Chapter 7 - Don't Pretend You Forgot

Evelyn

My brows pulled together slightly as I stared at him.

“What problem?” I asked.

Damon didn’t answer.

He just held my gaze, his lips curving faintly, his eyes dragging over my face, lingering like he knew something I didn’t.

And somehow… that only made it worse.

“Are you serious right now? Do you think you can control my life?!” My voice came out louder than I expected, sharp enough that a few heads turned, but I didn’t care.

Everything was crashing at once, too loud inside me to keep contained. I blinked hard, trying to keep the tears from falling. Even after all that alcohol, I wasn’t drunk. Not even close. Every single thing still sat in my chest, clear, heavy, refusing to blur.

I turned back to the waiter, gripping the edge of the counter like it was the only thing keeping me steady. “Please, just pour the drink,” I said, my voice tighter now. “I just want to forget it all…”

But he didn’t move. He wasn’t even looking at me.

His eyes flicked toward Damon, like he was waiting for permission.

I followed his gaze.

Damon was just sitting there, watching me. Those blue eyes locked on me like I was some kind of puzzle he hadn’t figured out yet. It was annoying. Infuriating, even.

I let out a frustrated breath and pushed myself up from the stool, grabbing my bag in one quick motion. Fine. If they wanted to act like I was

invisible, I could leave.

I slid my card across the counter. “Swipe it. How much?”

Before the waiter could even touch it, Damon’s hand came in, quick and sure, taking the card from the counter.

“It’s on the house,” he said, his tone calm, almost casual, like he wasn’t currently ruining my mood even more. “You don’t need to pay.”

My brows pulled together instantly. “Who asked you to—”

He didn’t let me finish. His fingers brushed mine as he placed the card back into my hand, firm, deliberate.

“Alright, fine,” I snapped, pulling my hand back. “I’ll take my leave and go get booze in another club. Now that I know this is yours, you won’t see me here again.”

I turned sharply, ready to walk out, done with him, done with everything.

I barely made it two steps.

A hand caught my wrist strong.

Before I could react, I was pulled back, my body colliding lightly with his. My palms pressed against his chest instinctively, steadying myself.

For a second, everything stilled.

He was close. Too close.

His cologne hit me first—something deep, clean, expensive. Then his eyes. Those blue eyes were right there, holding mine, intense in a way that made it hard to look away.

His hand slid to my waist, holding me in place like I might disappear if he let go.

“Are you pretending,” he said quietly, his voice lower now, almost teasing, “or you really don’t remember what happened that night?”

He leaned down slightly, closing the height between us. He was tall. 6ft. His face dipped closer, his breath brushing lightly against my lips, not touching, but close enough to make my pulse jump.

I shoved him immediately, my hands pressing hard against his chest as I stepped back. “What the hell are you trying to do? Are you nuts?!”

He didn’t look offended. If anything, he looked amused.

A slow smirk tugged at his lips as he straightened, one hand running through his hair casually, like this was all some kind of game to him.

“I was just trying to give you a little reminder,” he said, biting lightly on his lower lip, eyes still on me. “Of what you did that day.”

My heart skipped.

Wait. Did I…? Kiss him?

No. No, that didn’t even make sense.

“That can’t be,” I muttered under my breath, my brows knitting together as I stared at him.

He didn’t deny it. He just watched me like he was enjoying every second of my confusion.

“You should visit a doctor,” I shot back quickly, rolling my eyes to cover it up. “Seriously.”

I didn’t wait for his reply this time. I turned and walked out before he could say anything else. I already had too much going on. I didn’t need whatever this was.

The moment I stepped outside, the sky answered for me.

Thunder cracked loudly, echoing through the air.

I froze for half a second. Then the rain came.

Fast and heavy.

“Great…” I muttered under my breath, already pulling out my phone. I tried booking a ride, my fingers moving quickly over the screen, but nothing. No cars nearby. The signal flickered like it was mocking me.

“Seriously?” I whispered, frustration building again.

The rain picked up, soaking through my clothes within seconds. I looked around quickly, searching for any kind of shelter.

Nothing.

Just open space and bad timing.

I exhaled sharply and started walking toward the bus station. It was far. Too far. But standing here wasn’t an option either.

The rain hit harder, cold against my skin, my hair sticking to my face as I moved faster.

Then headlights cut through the rain.

A sleek SUV slowed down nearby. I stopped.

Please don’t be him.

The window rolled down. Of course it was him.

Damon.

“Hey,” he called out, his voice carrying easily despite the rain, a hint of amusement still sitting there. “Get in. I’ll take you home.”

I didn’t even hesitate. “No. I’d rather get drenched. You can go ahead.”

I turned away immediately, focusing back on my phone like I could magically summon a ride if I tried hard enough.

“You know you won’t get one,” he added, like he was stating a fact, not offering help.

I ignored him and kept walking.

One step. Two.

Then footsteps behind me.

Before I could turn—A hand wrapped around me.

And suddenly, I was off the ground.

“What—hey! Put me down!” I snapped, struggling slightly as he lifted me effortlessly, one arm under my knees, the other supporting my back in bridal style.

Seriously?

“What the heck are you doing?!” I demanded, my hands instinctively gripping his shirt as the rain poured around us.

He didn’t even look bothered. Not even slightly.

“I just can’t leave my brother’s wife standing in the rain,” he said smoothly, like this was the most normal thing in the world, his hold firm as he carried me toward the car.