14. Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Jamie

I pull up in front of my house, turning off the ignition. I breathe and run a shaky hand through my hair while I watch the snow gently fall onto my windshield.

"I'm completely out of my element," I mumble.

I've never done things loudly like Sean or Jess, but I've always gone after what I wanted.

I want Evie. I want her to be mine more than I've ever wanted anything in my entire life.

If that means putting it all on display for everyone to see, so be it. It's not the time to be reserved. It's not the time to worry or care what other people think is happening. It's all about letting Evie know what I want to happen.

I wring my hands and give myself a mental shake. My stomach swirls as I realize what I'm committing myself to and how vulnerable I need to be. A chill runs through my body at the thought of being exposed.

Evie's face flashes across my mind. My lips curve up, and my body relaxes. She has a way of putting me at ease. I can be myself with Evie; I don't have to be this perfect man. I just have to be honest and sincere.

I breathe deeply and rub my hands up and down my face. "Why can't relationships be like work?"

Striving for a work goal is easy. I know what I need to do, and I just do it. Simple.

This thing with Evie isn't simple, which is strange because she's the one person, besides Sean, for whom it's always been easy. Granted, we were just friends, but our personalities were similar enough to always fall into an easy routine.

I shake my head and get out of the car. Cold snow falls on my face, and I think of last winter. I was falling head over heels for Evie, and I didn't even know it. When I realized it, I started to doubt that I was the right man for her.

I don't date women of Evie's caliber; I date people with names like Barbie. I know, I know. Don't judge me. I wasn't looking for something of substance. I didn't even know I wanted it.

Until now.

I want it now. And I want it with Evie.

I put my keys down just as my phone beeps, and I look to see a text from my boss.

I immediately call the office. I'm still working as a government contractor but I can now work anywhere I want. The last six months were all about security clearance, training, and testing my skills. I passed with flying colors, just as I expected.

I haven't told anyone yet, not because I'm hiding anything, but because I've just been distracted with everything going on since I got back. Well, mainly everything going on with Evie.

"Stewart," Scott Lewis says as he picks up. "The security team has everything for you to begin working from your home office. I have an assignment if you're ready?"

The security team stopped over and set up my office today, ensuring everything was completely secure so I could work here in Willow Falls.

"Ready and at your service. What do you need?"

I listen to his instructions as I head into the kitchen to grab a few protein shakes and bars. I walk into my office, turn on my computer and grab my headphones. It's gonna be a long Bach kind of night.

It was a Bach, Vivaldi, and Beethoven kind of night. I take my headphones off and roll my neck, working to ease some of the stiffness. The sun is shining brightly through the windows and I'm ready to pass out.

Tracking the source took much longer than I had anticipated. They were good at hiding. Luckily, I was better. But they did lead me on a wild goose chase before they made one little mistake that led to me easily tracking them.

I sent over the information to Lewis. Hopefully the authorities will take it from here.

The nagging fear that I'm as anonymous as I believe pops into my head for a second, and once again, I question the safety of my job. But I push it aside.

I get up from my chair and stretch. Now that my mind is no longer occupied with work, thoughts of Evie rush in like a flood. I can't stop the flutter in my belly and the smile that crawls along my lips. She looked adorable yesterday. I love that I got to spend time with her planning a skating event for Sean and Jessica.

Everything about it was perfect, even her annoyance. I love getting to see all these new sides of her. She's a complex woman, and I love her more with every aspect I encounter.

I guess I'm not angry because I'm in on the matchmaking plan; otherwise, I might be as annoyed as Evie with us being shoved together.

Nah, I wouldn't be upset at all. Unlike her, I'm mad at myself, not her.

I don't blame her for being hesitant or upset with what's happening. My heart races as an image of her standing under the mistletoe runs through my thoughts.

Her face was soft, her lips slightly parted, her eyes closing. I slap my forehead, groan and pull my hand down my face blowing out a breath.

I regret not kissing her. I wanted to press my lips to hers so badly, but restraint was wise, despite Sean's comment to the contrary. I can only hope that I'm given more chances in the future. Unlimited chances in the future. If I have it my way, I will get to kiss her every day for the rest of my life.

My hand freezes as I grab a bottle of water from the fridge. Am I really thinking about marrying Evie? I slowly open the water bottle and take a sip, noticing that my heart rate is normal.

I would have vehemently denied it if you had asked me six months ago if I had planned on getting married. But being without Evie has changed that perspective.

I feel my phone vibrate and pull it out of my pocket to see Sean calling.

"Hey, Sean. What's up?" I say sluggishly.

"You sound tired," Jessica's voice answers me. "Are you okay?"

"Now you're calling me from Sean's phone?"

"We're both here," Sean answers, and I groan. "Jess is right; you do sound tired."

"I was working."

"Working?" They ask together.

"Yeah, I'm still working as a contractor. I just have the ability to work from wherever I want now."

"Why didn't you tell everyone?" Again, with the synchronicity. I hear a chuckle and a smacking of the lips. I groan.

"I was distracted, and it wasn't something of importance." I rub my hand across the stubble on my chin and take a deep breath. I'm too tired to deal with a lovey-dovey and inquiring Sean and Jessica. "Did you call for a reason? I'm beat and need to get some sleep."

"Yes!" Jessica laughs. "You need a makeover!"

" WHAT?! No!" There is no way that I am getting dragged into this makeover thing. "Look Jess, I'm sorry we made you do that but—"

"Seriously, Jamie, you'll love it!" I drop my head and groan at her words.

"Look, I'm fine how I—"

"You're not getting out of this one," Sean chimes in. "Part of the matchmaking experience is the makeover. Trust us."

"Yeah, trust us," Jessica echoes.

Ugh. What have I gotten myself into? I blow out a big breath and growl. "I hate you two right now."

The laughs have me wanting to reach my hand through the other end of the phone to wring both of their necks.

"Jamie, do it for Evie," Jessica chirps. "She will love knowing that you did this for her."

I roll my eyes and then let out a huff. "Okay, for Evie. But if you tell anyone, I swear…"

"Mum is the word," they say together. "Jinx."

The phone is filled with Jessica and Sean's sweet, sickening adorableness. In spite of myself, my lips curve up.

"I can't handle you two right now; I need some sleep." I fake annoyance. "When are we doing this?"

"Over the next few days," Sean answers.

"What?! Why so soon?"

I hear Jessica mumble something.

"Thanks, babe! I'll see you later." I roll my eyes at the dual conversation going on.

"Bye, Jamie."

I ignore my sister; I'm too tired to be polite. "Why so soon?" I ask again.

"We don't have much time, and you're a project," Sean calmly answers.

"I'm a proje—"

"Look, don't get upset." Sean tries to appease me.

"You just told me that you want me to get a makeover and that I'm a project; and you don't want me to get upset?!"

"Jamie, relax—"

"Look. I agreed to this, but I can't handle the details right now. I'm exhausted. I'll call you later, and we can iron everything out. But it better not include any waxing."

Sean laughs at me, and I can almost feel my hands slowly squeezing his neck.

"No waxing, I promise. Get some sleep. I'm not sure that I can deal with a cranky you and Evie."

He hangs up before I can respond, and I just stare at the phone with my mouth open.

He'd be cranky, too, if he were operating on almost 36 hours without sleep. That's not true. That best friend of mine can go a long time without sleep before getting cranky.

He is one of the most annoying people I know. And one of the best people. I shake my head and smirk. I'm glad he's in my corner.

I head toward my bedroom when I hear fiddling at the front door.

I debate ignoring it as I can barely stand upright, but curiosity gets the better of me. When I open the front door, I see Evie walking down the stairs.

"Evie?"

She whips around, surprised at being caught. I feel my lips quirk.

"I-uh, wasn't expecting you to be up."

I lean against my doorframe with my arms crossed over my chest. "I was just heading to bed. "

"You haven't gone to sleep yet?" Her eyes narrow, and her head tilts.

I debate just answering the question vaguely but realize that won't serve my purpose in the long run. "No, I was working all night."

Her eyes widen. Confusion oozing from every ounce of her. "Oh. I see."

But she clearly doesn't. I'm too tired to explain at the moment, though. "Why did you stop by?"

"Oh, yeah! Sean." She looks at her gloves and attempts to pretend they're loose, but I recognize the nervous tick. "He wanted me to drop off an envelope for you. I put it in your mailbox."

"Oh. Okay. Thanks." I can't keep the disappointment from my tone. I grab the envelope and point over my shoulder. "I'm gonna head in and go to bed. I'll talk to you later."

She hesitates for a moment before blurting out, "Sleep well." And rushes to her car. Am I exhausted, or did she want to say something else?

I close the door and open the envelope Sean had Evie bring over.

Say yes to the makeover .

~Sean

I shake my head and chuckle at the lengths Sean will go at matchmaking.

When I get to my bedroom, I put my phone and the letter on the nightstand and slip into bed. Before I drift off into a deep slumber, my last thought is why I thought that allowing Sean and Jessica to play matchmaker was a good idea.

And then there are no thoughts at all.