Irresistible In Love
Page 30

“Evan.” She sounded surprised to hear from him. “It’s so nice of you to call.”
“How are you doing today?” he asked politely, even though it felt like his tie was strangling him. He’d phoned because it was the right thing to do. It didn’t mean he was going to start calling her Mom.
“I’m fine,” she replied.
His catchphrase. He suddenly knew who he’d learned it from as memories hit him. All those times he’d rushed to his mother after his father had gone off on her. I’m fine, Evan. She’d repeated those words to him a hundred times. Don’t worry, I’m fine.
“Just getting ready for work, Evan.”
“Any problems yesterday?”
“No problems,” she said in a low voice. And when she added, “It was lovely seeing you the other day,” he thought he understood the nervousness in her tone. She was still afraid of rejection. And why wouldn’t she be after what she’d done?
Still, he wanted her to know, “I’m glad you’re doing okay.” They were words that wouldn’t get anyone’s hopes up, but hopefully wouldn’t do any more harm either. “I better let you finish getting ready.” They’d exhausted any other conversation. At least, he had. “Is Tony there? I’d like a word with him.”
“I’ll get him.” She called her other son’s name, then said, “Evan?”
He tensed at whatever she might be about to add. “Yes?”
“Thank you for talking to me. On Sunday, I mean. And for calling today.”
“You’re welcome.” His voice was stilted, his emotions deliberately blotted flat.
“Here’s Tony.”
Relief washed through him like fresh spring rain. Tony he could handle. “Just checking in, Tony. I figured you would have called if Greg showed up.”
“Not a peep.”
“Glad to hear it.” He paused, before asking, “She didn’t try to call him?”
“No. Mom made a promise, and she keeps her promises.”
Right. He knew just how well she kept promises. But revealing his story to Paige had made him realize he had to at least give his mother credit for trying to protect him, while she’d been there, from his father’s abuse. It was her leaving without him that he couldn’t forget. Or forgive.
“But since I have to get back to San Francisco this morning…” Tony’s words already had a question in them. “Could you call her again sometime? I think she’ll do better if you, me, and Kelsey are all checking in with her. Letting her know we’re all available if anything happens.”
Evan’s knee-jerk no clenched tight in the pit of his stomach. He wanted to protect himself at all costs.
But honestly, a few phone calls wouldn’t hurt him. They wouldn’t mean he’d forgiven Theresa. Wouldn’t mean he wanted her to be his mom again. But it was the right thing to do.
“I’ll call.”
“Thanks, bro.”
Bro. The label took him by surprise. Especially how much he liked the sound of it coming from a man who was his biological brother.
Hanging up, he held the phone on his lap a moment, staring out at the buildings flashing by along Highway 101. He had a brother and a sister. Regardless of how it had come to be, there was something amazing about that. He suddenly had the urge to call Kelsey. Just to check in and see how she was doing.
If Paige were here, she’d push him to do it. To step outside his comfort zone one more time by reaching out to his sister. Because Paige was all about connection, family, loyalty, love. Which was amazing, considering the way her sister always treated her.
But if Paige had actually been here with him, he knew what he’d be unable to stop himself from doing. And it wouldn’t be making another phone call. He’d tell Mortimer to take them back to his house.
And then he’d finish what they’d started on the library couch the other night. It wouldn’t end with a kiss this time. Not even close.
Mortimer pulled up in front of Sebastian’s building, and Evan struggled to corral his focus. Sexy, forbidden daydreams about Paige couldn’t be tolerated, especially during a business meeting with his fellow Mavericks.
The Maverick Group made their headquarters on Sebastian’s twenty-ninth floor. Though each of them had their own enterprises, they came together for joint ventures, including real estate and other investment opportunities. Cal Danniger, as their business manager, handled daily operations on many of those ventures, but the five Mavericks made all the higher-level decisions as a group.
After telling Mortimer he’d walk to his own headquarters on Market Street when the meeting was done, Evan entered the lobby, passing Charlie’s magnificent sculpture, Chariot Race.
Charlie Ballard was an extreme talent, her medium being metal. The sculpture of four racing horses dragging a broken chariot dominated Sebastian’s lobby. It had become a tourist attraction all on its own, with people coming to admire the work of art, especially at noon when sunlight poured through the glass ceiling into the lobby, turning the metal into a blaze of glory. It was no wonder Sebastian had fallen for her.
Damned if Evan didn’t think of Paige. Again.
And damned if he couldn’t avoid the truth another second.
Because when Paige had been straddling him in his library, her arms and legs around him, her mouth pressed to his—all he could do, think, feel was her.
And in that moment, he’d never wanted anyone more.