spoke.

  “I’m sorry I ruined your surprise.”

  “Were you surprised?” she asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “Then you didn’t ruin it.”

  She felt his gaze on her as she took the exit they needed. She knew he had more to say. She was even pretty sure she knew what he had to say. But she was still impressed when he actually said it.

  “It’s just…when I feel like this, it’s much easier to bring others down with me than it is to accept the hand that offers to pull me up.”

  It took her a moment to center herself as she realized how much progress he’d made over the past few weeks. Reaching over, she captured the hand resting on his thigh and wove her fingers through his.

  “Then you should acknowledge how much strength you show when you accept that hand.”

  He looked at their joined hands before moving his gaze back to the view outside of his window. “You sound like her sometimes,” he said.

  “Like who?” she prompted gently.