Chapter 10

#Chapter 10

Evelyn

Kissing Miles on the forehead I caress the side of his neck and he bumps me with his wet nose, asking for a tummy scratch. Giving into his demand I bend down in front of him.

"Ivan, Yasmine, and I are going out for drinks. I'll be back in a few hours. Be a good boy and don't destroy stuff. Okay?" His tongue hanging out of his mouth is the only response I get.

"Also I promise I'll be back soon. Don't worry." I peck his nose and he melts onto the ground like a puddle.

Giggling at his curled-up figure at my feet I lift him in my arms and put him on the couch. I dim the lights and Miles's eyes begin to close. I take that as a sign to leave.

I open my purse and check if I have everything: credit card, cash, ID, keys, lipstick, tissues, and a pocket knife. That last item might be a little over the top but this is a big city. As much as I think I'm a big girl who can handle danger without a weapon, I don't want to take any risks.

Slipping on my black heels I lock the condo and hurry to the elevator. My phone pings once I'm inside.

T-Rex: Get your ass down here. I'm waiting.

I check my makeup in the reflection of the elevator door and adjust my hair one last time.

I'd decided to curl the strands into beachy waves. It used to take me a while to do, my hands having not been very skilled at the task, but now I get it done in a matter of minutes.

Swiping a hand down my dress to wipe off any stray dog hair I exit the building and approach the black BMW i8 gleaming under the parking lot street light.

Getting inside I look over and find Ivan sweeping his gaze over my red cocktail mini-dress. I was aiming to have a great night and red screamed that vibe to me.

"You look hot Evelyn." I fight the grin trying to creep its way onto my face.

"You don't look so bad yourself Ivan. Planning on taking a man home tonight?" I tease him.

"I hope I find some gay men. Everyone I'm drooling over turns out to be straight. I'm beginning to question my gaydar now." Patting his shoulder I try to ease his annoyance.

"Hey, it's okay. There's plenty of fish in the sea."

"That phrase was said about straight people. For us, it's just a lake. No, even that is big. More like a pond. And with my compass malfunctioning, I have no chance." I hate how disheartened Ivan sounds.

"You know what? Yasmine and I will find you a gay man tonight. Everyone except me will be going home with someone tonight."

"Cute, but I'm onto you. Trust me, a man will be warming your bed tonight."

Starting the engine with one hand movement he pulls onto the road and takes a turn.

"No man is warming my bed. I'm perfectly capable of warming it myself ." That came out dirtier than I thought it would.

"We'll see." I roll my eyes.

"Miles would bite off the man's legs before he'd be able to enter my home let alone have me in bed." Ivan chuckles.

"Miles is a good judge of character. And he doesn't like one-night stands. He wants you to be with someone for a long ride." Putting my purse on the floor, I look out the window.

"Long ride? That isn't happening anytime soon." The picture of Warren from three days ago slips through my mind and my heart squeezes inside my chest

Warren hadn't seen me in ten years, and he wanted to have a chat over dinner. He was downright crazy for even suggesting that. And even worse was the fact that there was no apology or glum look whatsoever. If anything he didn't look guilty at all about what he had done.

About the words he said and the things he did to me in the past. He's so fucking unaware of his mistakes. And he had the nerve to invite me out to dinner so we could reminisce about his screw-ups and he could have a chance to explain himself. Though, knowing him, the explanations he would feed me would be equal to a bucket of lies. A bucket of lies that I plan on dumping into a river along with him.

Even though three days have passed, not a single part of my body has been able to forget him.

Thoughts and theories of him round my brain all the time. I hate that I can't stop thinking about him.

For a decade, I was certain that he wouldn't come back into my life, but as always, he's proven me wrong.

The glimpses of us from the past have been haunting me for the past seventy-two hours. I've tried to run from them but nothing seems to be working.

It's like going into the attic and retrieving your box. The box that's stocked with remnants of the people and memories you've let go of. As soon as you lift the lid, the mere glance at the contents inside triggers you, and in a matter of seconds, every feeling and moment resurrects. It doesn't matter that you've slammed the box closed again and thrust it as far away as you can. You're already getting tied up in your mind.

"Where's your mind at?" Ivan breaks my train of thought.

"Just dwelling on the new projects. I hope everything goes well and the clients are satisfied with my work. This is my last hope."

"Don't worry, Buttercup. Your track record so far has been amazing. You'll nail this one too." With that, he pulls into the parking lot of some swanky nightclub that's pouring out neon lights and loud music.

We get out of the car and wait for Yasmine to join us. It's a little after ten when the three of us enter the club after showing our IDs.