Page 100 of Chasing Hope

“If you ever need a tour guide let me know.”

Her brow arches. “And how would Caleb feel about that?”

The question makes me pause.

Shrugging, I stare her down. “Caleb can manage his own emotions.”

Evie hums. “Can he now? I seem to remember a time where you cared a lot about Caleb’s feelings.”

We’re no longer talking about traveling.

The air thickens, and that night all those years ago rushes to the forefront of my mind. I’ve tried to scrub that moment from my memory but our worst decisions always seem to haunt us. If I’m not thinking about it, I’m dreaming about it—more like reliving the nightmare of it.

Pushing up, I round the island. I’m about to tell her the truth, why I said what I said that night, and she knows it. I can see her pupils expand, her chest rising on a deep inhale.

Before I can so much as utter a single word, she’s shoving something at my chest. “Face mask?”

Stopping in my tracks, I look down at the jar in my hand. “Face mask?”

Why doesn’t she want me to talk about that night?

“Face mask.”

“Why are we repeating the same thing?”

“Well, mine was a question. You’re the one who’s suddenly a parrot.”

“Am I now?” I ask around a chuckle.

Smiling at me coyly, she pulls the tub back, holding it up and giving it a little shake. “What do you say?” She rubs a hand over her cheeks. “I think the mud from the hike is messing with my skin.”

“Okay.” I shrug. “Let me know what to do.”

Evie’s eyes widen before they narrow. “Really?”

“Yeah.”

“You’re going to let me put this stuff on your face?”

“Why not?”

I’d do anything to keep you smiling. I’d do anything you ask of me.

“Okay, but don’t complain to me when you look like the Loch Ness monster.”

“Have you ever heard me complain to you?” Her lips part eagerly, but then she frowns, and then her mouth snaps shut. Tapping her on the nose, I grin victoriously. “Precisely. Now, where do you want me?”

A blush forms on her cheeks as she hops off the stool.Clasping my wrist, she pulls me toward the sofa, pushing me down in such a way I can’t help it, my dick twitches.

I lean back, fisting my hands at my sides to keep myself from touching her as Evie sits on her knees beside me. She opens the jar, the smell wafting out making me take another sniff.

“Not bad.”

Evie smirks. “Better than not bad. This stuff smells like heaven.”

“You’re right, though, it looks…”

“We’re going to look like Shrek and Fiona by the time I’m done.” She grabs my jaw, turning my head this way and that as she inspects me. I don’t dare utter a word, not when I want her to continue touching me.