Is he on another rescue mission?
Is he in danger?
Does he already have a woman he loves?
Not a single day had gone by since they’d parted ways that she hadn’t found herself thinking about the man who’d saved her life. Not a single night had passed when he hadn’t been present in her dreams.
The man gave you his number. You could just shoot him a text. Or, you know…call him.
“I’ll think about it,” she spoke to both her inner self and to Lo. “In the meantime, have fun tonight, and be careful. Oh, and promise to tell your sister I said hi.”
“Okay, I will, and I promise.” Lo grinned. “Don’t worry. I’ll call you tomorrow to share all the deets.”
“Not sure I want to knowallthe deets.” Evie chuckled. “Just kidding. I can’t wait to hear how your first official blind date went.”
A stretch of silence passed before the other woman asked, “Seriously, Eves. Are you doing okay? You seem…I don’t know…different somehow.”
“I’m good.” The positive response was automatic. “Just tired.”
Though she looked like she wanted to say more on the subject, Lo ended the conversation with a soft, “Love ya, sweetie.”
“Love you back.”
The two shared a parting smile before Evie reached up and pushed her laptop closed. Letting her head fall back against Lo’scushioned headboard, she closed her eyes and blew out a long, slow exhale.
She really hated having to lie to her best friend. Or anyone, for that matter. Aside from the nightmares she still suffered on a nightly basis, that had been the worst part of the whole ordeal.
Now, more than ever before, Evie needed to talk. She was still trying to process what had happened and working to make sense of everything.
Deep down, she knew she probably never would. Not fully, anyway. But it sure would be nice to be at least able to talk through some things with someone who’d understand.
Her lids lifted, and she glanced at where her purse hung from a decorative wall hook near the door. She thought about the small, rectangular business card still tucked safely away inside. Thought about the number that had been hand-scribbled in black ink on the back.
Evie recalled the moment Beckett had handed her that card, and then she thought about what he’d said…
My personal cell is on the back. You need anything…even if it’s just to talk…feel free to text or call it anytime.
She could still hear the deep rumble of his voice. Could still feel the tingling in her lower belly the arousing sound had created.
I don’t give that number to just anyone. And for what it’s worth, I really hope to hear from you again soon. Even if it’s just to let me know how you’re doing.
At first, she’d been incredibly flattered by the gesture. After all, there’d been a moment there—right before Petty Officer Billings had walked back into the exam room—when she was almost certain he’d been about to kiss her.
You take care of yourself, darlin’. Talk soon, yeah?
Those were the last things he’d said to her, and then…he was gone.
At the time, Evie had fully intended to text him when she returned to the States. Just to let him know she’d made it back into the country safely and that she was doing okay. But then she remembered those bastards had purposely crushed her phone, and she’d been forced to leave it behind when she was taken.
The more time that passed, the more Evie became convinced that she’d imagined the heat in Beckett’s eyes and the electricity that had arched from his soft, sweet touch. Soon, the fear of rejection had become so real she decided it was best to put it all behind her—including him.
If that’s really true, why do you still have his card?
Evie glanced at her purse again. It was just a text, right? There wasn’t anything scary about one of those. It would just be a few simple, typed-out words to let Beckett know she was still alive.
There was no harm in that, right? No suggestion of expectations or anything remotely romantic. Just a simple, purely platonic-intended text.
She could practically hear Lo’s voice in her head now…