Page 98 of The Challenge

His brows furrowed. “Where are you going?”

“Putting you out of your misery.”

He rose to his feet. “What do you mean?”

“The longer I stay out here with you, the harder it’s going to be since we’re both horny. I might as well just go to bed.”

“I can be good. I just need a minute to pipe down.”

But it was more than that. I was feeling very emotional about what he’d admitted tonight, and I didn’t want him to catch on. “It’s late,” I said. “I have an early web meeting tomorrow, so I’d better try to get some sleep.”

“Okay, then.” He frowned.

“You going to bed, too?” I asked.

“Gonna take a cold shower first.”

As I walked toward my room, I looked over my shoulder. “I know what that’s code for.”

“You got me.” He winked.

I’m so gonna miss living here.

Chapter 36

CHLOE

Two weeks later, I’d settled into my childhood home and had moved my mother into her old bedroom. Even with almost constant help, aside from the overnight hours, it’d been a bigger undertaking than I’d imagined. The only reason I’d been able to hire a caregiver so fast was that I’d decided to pay out of pocket to expedite things. And the fact that Evan hadn’t been charging me rent all this time was the only reason I could manage that. The care facility had put me in touch with a former staffer who’d retired but still worked per diem. It was lucky that she happened to be available.

When the caregiver was here, I’d alternate between work, sitting with Mom, and cleaning the house. Even though the workers were currently on pause, there was still a fair amount of dust.

I’d just closed my laptop for the day when my phone rang. It was Evan calling.

“Hey,” I answered. “What’s up?”

“How are things over there?”

“Stable. Mom doesn’t seem affected one way or the other by being home. I’d hoped it would trigger something positive in her, but I guess we’re beyond that point. It still makes me feel good to have her here, though.”

“I know Effie and I were supposed to be coming by later, but there’s a bit of an emergency at the power plant, so I’m not gonna be able to make it tonight.”

“No worries. Why don’t you still drop her by?”

“Well, I didn’t want to burden you, so I was gonna take her to Drew’s.”

“Nonsense. She was looking forward to it. Bring her here.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course. Mom has someone with her until after eleven tonight, and I’m finished with my work for the day. It’s the perfect time.”

“Okay, if you’re really okay with it, I know she’d love that.”

“I miss her,” I assured him.

A half hour later, the doorbell rang. I ran down the stairs to greet them, eager for the comic relief Effie would bring to an otherwise melancholy mood around here.

I opened to find Evan looking handsome as ever in a denim jacket rolled up at the sleeves, the beautiful veins in his forearms on full display. He also smelled divine. What I wouldn’t give for a moment alone with him right now.