The Match (It Happened in Charleston 1)

“Okay, good! Then just freakin’ chill. No one is asking you to propose. Do you know how many guys’ rooms I’ve snooped through when they weren’t looking? It’s how we make sure you’re not a creeper with lots of—”

“Don’t finish that sentence.”

“Stuffed animals,” she says, and I can hear her smile.

“That’s not what you were going to say.”

“Nope. It wasn’t. But seriously, just chill about it all, okay? Don’t push her away, but you don’t have to decide anything yet either. I assume you guys are already something of friends if she felt intrigued enough to play spy in your room. So maybe just keep being her friend until you’re sure you want to take that next step into Relationship Land. And if the situation arises for you to play tonsil hockey—”

“UGH. Goodbye, June.”

“Byyyeee.”

I end the call and plant my hands on my bathroom counter to stare at myself in the mirror for a minute. It’s literally been over eleven years since I’ve kissed anyone other than Natalie. This past year has been so insane with the divorce and Sam’s diagnosis that I haven’t even had a minute to think about being a normal male.

I’m thinking about it now, though.

June’s right. There’s no need to rush it. It’s better for everyone if Evie and I just stay friends for a while. I can’t do the dating thing the way a normal man my age would, anyway. I have to be cautious because of Sam. Evie would be dating both of us, and since she’s not even thirty yet, I don’t know if that’s something she would even want. I need to inch toward the line. Feel her out.

I can hear June’s voice in my head, saying, I think you mean UP. No, June, I don’t mean up.

I’m going to take things slow with Evie. Christmas slow. Painfully slow. No-one-can-even-see-me-moving slow. And if she sticks around—if she can handle the lack of speed—I’ll consider Relationship Land.

I walk into the living room just in time to see Evie physically pushing her boss toward the door. “Thanks for stopping by! You can be on your way now.”

“But I only just got here!” She’s digging in her heels and smiling ear to ear. I don’t even know this woman, and I can tell she’s messing with Evie.

“And you didn’t need to come in the first place, so go before he comes back!”

“Too late,” I say with a smile. “He’s back.”

Evie turns around with wide eyes—she might as well have a canary sticking out of her mouth. Sam snickers from her perch on the couch’s armrest, and Evie narrows her eyes at her, which makes Sam burst into laughter and fall back onto the couch. What am I missing here? Why does Evie not want me around her boss?

Joanna gives Evie a smug look before crossing in front of her to get to me. She holds out her hand and smiles wide. “I know we met briefly a few minutes ago, but let me formally introduce myself. Joanna Halstead. I’m the founder of Southern Service Paws, and I’m pleased as punch that you chose us to provide a dog for your precious daughter.”

Joanna is polite and engaging, and I still can’t figure out why Evie looks like she’s standing on pins and needles over by the door. Her hand is on the knob as if she’s ready to thrust it open and shove her boss out at any moment.

“I’m the one who’s grateful. Evie had every right to ignore my call and refuse my application after the way I treated her that first day.”

Joanna waves away my comment with a good-natured smile. “Water under the bridge. Believe it or not, you're not the first parent to not want a service dog for their child. It’s a little scary deciding to allow your baby’s safety to be put in the hands of a dog—or paws, I should say. But believe me, those paws are more than capable.”

“I see that now, and I’m excited to see what Sam’s new future will look like with Daisy. And honestly, it’s all thanks to Evie. She’s put in so much time here with my daughter, and I’m really grateful for all of her help.”

Joanna beams at me like I couldn’t have given a more perfect answer. She tosses a glance over her shoulder to Evie who opens the door and gestures for Joanna to walk out. Joanna just turns back to me, a new devious smile in place of the previous businessy one. “Evie really is the best. Never have I seen a heart bigger than hers.”

“Yep, I have a big ol’ heart! Well, thanks for coming to check on everything, Jo! Tell Gary I said hi!” Evie’s tone is shrill and panicked.

Joanna pays zero attention to her. Her eyes narrow on me, and I have a feeling I’m about to find out why Evie has been so adamant to get Joanna out of my house. “Mr. Broaden, has Evie told you about the benefit she’s been planning? We’re hoping to raise enough money to be able to give the dogs we are currently training to future recipients, free of charge. It was all Evie’s idea.”

“JO, YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE!” Evie yells.

Joanna just bats her hand behind her and waits for my answer.

“No, she didn’t. That is really incredible, though. When is it?” Why didn’t Evie tell me about it? Suddenly, I remember our first con

versation where I accused her of trying to make a big commission off the dogs, and I feel even worse about my prior behavior. Is that why she didn’t want to tell me? Because she didn’t want me to see it as her being defensive?

“It’s next Sunday night. Going to be quite the shindig—a black-tie affair and all the bigwigs in town were invited.”