Dirty Deeds (Irresistible 3)

r reservation for Sunday. Hannah told me when I came in.”

Evie blinked. “Oh.” She stared at me. “And you’re not upset?”

I chewed on my lip, unsure of how to answer the question. I was upset that Dad had backed out of his fourth promise to visit the restaurant, but by now, I wasn’t really surprised. Looking up at Evie, I gave a shrug.

“I honestly knew this was going to happen the day my mom called and said ‘book that day, we’re coming.’ She wants to make it happen, but he doesn’t, and in the end she’ll always yield to him,” I said, making Evie furrow her brow. “But don’t be upset. I’m… slightly more at peace about this whole thing now.”

“Because of Emmett?”

“Maybe,” I admitted. “I just feel a little clearer in my head, if that makes sense. And I feel happy now in a way I don’t think I’ve… ever been? In my whole life?” I said unsurely, with a nervous laugh. “And it makes me kind of anxious because I feel like there’s gotta be a catch. But it feels way too good for me to stop, so I guess I’m just gonna ride the high till the other shoe drops.”

Evie gave me a funny face. I could tell she was on her way to grinning big, but the end of my spiel made her scrunch up her nose.

“Woman. There is no need to be that negative. Sometimes good things last,” she said. Then she rolled her eyes at herself. “I know I’m not the best person to sell that point because me and Mike are… whatever we are… but if I can tell you one thing for sure, it’s that I’ve never seen you smile as hard as you’ve smiled all day today.”

I bit back my lip.

“He’s definitely helping me relax and enjoy myself for once,” I said quietly. “Which is… still kind of weird to think about.”

It felt like I’d spent my entire life on edge – like every second was devoted to trying to prove myself or please someone. A lot of that was due to Emmett, too, so I’d never in a million years expect him to be the one responsible for finally teaching me to breathe. To just let myself live in the moment and actually have fun.

But that was the case, and I was starting to learn that sometimes, the unpredictable parts of life could in fact work in your way.

“Well, you know what I say?” Evie asked, putting a smirk on my lips as I heard the sound of her rolling her chair over to mine. “I say you deserve it,” she declared, throwing her arms over my shoulders. “And so do I.”

“What do you mean?” I snorted.

“I mean the application for or new liquor license got magically pushed through today,” she said as I gasped like it was Christmas morning. “And since I’m pretty sure it was your eight-pack-havin’ boyfriend who helped us out with that, I’m gonna tell you now to fuck him extra good tonight. As a thank you from us both.”

“Oh. My God, Evie,” I wrinkled my nose as she burst out laughing.

“Sorry. For that, I’ll finish closing on my own,” she said, grabbing my purse off the hook and tossing it onto my lap. “Now go shop with your man. He’s been waiting long enough for you.”

The store Emmett chose was the boutique two doors from Blue Harbor. I thought it was funny at first because I assumed he’d chosen the place out of convenience. Considering it was right next to his restaurant, I figured it was the only women’s store he knew.

But when I walked in, I realized it was more to do with it being fucking beautiful inside.

Holy crap, I thought as I stood by the door and took in the bright room filled with dresses that looked plucked from the runway. They hung illuminated from glass shelves that were flanked on each end by white pillars holding gorgeous floral arrangements that swept the floors.

And if that weren’t all charming enough, we were soon approached by a pixie-haired salesgirl who introduced herself as Rose before handing over two glasses of champagne.

“None for me, thank you,” Emmett said graciously before frowning down at his ringing phone. “But I’m sure my girlfriend wouldn’t mind taking my share.”

Both the salesgirl and I lifted our eyebrows at that one.

My girlfriend. I’d heard the g word from Evie and Hannah all day, but hearing it from Emmett’s mouth was an entirely different story. It had me feeling as bubbly as my drink as I watched Emmett excuse himself to take his call.

“So,” Rose grinned as we perused the racks of dresses. “I take it you’re the lucky one who stole him away from us?”

My eyebrows went up yet again.

“I’m sorry?”

“Oh, the shop girls and I – we go to Blue Harbor for drinks after our shifts. We usually see Emmett there with his friends most nights, but not so much the past few weeks,” she said, plucking a pink dress off the rack and squinting as she held it to my front. “Is it because he’s been staying home with you?” she asked with a little smirk.

“Oh.” My lashes fluttered. “Actually… maybe,” I said as I eyed Emmett across the room. I’d never considered the fact that he may have changed his habits or ever canceled plans for me, but from what Rose was saying, that may very well have been the case.

“Well then whatever you’re doing, keep doing it.” She draped the pink dress over her arm and plucked another off the rack. “Because that man’s definitely never liked a girl enough to stay home for her – or go shopping with her for that matter.”