The Idea of You (14 page)

“We also have a farmers' market,” Evan said, referring back to what they'd been talking about. Had he done that to redirect the conversation after he'd veered it off track? Or was it just another instance of him not always following the flow?

“And it is
amazing
,” Tori said. “Sean hasn't seen it either, since I, uh, was a giant bitch pretty much all of last year and he wasn't here.” She directed a sheepish look around the table and stroked Sean's arm.

Alaina looked at her in sympathy. “I'm sure it wasn't that bad. Besides, your brother died. That's more than enough reason to be whatever you have to be to make it through to the other side.” She fidgeted with the edge of her scarf, which was next to her thigh on the chair. “If there is another side.”

“There is, I think.” Tori smiled at her. “And thank you.”

“Nah, Tori was a raving lunatic.” Sean shook his head, but his eyes glinted with humor. “Batshit crazy, really. I nearly gave up.”

“Thank God you didn't.” Tori kissed his cheek. “Thank
you
.”

“You probably wouldn't have been such a trainwreck if I'd been here.” Evan sounded . . . upset. It was an inflection Alaina hadn't heard from him before.

Tori shook her head vigorously. “No, you don't. I did the guilt thing, and trust me—it ruins you. So ditch that right now. I'm glad you're here, but there's no telling what would've happened if you'd come home last year. Maybe I would've driven you away forever.” She smiled at him to show that she was at least half-kidding.

Evan nodded. “Sure.”

Alaina loved watching Evan interact with his family. Even when he was quiet, the love and care they showed for each other was palpable. As was her yearning for it.

Knock it off, Alaina. You are not an Archer, and you never will be.

Chloe showed up with their drinks and took their dinner order after they all scrambled to make a decision. Alaina opted for the grilled salmon with a salad and marinated steamed veggies.

A minute after Chloe left, an older gentleman with glasses delivered their hummus plate. Alaina tensed but bit her lip before she could ask why a stranger was serving them.

“Hi, kids,” he said. “Who's your friend?” He looked at Alaina with curiosity and a friendly smile . . . and nothing else, such as recognition. She forced herself to relax.

Tori gestured toward Alaina in introduction. “George, this is—”

“Lainie,” Alaina interjected. She held out her hand. “Pleased to meet you.”

“I'm George. I've known these kids forever—well, the Archers. And that Brit character's all right. He might be a better beer connoisseur than the entire Archer lot.”

Tori gasped, but it was obviously in jest. “That's sacrilege.”

George chuckled. He nodded toward Evan. “You here with Evan?” he asked Alaina.

“Uh—”

“She's a guest of the family,” Evan answered.

George nodded. “I see. Well, if you want the real dirt on them, come see me at the bar, Lainie.” He winked at her before disappearing behind the screen.

“Don't worry,” Tori said, accurately reading Alaina's thoughts. “George won't say a word. But just to be sure, I'll smooth things over. Is Lainie a nickname or just something you threw out? I guess you're pretty good at improvising on the fly.”

Sean laughed. “She
is
an Academy Award-winning actor.”

Tori rolled her eyes as she helped herself to pita bread and hummus. Everyone dove into the appetizer for a few minutes. They all agreed that Maggie was so lucky to be able to eat Kyle's food whenever she wanted, and Alaina mused that she wished her personal chef was half that talented. It was probably best she wasn't, since Alaina had to maintain a certain weight. Yet another reason it was maybe time to take a nice, long break. Counting calories and constant workouts were not things she would miss.

Tori sipped her beer. “That has to be the best job—acting. Did you always want to be an actress?”

“Yes, but I started out modeling. I was lucky enough to be born with excellent genes, and I'm not ashamed I used them to my advantage.” Which wasn't to say she hadn't worked her ass off when she'd arrived in LA.

“Good for you for never losing sight of your dream.” Sean toasted her with his pint glass.

“What about you, Tori?” Alaina asked. “Did you always want to be an architect?”

“No. I wanted to be president.” She laughed. “But after I was president of the sophomore class in high school, I changed my mind. Evan's like you—he knew he wanted to work with computers since middle school.”

Alaina, painfully aware of Evan's silence, looked at him to gauge his reaction—was he engaged? Yes, because he suddenly frowned. “Actually, in college I studied graphic design.”

“I know. You took some classes with Alex.” Tori's brows gathered. “It was great of you to provide support.”

“That wasn't what I was doing. I wanted to be a designer, too. I still do. Do you want to know why I really moved home? So that I could have Alex's job. I'm the new creative director for Archer Enterprises.”

Tori looked at him in confusion. “But you're a network administrator, not a designer.”

“Wrong. I never lost sight of my dream either, and unfortunately Alex's death has allowed me to go after it.”

E
VAN WATCHED THE
array of emotions on his sister's face, realizing he'd never interpret them all. He did get shock and then sadness, but that was pretty much it. “Did I upset you?”

He hadn't meant to, of course. He hadn't even meant to say anything about the job, but Alaina's advice from earlier had been pinging around in his head all afternoon and the entire time they'd been sitting here. Maybe it was the postcoital bliss still giving him a high, but he'd wanted to share this.

Sean put his arm around Tori and stroked her arm. “You okay?” he asked her softly.

She nodded. “I'm just . . . surprised. I had no idea that's what you wanted to do. Why didn't you tell anyone?”

“It was Alex's thing. I didn't want to take that away from him.” Evan kept his gaze fixed on the narrow space between Tori and Sean. “You're right that I first took a class to be there for him, but after that I was hooked. I just kept taking them with him.”

Tori rested her forearm on the edge of the table. “I don't understand you working for Archer. Derek said they hired a consulting firm. Do you work for this firm?”

“No. I created it to shield my name.”

“You lied. No, you actually deceived.” She shook her head and then smiled. “That's great.”

“Deception is great?” Alaina asked. “I'm so confused.”

“Sorry.” Tori didn't stop smiling. “It's just that Evan has never been able to lie very well. That he could concoct this scheme and keep it a secret is remarkable.”

“Well, I
didn't
keep it a secret. At least not for very long.”

“Long enough,” Tori said. “Or did you plan to never tell us?”

Evan shrugged, feeling a bit uncomfortable at putting himself so firmly in the spotlight. “I don't know. I hadn't really thought that far ahead. I just wanted to do this on my own. I wanted to be the right person for the job, not the beneficiary of nepotism.”

“I understand wanting to do that.” Sean raised his glass in a toast again. “Cheers.”

Everyone raised their glass, and Evan felt a rush of heat to his face. He never liked being the center of attention, even among his family. “It's not a big deal.”

Tori looked at him intently. “It is. Derek was telling me yesterday that Dad was thrilled with the new creative director, that it almost felt like having Alex back because the new guy understood the brand so well.” She reached across the table and laid her palm flat. He put his hand next to hers and she covered it. “Dad is going to be so happy that it's you.”

“After he's done being mad that I lied.”

“I don't think so. When will you tell him?”

Evan brought his hand back to his lap. “Tomorrow, I guess.”

“Don't wait. Take it from me: The longer you keep a secret from our family, the harder it is when you finally come clean.” She looked at Sean.

He smiled at her. “Or get outed.”

She laughed softly. “Whatever.”

Evan leaned toward Alaina. “Tori kept their marriage secret for a very long time and only fessed up after Sara overheard her and Sean talking about it. Her comment about coming clean is completely bogus.”

“I see.” She lowered her voice and angled her head toward his ear. “Why did you decide to tell them tonight?”

“I didn't, really. I just blurted it out. I do that sometimes, remember?” He darted his eyes toward her very briefly. She was so close—her exotic, spicy scent filled his senses—that he pulled his head back to prevent himself from kissing her. Blurting things out about a secret job was bad enough, but kissing her in front of his sister and Sean wasn't something he wanted to explain.

Because he couldn't. He liked her. A lot. He was having sex with her.
Not
a lot, but it could very well become that. Okay, maybe twice in less than twenty-four hours
was
a lot. Or at least more than he'd done with anyone else. Especially since they'd likely hook up again later.
Focus, Evan.

He
did
like her. She made him feel comfortable and . . . powerful. Yeah, she gave him a sense of confidence. Maybe that was why he'd spilled the beans. She'd made him feel safe and strong enough to say it.

No one but his family had ever influenced him like that before.

Tori's voice jarred him back into the here and now. “What happened to your consulting business with networks and website management?”

“I don't do that anymore. I sold the business to a colleague.” He ate some pita bread and hummus, hoping the conversation might turn if he had food in his mouth. He didn't want to be the center of the discussion any longer.

Tori beamed at him. “I am so excited for you, Evan.”

He swallowed, appreciating her support yet simultaneously bothered. He suspected it wasn't her, however. His mental revelations about Alaina were distracting him. Thankfully their dinner arrived, and the subject was left behind.

While they ate, Tori asked Sean and Alaina about their producing plans. Aside from the show about Kyle and his restaurant, they planned to do a short series—maybe five episodes—about The Alex. They were also considering producing a comedy series and were talking to a writer who'd given them a pilot they found promising. Evan zoned out for a bit, which he did from time to time when there was a conversation he didn't feel as though he could contribute much to.

As the meal wound down, Alaina asked, “I don't suppose there's a private bathroom?” Her cheeks turned a pale, pretty shade of pink. “Sorry, I hate to sound like a pretentious brat.”

“You are not pretentious or a brat,” Tori said. “I totally understand, and yes we have a bathroom in the basement you could use. I can take you down.”

“Actually, I need to grab something from there,” Sean said. “I mentioned to Kyle that we were coming tonight, and he asked if I could pick up a box of old cookbooks he stashed.”

Tori turned to Sean. “Take her through this side door to the kitchen instead of around to the corridor.”

“Yep, that was my plan.” Sean stood up and winked at Alaina. “I am happy to be your security guard.”

“I usually hire beefier guys, but I guess you'll do.” She flashed a smile at Evan before she took off with Sean.

Evan finished his beer and had barely set the empty pint glass on the table when Tori asked, “Are you dating Alaina?”

He normally appreciated direct questions, since that's the way he communicated. However, in this case, he didn't really want to answer, so he found it inconvenient, to say the least. “Uh, not really.”

“What does that mean? It's a yes-or-no question.”

“No?”

“You had dinner with her after she got here, right? You set up a wine tasting for her, right? You spent today with her, right?”

And had mind-blowing sex with her. Twice. “Yeah, so?”

“So, she's clearly showered since I saw her earlier today. And you”—she leaned over the table and sniffed—“you showered, too.”

“Okay, Sherlock, you caught us.
We wanted to be clean
.”

Tori blew out a breath. “I'm not trying to be nosy.” He arched a brow at her. “Okay, I'm actually being nosy.” She laughed. “But only because I love you. I really like Alaina, but she's, you know . . . ”

“The world's most famous actress?”

“Yes. And anyway, didn't you just break off a long-term relationship?”

“That wasn't a relationship.” He looked his sister in the eye. “I appreciate your concern, but you really need to let me live my life.”

She settled back in her chair. “I wasn't trying to meddle, sorry. I think it would be cool if you dated her. She seems great, and you seem really comfortable around her.”

He was. Since Tori had—accurately—mentioned the shower, his mind had turned to Alaina's body. They'd jumped in the shower together and hadn't been able to stop from fooling around. But in order to get here on time, they'd put the brakes on. He was suddenly anxious to throw things back into drive and go full speed ahead.

Sean and Alaina returned, and they all decided they were too full for dessert. Chloe brought the tab, which Alaina immediately snatched up. “I've got this. It's my thank-you for making me feel so welcome.” She put a card into the leather folder and handed it to Chloe. “Thank you so much for tonight.”

Chloe smiled. “My pleasure. I'm looking forward to showing you my sketches for The Arch and Fox.”

“I can't wait.”

They chatted about the restaurant while they waited for Chloe to come back. Evan only half-listened, as his mind was currently imagining Alaina doing another sexy striptease.

Chloe returned with Alaina's card, and after she signed the tab, they all stood. Alaina gave Chloe a fast hug before wrapping her scarf around her face. After shrugging into his coat, Evan helped Alaina into hers.

Sean came around the table and kissed the tiny bit of Alaina's cheek that was exposed. “Thank you for dinner.”

Tori hugged her next. “Yes, thank you.” Then she hugged Evan. “I'll see you tomorrow. Love you.”

“Love you, too,” he said. “Night, Sean.”

“Night.” He set his hand against Tori's lower back as they stepped around the screen.

Alaina pulled her gloves on. “That was fun.”

While she was piling more clothes on, Evan was still stuck taking her clothes off in his head. “Ready?” The word came out low and a bit raspy. He couldn't wait to get back to the apartment.

He took her hand and led her from the restaurant, waving at George as they walked by the bar.

“Have a good night, kids!” he called.

As soon as they stepped outside, icy wind bit through his coat. The temperature had really dropped.

Alaina shivered. “Brrr.”

He dropped her hand and pulled her close, putting his arm around her shoulders.

“Will it snow?” she asked, snuggling against him as they hurried across the street.

“No. It doesn't snow here terribly often, unfortunately, and not usually this late in February. Not that it doesn't happen, but it's not in the forecast.”

“Bummer. I bet the town is gorgeous with a coating of white.”

“It is. We had a white Christmas maybe seven or eight years ago. It was fantastic.” He stopped abruptly in front of The Knitty Gritty and pulled her tight to his chest. He'd planned to kiss her, but the scarf was in the way. He reached up and inched it down to reveal her mouth, then pressed his lips to hers. “I couldn't wait another second.”

Her lips spread into a sexy grin. “I'm glad you didn't.” She glanced around them. “I didn't look to see if Sean and Tori were around.”

“I don't think so, but I don't know, maybe they are. Tori asked if we were dating and demonstrated she's not above amateur sleuthing to figure it out.”

Alaina's brow furrowed. “What does that mean?”

“She deduced that we'd both showered since she saw us earlier today.”

Alaina laughed, her hazel eyes sparkling in the lamplight. “Oh, damn. Come on, let's get to the car.” She turned, and he held her close again as they strode down the sidewalk.

“What did you say to her?” she asked.

“I said we weren't dating. She pointed out that we've spent a lot of time together, and I have to admit her list sounded like a bunch of dates.” He pulled his keys from his pocket and pressed the fob to unlock the car. “I wish I had one of those remote starters. Then the car would be warm.”

He went to open her door, but she shook her head and said, “I have an idea. Get the heat blasting, then join me in the backseat.”

She climbed into the back while he circled to the driver's side. He didn't start the car, but he turned on the electrical so he could get the heat going. Then he slipped into the backseat beside her. “What's your idea?”

“First, I think we
are
kind of dating. Don't you?”

He couldn't see her face very well. The nearest streetlamp was half a block away, and the windows were fogging up pretty fast. “Um, sure?”

“I'm good calling it that, if you are. Just so long as you know I can't promise anything long-term. My life is just too ridiculous.”

Dating without expectations . . . That was pretty much perfect for him. It was why his thing with Michelle had worked out, though he never would've characterized it as dating. They'd never gone anywhere. “Your life
is
completely ridiculous. I'm fine with the here and now.”

“Good, because I have a plan for right here and right now.” She turned and straddled his lap, her inner thighs pressing against his outer thighs.

“Seriously? It's freezing.”

She pulled her gloves off and set them on the seat. “Are you cold?”

He had been, but the heat was warming up the car and she was warming his body. He slipped his hands up under the hem of her coat and clasped her waist. She was already grinding against his thoroughly hardened cock, but he pulled her down nonetheless as he thrust up.

She moaned just before she cradled his head and kissed him. She lifted her body as her tongue plunged into his mouth. He speared his fingers into her hips and kissed her back, licking and sucking as need spiraled through him.

She unzipped her coat and then his. Spreading the two sides of his open, she pressed her breasts against his chest. He moved his hands up her rib cage to cradle the soft globes. She wore a top that crisscrossed in the front—it was called a wrap shirt or something. The style only accentuated her magnificent breasts, and he wondered if they'd be as accessible in this shirt as they looked.

He slipped a hand into her cleavage, and sure enough, the fabric parted to reveal her black bra—he could picture it because he'd seen her in it earlier, before she'd put the shirt on over it. He cupped her through the garment, kneading her.