Wishing for the Girl Next Door (Piney Brook Wishes Book 3)

18. Evan

I’m just climbing into bed when I hear my phone ringing in the other room. Groaning, I get up and rush to grab it. Tracey’s number flashes across the screen, so I swipe to answer.

“Hey, sis, what’s up?”

“You sound happy,” Tracey says instead of a greeting. “Did you have a nice time on your date?”

I laugh. Of course she’d ask. “Yep.” No sense denying it.

“Good for you,” Tracey says, sounding genuinely happy for me. “Details?”

“Not tonight,” I say, smiling at her enthusiasm. “It’s late, and I have to work in the morning.”

“All right, fine.” She huffs playfully. “Listen, I hate to ask, but can I use your washer and dryer in the morning? Ours is on the fritz, and we need clean clothes.”

“Sure, help yourself.” I head to the washer and dryer to make sure they’re empty for her.

“Can I pop over and say hi to Karlee?”

I chuckle. “Can’t wait, huh?”

“No, I’m too excited.” She laughs. “I promise I’ll be good. I won’t even tell her any embarrassing stories about you.”

“Thanks, sis. She works nights, and sleeps during the day. If you see her in the hall, you can introduce yourself, but don’t wake her up, okay?”

“Fine,” Tracey says, sighing. “I won’t wake her up. Thanks for letting me use your stuff.”

“No problem,” I say, meaning it. That’s what family’s for. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

We end the call, and I fall into bed, my mind already on Karlee, and how she’s doing at work. I can’t remember a time I felt so content. Karlee fit right in with my friends, and I know my family will love her. Our date went even better than I expected. I wonder what we can do for our second date.

“What are you smiling about over there?” Daniel calls from across the shop. “Care to share with the class?”

I laugh. “Sure, I’ll share with you as soon as you tell me what Elli was really going to say the other night at dinner.” I give him a knowing look.

“Oh, shoot. May as well get Brant.”

I grin. This is going to be good.

A few minutes later, we are all in Daniel’s bay, waiting for him to gather his thoughts.

“So, as Evan mentioned, Elli almost let something big slip at dinner Sunday.” He walks to his toolbox, unlocks the top drawer and digs something out. He comes to stand in front of us and pops open the lid to the small box.

“Congratulations!” Brant and I say at the same time.

“When are you popping the question?”

“I’m planning to rent the lake house again for Labor Day. I want to invite our families to stay with us for the weekend, but I’d love it if you guys could make it up on Saturday and surprise her when I pop the question.”

I hesitate. I’d been hoping to set the routine of having an early dinner with Karlee before her shift on the weekends.

“It would mean a lot to her if we had our framily there.” He grins.

“Framily?” Brant asks. “What the heck is that?”

“Friends who are family. Elli made it up, and I thought it fit.” Daniel shrugs. “Can you make it?”

“Of course,” I say, patting him on the shoulder. “I don’t know if Karlee can make it with work, but I’ll be there.”

“We’ll be there too,” Brant says. “I’ll have to figure out a way to keep Morgan from giving it away, though. Maybe I’ll tell her I’m planning a surprise getaway for us that weekend.” He laughs. “She’ll be too excited to keep this secret for very long.”

“Thanks, Brant.” Daniel puts the ring box back in the drawer and locks it.

“I guess that just leaves you,” Brant says, pointing a finger in my direction.

“Leaves me what?” I ask, holding my hands in front of my body in defense.

Daniel laughs. “You’re the only one not engaged. Yet.”

I shake my head. “Too soon,” I say, laughing. “Karlee and I aren’t old like you two. We have time.”

Brant throws a rag in my direction and Daniel scoffs.

“Get back to work, kid.”

I head back over to my bay and finish draining the oil from the older sedan. Twenty-six is still young, right? There’s no rush to get married. Though, now that they’ve put it out there, I can’t help imagining my ring on Karlee’s finger. I wonder if she’d want something unique, or the standard princess cut diamond engagement ring?

I’ve just finished putting oil into the car I’m working on when my phone rings. Wiping my hands on a clean cloth, I grab the phone and hit answer when I see my sister’s name on the caller ID.

“Hey, Tracey. Did you get your laundry done?”

“I did. Where do you want me to leave your key?”

“Just hold on to it. I’ll get it when I see you next time,” I say. “Did you meet Karlee?”

Tracey sighs. “No, I guess I’ll have to wait.”

I laugh. “I’m sure it won’t be too long.”

“All right,” she says. “I hope not.”

“Listen, I’ve got to go. I need to get back to work.” Though, now I’m imagining Karlee at my parents’ house, laughing and playing with Brody and Emilia. I smile. I can’t wait for her to meet my family.

Tracey and I say our goodbyes and hang up after I promise to ask Karlee to the next family dinner.

By the time I get home that afternoon, Karlee’s car is already gone. Disappointment sits heavy on my chest. I’d hoped to spend a few minutes with her before she went to work. I decide to send her a text.

Evan:Hey, sunshine, I hope you have a great night at work. I’m sorry I missed you this evening. I can’t wait to see you again.

Maybe I’ll take her some flowers at work after dinner. Women like that, right?

When I walk up the stairs, I’m surprised to find Heath sitting on my doorstep. “Hey man, what are you doing here?”

Heath looks up at me sadly. “I was hoping you were free tonight.” He stands and leans against the wall while I open the door.

“I am,” I say, stepping inside and taking off my work boots. “You okay?”

Heath shrugs. “It’s been a long day. Do you mind if I just hang out here for a while? I need to get out of the house.”

“No problem. Want a Coke or a glass of water?” I reach in the fridge and grab myself a Coke.

“Coke’s fine. Thanks.”

I grab him a can of Coke as well and head to the living room. Handing him a can, I set mine down on the coffee table and gesture to my clothes. “I’m going to change out of these. I’ll be right back.”

He nods, and cracks open his can. “All right.”

It looks like taking Karlee flowers is off the table. I grab my phone and check for any missed messages. I feel like a schoolboy with his first crush as much as I check my phone hoping to hear from her.

I shake my head and pull on a pair of basketball shorts and a t-shirt.

“Okay, that’s better,” I say, walking back into the living room. I sit down on the couch and open my drink. “So, what’s up?”

Heath looks everywhere but at me. “I tried to talk to her today.”

“Who?” I ask, but I suspect I already know.

“Gabby.”

“Why today?” I ask, wondering why, after avoiding her for the past few months, he’d decided to try again. I take a sip of my drink, giving him some time to gather his thoughts.

“I don’t know, man. All this stuff with Mom... It makes me realize life’s short, you know.”

I nod my head. “I can see that.”

“She didn’t want to talk to me. I really messed up.” He looks at me. “How do I fix it?”

I bark out a laugh. “Dude, I have no idea. Until recently, I had no interest in relationships, remember?”

Heath sits back, pressing deep into the cushions. “Relationships are hard.”

“Relationships are work,” I say. “But if you’re with the right person, are they still hard?”

Heath looks at me for a long moment. “The right person, huh?”

I hesitate. I know something happened between him and Gabby, and he’s obviously hurting, but he’s also my friend. “Yeah, I think she might be.”

He nods. “Happiness looks good on you.”

“So,” I say, trying to change the subject. “What are you going to do now?”

Heath takes a drink of his Coke before answering. “I’m not sure.”

“Do you think she’s your person?” I ask.

“Maybe,” Heath says. “I thought she was, but now she won’t even talk to me.”

We sit quietly for a minute, both lost in thought before Heath stands. “I’m going to go,” he says. “Mom has an early appointment, and I need some rest.”

I walk him to the door and lock it behind him when he leaves, thoughts of Karlee running on a loop through my mind. It may be too soon, but I’m falling for her anyway.

I’m up before my alarm goes off. I missed Karlee last night, but I’m hoping to catch her when she gets home this morning. I dreamt of her soft kisses and sweet smile last night. Yeah, I’ve got it bad.

I’m pacing near the front door, waiting to hear her come up the steps. Mittens eyes me from his spot on the couch, hissing every time I walk by. Sorry, kitty, I’m too excited to sit down. I glance at the clock. Seven forty-five. She should have been home ages ago. Opening the blinds, I take a look in the parking lot. Her car is there. How did I miss her coming home?

I glance at the time on my phone. I have to leave or I’ll be late, and I have a big job coming in today. Rushing back to my apartment, I find a pen and a sticky note. Scribbling a message, I grab my keys and head out. I stick the note to her door and hope it doesn’t fly away. I’m feeling like she’s avoiding me, but that can’t be right.

I start the truck and turn on the radio. It’s still set to Karlee’s favorite station. The first song we danced to up at the lookout is playing, making my heart skip a beat. I rub my hand over my heart. Thoughts of dancing with her at our wedding one day send a warm fuzzy feeling through my chest. I never thought I’d want to get married after things ended so badly with Louise, but Karlee makes me want it all.