evie

“Get ready, Evie!” I hear from the doorway, glancing up to see a wide smile and a thumb’s up. “Thirty minutes.”

“Okay,” I manage, taking a step toward the mirror and releasing a deep breath as I give myself a final once over.

“Thanks, Jodie,” Dash sings, making me roll my eyes as I find his wide smile in the reflection behind me.

“You’re an idiot,” I shake my head, unable to fight the gentle smirk on my lips as he holds my eyes, mimicking the opening riffs of ‘I Kissed A Girl’ by Katy Perry. “I hate you.”

“Don’t be embarrassed, baby,” he grins, taking in my scarlet cheeks before shooting me a wink. “Your boyfriend don’t mind it.”

“You’re so stupid,” I laugh, making him smile wider before I make a face, glancing into my bag. “That burger you got me made my breath funky.”

“I wasn’t gonna say anything, but…”

“Jerk,” I chuckle. “Do you have any gum?”

“Yeah,” he nods, making me turn to face him in time to see him pulling the piece he’s chewing. “Here.”

“Eww.”

“Baby, that’s all I’ve got.”

“Then just say no,” I look at him crazy. “I guess you’re kinda sweet for offering, but I don’t want your used gum.”

“So, you’ll put my dick in your mouth, but you won’t chew-?”

“Oh, my God...” Mason’s groan from the doorway cuts his words short, pulling our eyes to his. “I’m gonna kill myself.”

“Hey! Look who made it!” Dash grins, his voice contorting into a deep belly laugh when he sees the combined humiliation on mine and Mason’s face. “Your timing lately has been awesome.”

“Yeah, tell me about it,” he deadpans, clearing the distance between us to kiss my cheek. “How you doin’, sis? You ready?”

“Yeah,” I nod, releasing another long breath and smiling at my mom as she steps inside, silently thanking who or whatever kept her outside ten seconds longer than my brother, whose face is still recovering. “Hey.”

“Hi, honey,” she smiles, giving me a quick onceover, admiring my hair and makeup. “Oh, you look beautiful! Are you nervous?”

“Thank you and yes,” I nod. “Better than before. I’ve only puked twice today.”

“Well, good for you,” she smirks. “Calm down. You’re going to do amazing, just like always.”

“Thanks,” I smile. “Do you have gum?”

“I think so,” she nods, narrowing her eyes when a combination of laughter and groans come from either side of my flaming cheeks. “What’s that all ab-”

“Nothing,” I cut her off, taking the gum. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Lucky you, this is my last piece,” she winks, replacing her bag onto her shoulder before glancing at her watch. “Okay, boys. We need to get to our seats and let Evie finish up,” she orders softly. “We just wanted you to know we made it and tell you how proud we are of you,” she smiles down at me, her eyes teary as she squeezes my cheeks into a fish face. “Break a leg, baby girl. I love you.”

“I love you, too,” I smile, kissing her cheek before returning Mason’s hug. “Love you, Mase.”

“Love you, too, sis,” he says low, kissing my hair. “Go show ‘em how it’s done.”

“Okay,” I nod quickly, watching him step away with a wide smile.

“You comin’ man?” he asks, facing Dash.

“Yeah,” he nods, clearing his throat. “I’m right behind you.”

“Alright, man,” he replies, letting himself out and leaving us.

“Deep breaths, pretty girl,” Dash croons as he pulls me close, kissing my temple before taking a small step back and rubbing my shoulders. “I’m right out there if you need me, but try not to worry, okay? You’re gonna be great. You just gotta be yourself and let go, baby.”

“Okay,” I nod nervously. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” he sighs, studying my features for a second before reaching into his pocket. “I have something for you.”

“What is it?” I ask, taking the small box when he hands it to me and running my fingers over the smooth surface, my heart clenching slightly.

“Something big, maybe a little crazy,” he winks as I glance up at him. “It’s not much. Just a little reminder that no matter where tonight takes you, you’re smart, you’re talented and you’re gorgeous. The full package, baby,” he whispers, brushing my hair from my face as he repeats the words that had started it all, had started us. “You were meant to seize this world, little monster. This is just my obnoxious way of saying how lucky I feel to be along for the ride.”

“Thank you,” I whisper, tugging at the awkward ribbon he’d obviously tied on himself, smiling wide when I lift the lid. “It’s a key.”

“It sure is,” he nods, the desperate way he tries to hide the slight hitch in his breath making me stifle a smirk.

“This is a pretty big step for you, baby. Are you sure you’re ready for that?”

“Mhmm,” he nods once more as he rests his palm on my back.

“You lyin’?”

“No,” he shakes his head, his lips turned up in amusement. “I mean, obviously it’s kinda more symbolic than anything since the whole place is about to be in boxes, but…”

“Boxes?” I pull away. “What are you talking about?”

“It’s a two-hour commute,” he shrugs. “Which has been fine up until now, but if you’re moving here, I can’t keep putting all those miles on Sue, ba-”

“Wait a minute,” I cut him off. “Are you asking me to move in with you?”

“What the hell do you think we’ve been talking about for the last five minutes?”

“I thought you were just giving me a key to your place.”

“Well, for now. We don’t have a place here yet,” he chuckles. “How else are you gonna be able to get to all your stuff?”

“You’re stupid,” I laugh, tugging his beard. “And I’d love to move in with you, but are you sure that’s what you want, Dash?”

“I’m sure,” he nods, biting his lip in thought. “How about you? Are you sure?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Babe, you’re gonna see, sooner than you probably think, that you’ve got enough going for you that you can go anywhere, do anything, be with anyone,” he says quietly, searching my features. “I just want to make sure you’re happy. That this… us… me… all of it…” he trails off, locking his eyes with mine. “Look, I know you said you don’t want to go to New York and that I’m not the whole reason. And if that’s true, Evie, then that’s great, but if it isn’t…”

“Dash, I love you.”

“I know you do,” he kisses my hair. “But if you start having second thoughts about anything…”

“When are you gonna get it?” I cover his lips with my fingers, hating the uncertainty staining his masculine features. “New York is incredible, Dash,” I continue, holding his eyes. “But there’s not a single adventure that city has to offer that beats the one I want to have with you.”

He swallows hard as I lower my hand and give his beard and affectionate tug, clearing his throat before gripping the back of my head and kissing me fiercely. When he pulls away a moment later, I’m lightheaded.

“I love you,” he whispers against my lips.

“I love you, too,” I say with another quick peck. “Now give me my key.” 

“Evie?” Jodie pokes her head in once more, pulling my eyes to hers despite Dash’s lips curving into a wider grin against my neck, chuckling when I smack him. “Sam just hit the stage. You’re next.”

“Okay,” I nod, facing him nervously as I slide down his front. “This is it. Gimme one more.”

He bends to meet my lips, taking my lips with quick, but gentle force before pulling away with a wide grin.

“Go get ‘em, killer.”