He stared in disbelief. “She had you shot, she nearly ran you down, she stalked you, she shredded your clothes, and here you are making sure she gets psychiatric help?”
Erin shrugged. “What can I say? No rational person would do anything like that, so clearly she needs help. Her sister said she suffers from bipolar disorder. Just call a doctor in to evaluate her. I’m not saying she shouldn’t pay for what she did, but she needs to be medicated. Helped.”
Evan studied her, his gaze warm, full of more admiration than anything else, and she wasn’t uncomfortable. Maybe they could repair their friendship, after all.
“That man so does not deserve you,” Evan said.
She stepped back and leaned against the counter. “Can we please not discuss Cole?” To her mortification, her voice cracked on his name.
“I told him if he hurt you, I’d kill him.”
“He didn’t hurt me. Not in the way you think. He never lied, led me on, or told me I could expect more. That’s all on me.”
Evan wrapped a friendly arm around her shoulder. “Come on. Let’s go sit down.”
She liked this side of Evan, she thought, as she walked with him to her family room.
“Well, this is unexpected.”
Erin jumped at the sound of Cole’s voice, and Evan stiffened.
“Ever hear of ringing the bell, Sanders?” Evan asked.
“The door was partially open.” Cole shot a look at Erin that said she ought to know better.
Erin’s breath lodged in her throat. So much for distance making it easier to deal with him. He looked delicious in a black T-shirt and jeans, and her heart swelled with happiness before she immediately reminded herself he didn’t want a life with her—and sex wasn’t enough.
“What are you doing here?”
She watched as he visibly blew out a long breath, then clenched and unclenched his fists in an obvious effort to control his temper over finding her with Evan. She didn’t make it easy for him, instead waiting for an answer.
“I need to talk to you,” he said at last.
Erin wondered if Kelly had been in touch with him already.
Evan stepped away from Erin. “Are we all finished?” he asked.
“Yes, I think we covered everything.”
Evan nodded. “Then I’ll go and let you two talk.”
Cole’s jaw worked back and forth but he said nothing.
A part of her had expected Evan to get into an argument with Cole, but surprisingly her boss didn’t bait him.
“Take care of yourself. Don’t come back until you’re ready.” He turned to Erin and kissed her cheek.
Cole growled but Erin ignored him. So much for Evan not provoking, she thought wryly.
“Thanks for being so understanding,” she said, walking him to the door.
She waited until Evan had left before turning to face Cole. Hands behind her back, she leaned against the now-closed front door.
He stared back, his eyes warm, his lips almost turning upward in a smile. Not Cole’s normally deep, serious, unapproachable look. No, tonight it was Erin going for unapproachable, and she prayed she succeeded.
“Are we really going to do this awkward thing?” He gestured between them. “I mean, I can stand here and stare at you all night, but you’re supposed to be resting.”
She frowned. “How would you know?”