The Boyfriend Experience (The Boyfriend Experience 1)

“Couldn’t agree more,” Eric chimed in, truly enjoying Lauren’s refreshing personality, even if she did embarrass Evie, which he found adorable. “Followed by a well-balanced breakfast, of course, to replace all the calories that were burned.” He rubbed his stomach.

Beside him, Evie groaned beneath her breath.

“That’s true.” Lauren nodded in agreement. “You’ve got a canoe race to attend, and you’re going to need to build that energy and stamina back up if you two want to win.”

He grinned at Evie’s mom. “Yes, ma’am. Energy and stamina. Got it.”

Lauren shifted her gaze back to Evie, her expression suddenly serious. “Honey, if you haven’t already figured it out, this one’s a keeper. Not nearly as uptight as you-know-who,” she added out of the side of her mouth.

Eric was still holding Evie’s hand, and he felt her tense as she surreptitiously glanced around the room, obviously looking for Graham and Raquel, the two people she probably dreaded seeing the most.

“Are they here yet?” The barest hint of anxiety touched her voice.

“They checked in last night but I haven’t seen them for breakfast yet,” her mother said. “But we still have another forty minutes before they clear the buffet. Why don’t you introduce Eric around real quick so everyone knows who he is, and then get something to eat.”

Evie nodded and directed him toward her dad, who was drinking a cup of coffee and standing with a small group of people close to his own age. As soon as Gene saw Evie, his eyes lit up, happy to have his daughter near for the weekend, and he drew her close to his side in a warm, affectionate hug.

“Morning, Dad,” she said, smiling at her father.

“Hey, baby girl.” He kissed her temple and shifted his gaze over her head to Eric. “Son,” he added with a welcoming, l-like-you kind of nod.

“Morning, sir,” he replied.

Evie started in on the introductions, giving him the boyfriend label he’d been hired to play. There was a whirlwind of aunts and uncles and cousins and their kids, all on Evie’s father’s side of the family, not that he was going to remember anyone’s name, so he just nodded and smiled. Evie made the rounds with obligatory hugs, and he followed right behind her with handshakes and it’s a pleasure to meet you.

Just when he thought they were done and they were going to head toward the buffet because he was freaking starved, an older gentleman walked into the room, and the transformation on Evie’s face was a beautiful thing to behold—a huge smile, happiness, and unconditional love all wrapped up in an elated expression.

“Grandpa!” she called out, and raced toward the man from across the room, nearly crashing into him with the force of the hug she wrapped around him. “Oh my God. I’ve missed you so much!”

The older man laughed as he embraced her in return, the love between them evident. “I’ve missed you, too.” He released her and smiled. “And I know you told me the news over the phone, but I can’t tell you how proud I am of your nomination for the Humanitarian Award. I knew you would do amazing things in San Diego.”

“Thanks to you,” she said, her voice grateful, reminding Eric of how her grandfather had given her the money to start her business. “You know I couldn’t have done it without your help.”

He made a dismissive gesture with his hand, as if it was nothing, and turned toward Eric. Her grandfather gave him a shrewd once-over, clearly checking to make sure he was good enough for his granddaughter. “And you must be Eric,” he said.

He assumed that Evie had told her grandfather about him . . . well, the ex-Eric anyway. “Yes, sir. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Evie speaks very highly of you. It’s clear she adores you.”

Her grandfather chucked Evie gently beneath the chin, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. “I feel the same way about her.” He glanced over to the coffee station. “I need a double shot of caffeine if I’m going to be at the top of my game for everything Lauren has planned today. I’ll talk to you two more later.”

“Sounds good,” Eric said, thinking they’d follow Evie’s grandfather in the same direction for food and drink before his stomach went on strike from being so damn hungry.

“Sissy!”

The word was yelled from somewhere behind Eric, and he glanced over his shoulder just in time to see a good-looking guy, who was wearing pastel plaid shorts and a neon pink tank top, heading straight toward Evie. The dark-haired giant picked her up in his arms and spun her around, while she gave him a mock insufferable look that made Eric curious to find out who the younger man was.

Finally, the grinning guy set her back down on her feet and Evie scowled at him. “You know how much I hate it when you call me Sissy.”