Evin's Fight (Southern Charmers 3)

No one argued, even though we knew the truth. This was working out. Andrew loves the crazy, outspoken, wildly unapologetic Ryanne just as she is. Unlike the men that came before him, he’s not interested in changing her. He wants to enjoy that every day. It took less than three weeks in Charleston and she was ready to put her house on the market.

I waited until we knew Poppy’s fate. Once she had the details secured, the house sold in less than four days. Ryanne signs the papers on Tuesday.

It worked out well that everyone is here at the right time. We’ll load the U-Haul tomorrow night once the house is packed. Dozer and Austin will start the trek to Charleston on Monday. Janie will fly back with the rest of the family. Ryanne and Andrew will drive her car after she closes on Tuesday. And that leaves Poppy and me living back in the Bellagio until her job is done.

“The entertainment has arrived,” Marco announces.

My attention is drawn to the side where Isaac saunters in, wearing a custom-made suit and his million-dollar smile. He goes to Grady, shaking his hand and is immediately assaulted by Cole.

“Traitor,” I grumble.

“You invited him,” Pierce counters, not hiding his grin.

“Poppy invited him.”

“Poppy has a soft spot for him,” Marco goads, and my eyes cut to him.

“I don’t get the animosity. I thought it was all water under the bridge-type stuff. Isaac turned out to be a good guy. Why the raging bull?” Darby’s question is aimed at me, but it’s Pierce who answers.

“Baby, the man may have redeemed himself with his screw-up, but he still dated Poppy.”

“So what? We know what didn’t happen there.”

Pierce’s eyes shift back and forth, and then his chin tilts in silent communication. She catches on and her jaw drops.

“You hold a grudge because he was her boyfriend?”

She gets it. The man touched her, held her, slept in the same bed with the woman who fucking owns me.

“Yes,” I answer unapologetically.

“Are you kidding? That’s the most hypocritical and ludicrous thinking. It’s like saying Tommy Ashes, who I dated my senior year and spent prom night with is a threat.”

An icy chill settles in the air, Pierce’s face a mask of stone. He takes her martini, sets it on the table, and grabs her hand. “Excuse us.”

She points at me. “I’m not done with you. After I deal with my overbearing husband, you’re next.”

He hauls her away, and Marco chuckles at their departure.

“Never a dull moment with your family.”

I nod in agreement. He doesn’t know how right he is.

Chapter 42

Poppy

I stare into the dim and empty theatre, digging through memories. It seems like a lifetime since I stood in this same spot, doing the same thing, all those years ago. That girl with such big dreams and aspirations is barely recognizable in my brain.

The excitement and sense of accomplishment remain, but tonight is different. The excitement is about what lies ahead.

My eyes are on the VIP section where, an hour ago, people that mean so much screamed and cheered as I gave my final bow on this stage.

Scottie and that outfit—there was no way to miss him.

The unashamed shine in Marco’s eyes visible from this far.

The girls screaming their heads off. Annie and Lynda hugging and crying.

Isaac Blake with the men, smiling down with approval.

And Evin, front and center, his arms crossed, eyes locked to me, beaming. Pride, acceptance, adoration all filled me inside, and I know my instincts are leading me in the right direction again.

A prickle tingles the back of my neck, and I twist to find Dante waiting quietly. “You ready, Pips?”

“You didn’t have to wait for me.”

“We walked in together, we walk out together.”

A lump lodges in my throat at that memory, and my fingers go to the tattoo on my hip.

“With me this time.” Ryanne steps around him. The faint splotches on her cheeks that tell me she’s been crying.

“Ryanne—”

She throws a hand in the air. “Stop right there. I just calmed down. It took me an hour to do my makeup and you ruined it in three minutes. My false eyelashes came off on Andrew's shoulder, and the perfectly crafted smoky eye was more like a horror movie queen.”

“Sounds tragic.”

“It was mortifying.”

“You did an outstanding job on recovery.”

“That’s because I’ve been at your dressing table doing damage control while you’ve been reflecting.”

At the word reflecting, my attention goes to the enormous water feature that is the highlight of the stage. “Dante, do you remember the first time we both aerial-dove into the pool from the platform?”

“I remember like it was yesterday.”

“I have that same excitement and adrenaline. The uncertainty, the anticipation, the fear… all of it. Last time, the water was my safety net; this time, it’s Evin.”

“I love that for you, Pops, but you don’t need anyone else. You’ve always been your own safety net.”