Evelyn
I bit my lip, looking up at the man in front of me. He was handsome, toned, with bright blue eyes and messy, light brown hair. Very, very handsome. He leaned in, pressing a kiss onto my cheek. Gentle. Soft. Tentative.
Wrong.
His hand caressed the soft skin of my neck as he tilted his face slightly, trying to kiss my lips.
Except when he pulled back slightly, and his eyes met mine, I didn’t see him anymore.
Nathan’s gray eyes looked back at me, catching me off guard and making me shake my head.
“Tonight was nice,” I said, clearing my throat. I’d tried, but I couldn’t. The dating scene wasn’t for me, especially when I could see only him.
“Can I come in?” James asked, a teasing smile on his face.
My heart raced, not because I was nervous around him, but because I didn’t know how to let him down easily, as I had with the others.
It was our second date, and the guy probably thought he was going to get lucky or something of the sort. He was so wrong. As handsome as he was, I just didn’t feel that spark. In fact, I didn’t feel a spark with anyone. I couldn’t find the person that could make me trust them…make me feel.
“Uh, I’m actually a bit tired,” I replied, forcing a smile.
He shoved his hands into his pockets, shaking his head. “Really? You seem pretty awake to me, Evie.”
My name sounded weird leaving his lips. I didn’t like it.
“It’s Evelyn,” I said. I let out a breath, fidgeting with my clutch. I had practiced this speech with several other men already. I went out on a lot of dates but they…sucked. “Listen, James, this has been nice, really. But I don’t think it’s going to work out.”
James frowned, his eyes fixed on my face. “I don’t understand.”
“I’m not interested in anything serious.”
His lips tilted up into a slow smirk. “I’m not either.”
Oh God.
“What do you say we have a good time tonight? If it happens again, then so be it, but if not, at least we made the most of it,” he said, stepping closer to me.
“You’re not understanding. I’m not interested at all. Sorry for wasting your time, James.”
I tightened the coat around me and finally stepped inside the condo building in which I lived. I could still feel his glare, but it didn’t matter, at least I was getting out of there.
After a year and a half of living in New York, I still couldn’t believe this was my home. Carter and I lived in the same building but in different areas, so we both had a sense of privacy. Still, every morning we had breakfast together and more than likely dinner too.
Friendships were difficult to come across now, and the only reason I tried to date was under the insistence of Carter. He wanted to see me happy with someone. I was by no means unhappy…I was just alone. I felt like I had to be. Trust was a word I didn’t fully believe in anymore.
I unlocked my condo, closing the door behind me and throwing my purse on the floor. “I’m not going on another date ever,” I promised, taking out a bottle of wine.
Before pouring myself a glass, I took off the uncomfortable dress and put on my pajamas, bundling myself up in one of the coziest blankets I had. I walked out onto the balcony with the bottle and glass, sitting down in one of the patio chairs.
Admiring the city lights was one of my favorite things to do. I was sure I had made the right decision; this place was the furthest thing from my previous environment, and I loved it. Even then, I couldn’t help but feel something was missing.
I enjoyed the anonymity of being in New York. No one knew me here, no one knew my past, and no one knew my story. The perfect place for a new start.
Except that new start never started. It seemed as if my life had just gotten stuck. Sure, I had things to do and had a place to live, but there was just so much that was still missing.
I stole a glance at my phone.
11 p.m.
Would he still be up?
Building up courage, I dialed the phone number as I took a sip of the wine. I didn’t expect him to pick up; he was probably sleeping. Being head of the art department, Nathan barely even had time to eat anymore. I was very proud of him and all that he’d accomplished in the time I had been gone. Everything he had set his mind to was finally happening.
That didn’t change the fact that I missed him.
I was about to hang up when his face appeared on the screen, the chaos behind him much too loud. He was smiling, looking happy with his friends.
“Hey,” he said, lifting a beer. I lifted my glass up just the same, a toast from miles and miles away. “How was your date?”
I rolled my eyes. That would be something he asked me with everyone around him. “It was fine. How’s your night so far? Seems busy,” I said, covering myself up from the cool air.
“Just Lanthorn and his wife, couple of friends. Say hi,” he said, turning his phone so I got a view of his crowded house. Everyone greeted me as if they knew me, and I waved back.
Professor Lanthorn and Nathan had formed quite a friendship after the events of a year back. His wife and he tried many, many times to set him up with a couple of her friends. It never worked out as planned. One woman had a slight obsession with earthquakes which, for clear reasons, scared Nathan off. The other he’d decided they were better off as friends.
“Let me go somewhere quiet.” He excused himself, and I heard a door opening then closing as he sat down on the porch of the house.
“So, now you can tell me all about that date,” he said with a chuckle. I saw him take a sip of his beer, then run his hand through his hair. He wasn’t drunk, but a bit tipsy, much more relaxed than I’d seen him in a while.
“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “Could have been better, I guess.”
“What was wrong with this one?”
“Nothing,” I sighed. “I just wasn’t too comfortable with him. No spark, nothing.”
Nathan rolled his eyes. “Jeez, Evie. I don’t remember you being this picky.”
I don’t, either.
“I’m not picky,” I replied, ready to tease him. “I just have bad luck with men.”
“Ouch.” He winced.
I giggled, leaning back in the chair. “You should see the city lights from here. They look beautiful,” I said quietly.
“Mm, show me.”
I smiled, switching the camera so he could see the scenery.
“Maybe one day soon you can give me a tour of New York City,” he said.
Right.
In the time that had passed, we hadn’t seen each other in person because, for one, I wasn’t ready to return to Pennsylvania, and for two, he never had time. His new job had given him additional responsibilities, and since he continued to teach, it wasn’t easy for him to dedicate time to anything else anymore.
Despite the distance and everything that happened between us, we had forged a strong friendship. I didn’t fool myself, though; I wasn’t sure how I’d react if we were ever face to face again. I told myself I would be strong, but Carter didn’t think so.
He said that it’s very difficult to just be friends with someone who had been so important in your life.
I thought Nathan and I were doing a pretty good job at it.
“Why the party?” I asked Nathan, switching the camera back around. “You don’t do those gatherings often.”
He shrugged the question off. “Eh, Thomas just thought it would be good to get together with a couple of friends. It’s been a pretty good night overall.”
“Met any girls?” I asked, raising my eyebrows.
A slow smile crept on his face. “Yeah. I scared them off, though.”
“Oh, goodness. What did you do?”
With a smirk, he replied, “I showed them the five-legged horse or dog or whatever the fuck it was that you drew.”
“No.” I could feel the color rising to my cheeks, my ears turning a bright shade of red. “You’re kidding, right? Why would you do that? And why the hell would you still have it?”
He burst out laughing, the corners of his eyes crinkling with the action. “It’s a masterpiece, I tell you.”
“Screw you,” I hissed, far too embarrassed to say anything else.
“I’m right here, darling,” was his quick reply.
I narrowed my eyes at him.
Always so blunt.
I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, closing my eyes.
“You’re wearing your bracelet,” he noted.
I never took it off.
“You know it,” I replied with a small smile. “If you want, I’ll let you go. You need to entertain your guests.”
Nathan rolled his eyes, finishing the last of his beer. “Most of them are too drunk to even notice if I’m there, Evie. Besides, it’s been a while since we talked like this. May as well take advantage, since the city life has you so busy.”
I walked back inside, locking the door to the balcony and throwing myself into bed. I lay on my side, placing the phone next to me. The day had been exhausting, and the sucky date had drained me of all energy.
“You heading to bed, pretty girl?” he asked, his smile softening.
I nodded, unable to hide my giddiness at the use of the nickname he had for me now.
“We’ll talk tomorrow?” I asked.
Nathan seemed to tense and finally exhaled, shaking his head. “I can’t. I’m going to be busy, but I’m sure on Sunday we’ll be able to sit back and talk.”
“I understand,” I said with a yawn. “Have fun and enjoy your party.”
“Of course, Evie. Good night.”
“Good night, Nathan.”
I closed my eyes and secretly couldn’t wait until Sunday to hear from him again.