“Just relax.” Piper started the engine. “I’m about to make you a very happy man.”
“How many times must I make myself clear,” Dylan teased. “Eve or no one.”
“Dylan?”
Knowing what was coming, Dylan played along.
“Yes, Levi?”
“Shut the fuck up.”
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CHAPTER NINETEEN
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DYLAN WALKED INTO the bar, unsure why he was there. JUMP!!! was the kind of trendy establishment frequented by college students from the nearby University of Washington.
“If you wanted to buy me a drink, we could have stayed put.” Dylan looked around at all the fresh eager faces and winced. “Were we ever that young?”
“Stop acting like you’re ready for the old folk’s home.” Piper patted Dylan’s shoulder. “We’ll find a table. Go order me a glass of white wine from the waitress. Levi will have a beer. You, water—straight up.”
“Yes, Mom.”
Scooting away, Dylan barely avoided the toe of Piper’s shoe. He looked around until his gaze found a young woman serving drinks to a table of men. Closer to boys, by the looks of their peach fuzz covered faces. He wasn’t there to judge. He assumed they were over twenty-one. But again, not his business.
“Excuse me, miss.” Dylan topped the waitress on the arm. “See the table by the door. I’d like to have some drinks delivered.”
“Not my station,” she said without turning around. “I’ll send someone over right away.”
“Wait.” Dylan grabbed her arm when she would have scurried away. “Eve? What the hell?”
“Well, poo.” Eve heaved a sigh.
“That old man bothering you, honey,” one of the college boys called out.
“Honey?” Dylan bristled. “Old man?”
“Calm down,” Eve said when Dylan took a step toward the table. “The kid is a little drunk. Besides, he’s half your size.”
Not an excuse in Dylan’s book, but he let it slide.
“I won’t ask where your date is,” Dylan growled. “I don’t need a brick house to fall on me to let me know that you don’t have one.”
“Careful,” Eve sniped. “Your college education is showing.”
“Watch the attitude,” Dylan said. “I have the moral high ground here.”
“Moral high ground my sweet fanny.” Eve tried to pull away. “I have work to do.”
“Quit. Now.” Dylan tugged at her apron strings. “We’ll talk at home.”
“I have an hour left on my shift.” Eve slapped his hand. “You can sit and wait. Or leave. Take your pick.”
Dylan waited. And fumed.
“You knew Eve worked here.” Looking at Piper, Dylan shook his head. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“Eve asked Erin if she knew of any job openings for a waitress,” Piper explained with a shrug. “Erin talked to Riley. Riley mentioned the situation to me. Did I mention your name anywhere in there?”
“No,” Dylan muttered.
“You have your answer.” Piper smiled. “I thought you might do something reckless. I worried you might drink then sleep with what’s her name. That’s why we’re here.”
“Sasha,” Dylan said, unsure why when Piper speared him with a frighteningly evil gaze.
“Bitch hit on my husband.” She was not happy.
“Sorry.” Dylan felt he needed to apologize. “Instead of a date night, you spent the evening babysitting me.”
“You’re a friend. End of story.” Levi held his wife’s hand. “Do you want us to stay and keep you company?”
“Go.” Dylan smiled. “Thank you, Piper.”
“I betrayed Eve’s confidence for you,” Piper said. “So, don’t screw it up.”
At the end of her shift, Eve walked to where Dylan waited. She looked at him for a moment before she turned and exited the bar. He followed close at her heels.
Neither spoke on the ride home. Inside the house, Eve hung up her coat.
“Before we talk, I need to wash off the smell of booze.”
“I’ll meet you in the living room,” Dylan said.
Rather than pace the floor, Dylan followed Eve’s lead and took a quick shower. Slipping on a pair of sweats and a long-sleeved t-shirt, he padded to the kitchen and turned on the electric kettle.
“Want a cup of tea?” he asked when Eve joined him a few minutes later.
“Sounds good.” She ran a hand through her damp hair. “I quit. Not because you told me to. I turned in my notice before the start of my shift.”
“Why did you take the job in the first place?” Dylan asked. He moved to the living room and put their tea on a long, glass table. They sat on the sofa. “You have money. A place to live. Food. Clothes.”
“All provided by you.” Eve took a sip from her cup. “Don’t misunderstand. I’m grateful for what I have here with you and Daisy.”
“Grateful?” Dylan didn’t like the word. “Can’t you just feel at home?”
“That’s the problem,” Eve said. “If I get too comfortable, I won’t want to leave.”
“Then don’t.” Dylan reached for Eve, stopped, and cursed under his breath. “Fucking promise.”
Eve held out her hand. She threaded her fingers through his, tightening her grip.
“Most of my life, I worked hard. I don’t regret anything. I don’t feel like a victim because my mother threw me out.” Eve sighed. “I think you ruined me.”
Dylan was so happy to have Eve’s hand in his, he almost forgot the reason for their conversation. Running his thumb along the side of hers, he forced himself to concentrate.
“Ruined? You?” Dylan scoffed. “What did I do?”
“After a few weeks of living with you and Daisy, I hated serving drinks. Dodging grabby handed jerks.” Suddenly tired, Eve rested her head against the back of the sofa. “Walking around in a soaked top because a bunch of men thought it would be cute to produce a wet t-shirt contest by themselves.”
“Give me names,” Dylan said, his temper rising.
“I wouldn’t if I could.” Eve shook her head. “I handled the jerk the way I always do. But the thought of going back next weekend made me sad. And exhausted.”
“Will you be angry if I admit something?” Dylan asked.
“Maybe,” Eve said.
Dylan rested his head next to Eve’s. He kept a firm grip on her hand.
“I’m glad I ruined you.”
“Okay.” Eve laughed. “I
