A Prior Engagement (21 page)

William and Evie arrived at Bean There at 2:00 p.m. to form their game plan for the trip to the main Boston library the next day. He had complimented her on how beautiful she looked and felt underdressed in comparison.

Tracy served their usual coffee, pausing a moment to watch the couple up close. “School work or social visit today?” she asked.

“Both,” William said followed by a smile in Evie’s direction.

“You’re all dressed up and your ring.” The barista smiled, though Evie felt no warmth behind it. “Wow. Just wow!”

“Thank you.” Evie’s response was polite, but short and her tone left no opening for further discussion as she glanced at William who was carrying their coffees to the table. She needed to talk to him. Maybe tomorrow on their trip, she could. For now, she just wanted to enjoy this feeling they were sharing.

Guilt started to shroud her thoughts as William bumped his chair up against Evie’s and pointed to her laptop. “Boston is over three hours by train.”

“Everything is due on Friday. I think this is our only hope if we’re going to figure this out before the deadline.”

“Let’s buy tickets.” Evie searched the train schedule and zeroed in on the early commuter times. “How about six? Can you meet at six or too early?”

William tapped her on her scrunched up nose, and said, “We can sleep on the train. Six is good. We’ll get to the library by ten.”

“If we catch the four o’clock train back we can be back home by eight?”

“Sounds good.”

She logged onto the purchase tickets page and then offered, “I’ll buy the tickets and you buy lunch?”

He saw the price glaring back at him on the screen and agreed. “Deal.” Disappointed he couldn’t contribute more, he leaned in and whispered, “Thank you… again.”

His breath on her neck, made her own catch and she closed her eyes. Remembering the feel of his lips, she knew she couldn’t resist him. She didn’t want to resist him anymore either, and opened her eyes. “You’re welcome, but actually, I’m kind of doing this for selfish reasons.”

“Oh?”

“It guarantees more time with you all to myself.”

“Well, I thought as much Miss Wright, but I didn’t want to embarrass you by pointing it out.” He smiled at her while moving closer. Her heart beat faster and she reached down and took his hand, their fingers folding together.

Sharing a small smile, their eyes met and held the gaze of the other before she looked away, returning her attention to their research. He kissed her on the cheek before focusing back on the work they needed to get done.

A few hours later, Evie walked into the lobby feeling on top of the world. She went to her room and sat down at the window seat, watching life below and reliving every moment of her day with William. In a spontaneous moment, she decided to go to her special place around the corner and texted William to join her. Minutes, hours, days didn’t seem to be enough time with him.

She left the building, waving to Walter and walked to the park.

What she didn’t know is that Audrey had enlisted Walter in an undercover, covert operation. Audrey wanted her sister to be happy and knew the doorman, who had always treated them well, also cared. With too much time on her hands and a wild imagination, Audrey set up a sting operation. Walter dialed Audrey to let her know Everleigh, aka Lark, had flown the coop.

Audrey, aka Blue Jay, was on the hunt tracking Lark’s every move. To her surprise though, she was following her to a park near their home. Annoyed by the lack of excitement and boringness of her older sister’s adventure, she felt disappointed. But as she rounded the corner, she stopped in her tracks, jumping back behind the building for cover. She blinked repeatedly, not believing her eyes.

William rode his bike into the nearly deserted section of the park and spotted Evie right away. “Hi, pretty girl. You know New York City parks around dark aren’t the safest place to be or didn’t your daddy ever warn you about that?”

Evie turned and smiled. “No, I was never warned because I never went out alone growing up. Sheltered life, remember?” she said, shrugging.

“Well, I don’t want you hanging out here alone after dark, Evie. Okay?” William protectively leaned forward as he scanned the park.

“Yes, sir.” She was playing with him, but she really did like his caring nature.

“You look beautiful tonight.” William took her hand and kissed the top of it. He immediately noticed the ring she was wearing again today. She was dressed more casually, and it stood out. “Wow! I hope that’s not real or you really might have been in danger out here.”

Evie laughed, but it was awkward. Having him this close to something that represented a whole other life, another world, something she would end soon to be with the man who was now kissing the palm of her hand, unnerved her.

Sitting on a park bench, they chatted about everything and nothing, content being near each other as the sun set.

They strolled along, holding hands, as the streetlamps flickered on, lighting the path. Ducking under a large Oak, William pulled her to the trunk. He wanted to kiss her—long and deep. He wanted to connect with her and take their relationship to the next level. He wanted her, he wanted everything with her.

When he leaned back on the tree trunk, she leaned forward against him, chest to chest, her body against his. They looked at each other, the step they were about to take feeling forbidden, but both willing participants.

He pulled her in for a passionate kiss. It was gentle, almost delicate at first. But when his hands slid over her shoulders and up her neck to cup her face, she gave into everything she desired. Grabbing his shoulders, she lifted higher up on her feet, kissing him with just as much passion.

Their kiss became eager and then with her hands on his chest she stopped it. They immediately looked away from each other knowing if they weren’t careful this could turn inappropriate for a public place.

She glanced down before looking back at him. “You make me forget myself. You make me forget all my problems.”

“And that’s a bad thing?” His lids were heavier than before. He was drowsy with love for this girl.

“It’s a great thing, but they’re problems that can’t be easily solved.”

“You want to share them with me? I’m happy to—”

“No, I can’t, not yet.” Evie looked away again, upset at herself that she let their feelings develop to this point. “It’s not something you can help me with.”

William snuggled around her, still protecting her under the tree in the park which was cemented as his new favorite place in the world.

Audrey went back to the apartment and while she was lost in her own thoughts of what she had witnessed, Walter asked, “Any luck, Blue Jay?”

She did a half nod mixed with a small shake, which confused Walter. “You lost Lark?”

The funny nickname brought her back to the present and she smiled while leaning on his desk. “No, I found her, but I also might have found out more than I maybe wanted to know.” She let out a sigh, not sure what to make of this new information. Suddenly, she felt like she was carrying her sister’s burden. “How can something that makes her so happy be a burden?”

Walter responded with logic. “It can’t.”

Audrey looked at his kind eyes and perked up. “You’re right. You are absolutely right.” She moved to the elevators, and said, “Thanks, Walter. Have a good night.”

“Good night, Blue Jay.”

William wanted to walk Evie home, but she stopped at the corner, tugging him by the belt loops into the shadows close to the stone wall. He leaned forward, pinning her there. She loved this feeling and kissed his mouth, which she found ready to meet hers. They spent minutes like this, occasionally feeling the need for air.

Walter had gotten some fresh air, standing under the awning when he spotted the young couple. He backed toward the door then went inside to give them privacy.

Evie gave William three quick kisses on his nose, mouth, and chin then said, “I should go in.”

William’s hands tightened on her hips as if he could hold her there. Leaning his forehead against hers, he closed his eyes, and savored the moment. “I don’t want you to.”

“I don’t want to either, but I have to.”

“One day, I hope you let me in here.” He tapped her head softly, and said, “And let me help you with all of those unsolvable problems. One day, I don’t want us to have to say goodnight on the sidewalk. One day.”

“One day.” She murmured with her lips pressed to his neck. “But for now, goodnight, William Ryder.”

“Goodnight, Evie Wright, until the morrow.”

She slipped out of his grasp and went inside, smiling at Walter as she walked to the elevator.

William passed the entrance and gave a polite nod to Walter.

Walter gestured back with a wave, realizing what Audrey had seen. He felt sick thinking about the harsh repercussions Everleigh would endure because of this illicit affair once her monster of a fiancé found out. One thing he was positive of was that Tom Whitney would not find out from him. He would protect her if he could.

Chapter 18

Four-thirty came too soon. Evie was tired and in a haze as she got dressed, pulling on fitted cotton capris and a blouse, slipping her ballet-style flats on, and putting on her jewelry, including her ring, without any thought to the matter.

Before the train left the station, William produced two travel pillows and adjusted one around Evie’s neck for comfort. They had opted not to have any coffee this morning, wanting to sleep instead. Snuggling the best they could while sitting side-by-side, they closed their eyes. Boston greeted them with heavy rain and Evie pulled her umbrella out of her backpack. “We can share.”

William took the umbrella, holding it more over her than himself as they rushed the four blocks to the McKim building which housed rare and historical books.

“That wasn’t so bad,” she said as they wiped their feet at the library’s entrance.

He took hold of her hand. “But this is better.”

As they approached the large information desk in the main city library, both of their stomachs filled with butterflies. Evie placed her hand on her belly, and asked, “Why am I nervous?”

Taking a deep breath first, William slowly released it along with his nerves before answering. “I feel like this is the defining moment on this project.” He took her hand in his, and with confidence led her to the counter to speak to the clerk. “We have a ten-thirty appointment in the Rare Books Department.”

Three hours later, they had a definitive answer for the Kyd stories. One was authentic and the other falsified. They exhaled their relief and both relaxed, sinking into their chairs. Evie giggled. “It feels good, right?”

William chuckled. “So good.” Leaning his head back, he closed his eyes. “I can’t wait to present our findings on Friday.”

“Well, we have just the minor detail of finishing the report for that to happen first.”

“Very minor, my dear, very minor detail indeed.” He popped his head up with eyes open then said, “Let’s go celebrate.” He stood up, pulling his jacket back on and throwing their work into the shared backpack he was carrying today. When they ran out the front doors of the library, they got drenched, though they were too happy to care.

They ran to a nearby diner and fell into a booth by the window. After ordering two sodas and burgers, Evie looked across the table into William’s eyes, feeling wistful. “No one’s ever made me feel as vulnerable as you do.”

William’s expression softened to hold her gaze even though confusion shot across his face. “I don’t want you to feel vulnerable. I want you to feel safe when we’re together.” His saddened tone seeped through his words, hurting her heart.

She was quick in correcting what she meant by standing and sliding in next to him in the booth, taking his hand in hers and kissing his knuckles. “No, you misunderstood what I was saying. I feel exposed in a good way. Being with you.” Pausing, she looked away from him to the tabletop, and said, “I can be me.” She fumbled through her words. “I’m not used to feeling like myself. I’m numb to life most of the time, most every day, but with you . . . I feel alive. You make me want to be present in my own life again. You make me excited for the future.” She mustered the courage to look at him and he reversed their hands so he was now holding hers. “You like the real me and you make
me
like the real me.” She leaned over and kissed him on the lips just because she wanted to.