“I know. Don’t start.” Lynette subsided with a sigh.
Having now met Emma’s mother, a tiny, still-striking woman of Korean descent, Renae could understand why Emma didn’t want discussion of her impending travel at the party. Just a passing mention of the upcoming assignment had Amy Grainger’s eyes welling with tears she had bravely fought back, even though Emma had impatiently reminded her mother and everyone else within hearing that she wasn’t moving to the other side of the world, and she had every intention of coming back home when the job was completed.
“I take it you’ve never lived away from your parents,” Renae couldn’t resist saying to Emma.
Tucking a strand of glossy dark hair behind her ear, Emma made a face. “I have my own apartment in Little Rock, but the farthest I’ve ever lived from them was when I went to college in Conway, a half hour drive from their house. They have their reasons for being so overprotective, but I just think it would be good for all of us for me to be completely independent. Besides, I’d like to see what else is out there, you know? I mean, I’ve traveled with my family and I went to Europe in college—but I’ve never truly lived on my own in a new place. I just want to see if I can do it.”
“Aren’t you nervous about it?” Lynette asked curiously, still resistant but looking more intrigued by Emma’s explanation.
Emma laughed shortly. “I’m scared half to death. But I figure if I don’t take a few risks I’ll never know what I might have missed, you know?”
Renae felt her left eye twitch in what might have been a slight wince.
Evan and Tate rejoined them then, pleased that they’d just made a valuable business connection. From the front of the ballroom, Emma’s dad announced that only five minutes remained before the close of the auction. Emma joined the ensuing, laughing rush toward the tables to make sure she was the final bidder on the afghan.
“Did you bid on anything?” Evan asked Renae with a smile.
“Of course. I left a bid on the dog training classes. Boomer could really benefit from that.”
“Boomer, huh?” he asked with a chuckle. “This would be the dog who caused you to fall off the stepladder?”
She smiled up at him. “That would be the one.”
He grinned. “Then yes, I would say lessons are definitely in order.”
Their gazes locked for a moment, but then she looked away. Only to find herself meeting Lynette’s indulgently approving smile. Lynette must have read more into that brief exchange than had actually been there, Renae assured herself.
She had told herself she wouldn’t go up to Evan’s apartment after the party, but would instead get straight into her car and head home. It wasn’t very late when they drove into his parking lot, and she had no doubt she would be tempted to stay quite a while if she went upstairs.
Maybe he sensed her quandary. After turning off the engine, he gave her a moment before asking in a quiet voice, “Have you decided yet?”
She unfastened her seat belt. “Decided what?”
“Whether you’re coming up. Surely you know I’m voting yes.”
She yearned. That was the only word to describe the way she felt when she thought of entering Evan’s apartment, moving into his arms. Though it had been only a week and a half since they’d made love, suddenly it felt so long. She’d suppressed the sensual side of her nature for a very long time, but now that Evan had reawakened it, it was hard to ignore.
Every time they were together, he became more important to her. Which admittedly terrified her.
If I don’t take a few risks I’ll never know what I might have missed, Emma had said.
Renae knew exactly what she would be missing. And she understood clearly the risks she faced.
With a sigh, she opened her purse and dug into it.
She sensed Evan’s disapproval. “Looking for your keys?”
Taking out her phone, she peered down at the screen as she typed a quick message. “Just telling Lucy not to wait up for me.”
He went still for a moment, then nodded in satisfaction. “Good.”
* * *
Tiny white lights glimmering above her head and a low fire in the gas log fireplace were the only illumination in the deeply shadowed living room. Lying on a soft blanket spread on the floor, a snuggly fleece throw draped over her, Renae gazed up at the tree, mesmerized by the reflections on the shiny ornaments. Evan lay beside her, one arm beneath her, the other crooked behind his head.
Drawing her attention from the tree lights, she focused on Evan. He looked relaxed, contented. So very appealing. She reached out to trail a finger along his strong jaw.
He smiled at her. “What?”