Page 24 of Chasing Hope
Followed by a sudden thump, curse, and a loud crash that is undoubtedly her body.
NowI’m truly laughing.
Even tears spring into my eyes.
“Stop laughing at me!” she calls from upstairs.
“Never!”
Evie is the clumsiest woman I’ve ever met, and fuck, don’t I love her for it. You could forewarn her that a branch is in the middle of the path, and she’dstillsomehow manage to trip over it.
On second thought, maybe this hike isn’t the best idea.
As if we’re always in tune, Evie comes barreling down the stairs, the sight of her stealing my breath and laughter. She’s in fitted black leggings and a tight navy top that makes those blue eyes of hers pop.
“If I fall off a cliff on a hikeyoudragged me to, I’ll haunt you until your dying breath.”
Swallowing thickly, I avert my gaze from her legs before my mind takes a dive off the friendship board and straight into the gutter.
“I don’t believe in ghosts,” I drawl to distract myself.
Evie rolls her eyes before strutting past me and picking up a hiking pack. “Of course you don’t. I’m sure you never believed in Santa either.”
“Of course I didn’t,” I say smoothly, placing my bag over my shoulder and opening the apartment door for her. She goes to duck under my arm as I add, “My parents never let me.”
Evie pauses a mere inch from me, her head snapping up as something akin to shame washes over her features.
Lowering my head, I expect her to pull away, but to mysurprise, she allows me to move closer. “Don’t grow soft on me, Dove,” I whisper. “I don’t need your pity.”
“It’s not pity I feel for you, Valenti,” she replies. “It’s rage.” She steps under my arm, her hips swaying as she walks down the hall toward the elevator. “Remind me to chew your parents a new one next time I see them.”
“Good luck with that. I haven’t even seen them this year.”
“Well then I have two things to cuss them out for,” she declares as I lock the door behind me.
The elevator dings, signaling the cart has arrived moments before the door opens. Stepping in, I quickly press the button for the garage.
Evie’s lips purse. “So, which trail are you forcing me to walk?”
“Bluebird Lake.”
She spins to face me. “That’s a six-hour trail!”
“I know,” I say, ignoring her look of pure indignation.
Sputtering, she pushes off the elevator wall. “I thought we’d do an easy one-hour walk, not a goddamn hike!”
“I said hike, not walk,” I state flatly. “We’ve done harder ones before. You’ll be fine.”
She throws her arms in the air. “I should have locked myself in the bathroom.”
Chapter 8
Evie
MATTEO
your best friend is psychotic
