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

20. Evan

Seeing Karlee tonight, confirmed the feeling she’d been avoiding me. I don’t know whether to be upset or give her some grace. I know she’s been through a lot, and that she was hurt when Patrick cheated on her, but I’ve done nothing to give her the impression I’d do the same. Or at least, I don’t think so.

“Thanks for coming,” Tracey says, holding Brody close to her chest. “He really scared me this time.”

I lean in and give them both a hug. “I’ll always be here for you guys.”

“She’s lovely,” Tracey says softly. “I can see why you love her.”

“What?” I ask, stunned that my sister has picked up on how I’m feeling.

Tracey grins. “Don’t wait too long to let her know how you feel.”

Lawrence pulls the minivan to the loading area and opens the door. “Thanks for waiting with them,” he says, coming around to help buckle Brody in.

“Where’d you park your car?” I ask Lawrence, looking around.

“I didn’t. Your mom dropped me off at the front when I took Emilia to her. That way, we didn’t have two cars here.”

“Smart.” I lean into the car and give Brody a gentle kiss on his forehead. “I love you, little man. Bros day soon, okay?”

Brody nods and settles into the seat.

I watch them pull away and sigh. That kid definitely keeps us all on our toes.

The next morning, I’m sitting outside my apartment door waiting for Karlee to come home. I’ve already texted Brant to let him know I’ll be taking the day off. I’ve missed her.

When I hear a car door close in the parking lot, my heart quickens. What if she’s decided she’s not ready to date again, and that’s why she’s been avoiding me?

I take a deep breath and try to prepare myself for anything.

Karlee reaches the top of the stairs and gives me a sad smile. “Hey.”

I stand, unsure if I should go to her or not. I stay put and slide my hands into my pockets. “Hey. Long night?”

She nods. “I don’t usually work in the emergency room. It’s not my favorite.” She motions to her door. “Want to come in?”

I hesitate. She looks tired. “Are you sure? We can talk after you’ve had a chance to sleep.”

She shakes her head and unlocks her door. “I don’t want to wait. I owe you an apology.”

“Okay,” I say, confused. “For what?” I follow her inside her apartment.

“Have a seat, please? I need to go change out of these scrubs.”

I nod and make my way toward the couch. Looking around her living room, I can see all the ways she’s made it hers. Books are stacked on the coffee table, potted plants are on a little stand near the windows. I smile when I see Peanut sticking her head out of the little hole of her cat house.

“Sorry,” Karlee says, coming back into the room and sitting down on the other end of the sofa. “I don’t like to sit on the furniture in work clothes.”

I nod. “Me either,” I say, drinking her in. She looks exhausted. Dark circles take up the space under her eyes, and her lips are pulled down in a soft frown.

“Evan,” she says, pausing.

My stomach drops.

“I’m so sorry. I saw Tracey leaving your apartment the other morning and just assumed the worst.” Her eyes begin to water and she wipes roughly at the tears. “I should have talked to you about it, but I was scared.”

That surprises me. “Scared? Of talking to me?”

She nods. “Well, not of talking to you necessarily, but hearing that you’d picked someone else, too.”

My heart aches a bit for the way Patrick treated her. “Karlee, look at me. Please?”

She wipes her eyes again and lifts her gaze to meet mine.

“There’s no one else for me to pick. I don’t want anyone else.”

She nods.

I shake my head and scoot closer to her on the couch. “I don’t think you understand,” I say, reaching for her hands and holding them in mine. “I am falling in love with you, Karlee. I can see a future with you. Only you.”

She sucks in a breath, and tears slide down her face. “You what?”

I smile and wipe the moisture from her cheeks. “You told me once that you wanted to be married, have kids and a home. Do you still want that one day?”

She nods her head.

“Could you see those things with me?” I ask. “Not . . . yet. But one day?”

She closes her eyes, and I feel my future crumbling at her feet.

She squeezes my hands in hers before opening her eyes and nodding her head yes.

Elated, I pull her to me and hold her tight.

“I’m falling for you, Evan. But I’m scared. Part of me wonders when you’ll realize that I work too much, or our schedules are too different, and decide that you don’t want me anymore.”

I lean back, making sure she can see the sincerity in my eyes. “Karlee, that will never happen. Every relationship has things that need to be worked through. We’ll figure it out. Besides, you may decide that you want to stay home with our babies one day. Either way, we’ll find a way, Karlee.”

She gasps. “What did you just say?”

I laugh. “Karlee, I want everything with you. One day, when we’re ready. For that to happen, you can’t hide from me, or run away every time something happens. You’ve got to talk me.”

She sighs and leans into my shoulder. “I want those things too,” she whispers. “I can’t promise I’ll be great at it, but I promise I’ll try to talk things out instead of running from our problems.”

“That’s all I can ask,” I say, running my hands up and down her back. “Actually, I do have one more question,” I say.

“What?” she asks.

“Can I kiss you?”

She leans back and looks into my eyes. “I thought you’d never ask.”

I gently brush my lips across hers, savoring the softness of her. “I should go so you can get some rest.” I say before giving her another soft kiss.

Karlee yawns and nods. “That’s a good idea. We’re okay?”

“We’re more than okay, Sunshine.” I give her a quick hug before heading back to my own apartment for a while. “Are you off tonight?” I ask.

She nods, covering another yawn with the back of her hand.

“Can I make you dinner?”

“I’d love that,” she says.

I lean in and give her another soft kiss. “See you when you wake up.”

It’s been a few weeks since Karlee and I shared our feelings, and I’ve grown more sure about her every day. I can’t imagine ever getting tired of that smile of hers.

“You ready, Sunshine?” I call, opening her front door. Today I’ve planned a big surprise.

She comes out of her room, and I’m breathless. “I’m ready.” She pats Peanut on the head and grabs her purse and a light jacket. “Lead the way, handsome.” She presses up onto her toes to give me a gentle kiss.

“You look beautiful,” I tell her, opening the door for her.

She looks down at the faded jeans and maroon long-sleeved t-shirt she’s wearing and laughs. “Yeah, sure I do.”

I shake my head. She may not believe me, but she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known.

“Where did you say we were going again?” she asks, locking her door.

“Nice try.” I lead her down the stairs and to the truck. “You know it’s a surprise.”

“Can’t blame a girl for trying.” She grins and kisses me on the cheek before hopping up into the seat I’ve come to think of as hers over the last couple of months.

“No, I guess not.”

The radio is playing a blend of country and 90s’ alternative thanks to a playlist Karlee created. Forty-five minutes later, we pull into a gravel lot splattered with a rainbow of colors and she gasps.

“Paintball? Seriously?” She starts to laugh. “You know I was joking, right?”

“Hey,” I say, grinning. “You said paintball was on the table.”

The sound of talking and laughter from other players waiting for the eleven a.m. time slot fills the air. Karlee bounces from foot to foot, a huge grin on her face. “I’ve never done this before,” she says excitedly.

“Me either, but I thought it would be a fun date.”

“Too bad Morgan and Brant couldn’t come,” she says, looking around at the other players. “Or Heath—I bet he’d be good at this game.”

“Yeah, they frown on pregnant ladies playing. And Heath, well, he avoids anything that reminds him of his time overseas.” I’m so glad she’s excited about this. When I was setting it up, I wasn’t sure she’d go for it.

We get to the registration desk and grab the release forms to sign. After turning those in, we are each given a marker, a mask, and a hopper filled with paintballs. We’re shown to a small room where we slide on jumpers to protect our clothes. Just outside, we’re given a safety briefing, and an instructor goes over how to use everything before leading us onto the field.

The moment we enter, Karlee’s got her game face on. “Let’s do this,” she says, racing behind a stack of wooden pallets.

Laughing, I follow behind her. “I didn’t realize you had such a competitive streak,” I say, dipping down beside her. “This is going to be fun.”

The sound of paintballs hitting the obstacles starts, and my adrenaline flows. “Ready?” I ask, nodding to a set of barrels close by.

“Yes,” Karlee says, getting herself ready.

“On my signal.”

Karlee nods, and I peek around the corner. I wave my hand, and we take off, dodging paintballs and running from cover to cover, shooting at anyone we see.

An hour later, we’re both covered in colorful paint splatters and laughing. We turn in the gear, and head back to the truck. We weren’t the winning team, but I think it’s safe to say we both had fun.

“I’m going to be so sore tomorrow,” Karlee says, stretching her arms. “But it was worth it. This was an epic date.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” I say, opening her door.

“It was a lot more fun than I imagined. Though I’m pretty sure I’m going to have a few bruises.” She rubs at a spot on her arm that is already turning colors.

“Yeah, I have a few tender spots myself.” I start the truck and pull out of the parking lot. “Ready for the next part?”

She laughs and shakes her head. “There’s a next part? I thought this was it.”

“Nope,” I say, flipping on the blinker to head back towards town. “Not even close.”

“Are you going to tell me?” She sticks out her bottom lip and makes puppy dog eyes at me.

“Nope,” I say again. “But you’re welcome to try to guess.”

She looks at me for a minute before crossing her arms. “Fine, let me think.” She taps her finger on the side of her mouth. “I know! The Fall Festival?”

“I guess you’ll have to wait and see.”

The Cobb County Fair is the biggest event in the area, and I can’t wait to share it with her.

We pull up to the fairgrounds and park. The gang is waiting for us near the front gates, and Karlee squeals when she sees them. “Best date ever,” she says, giving me a huge hug.

I buy us tickets and ride tokens, and we all step inside.

“Where to first?” Reese asks, holding Elli’s hand. Her shiny new engagement ring sparkling in the sun.

“The bathroom,” Morgan says and then laughs. “I forgot how much a woman needs the restroom when she’s pregnant.”

We offer to wait where we are while the girls make a bathroom trip since neither of the kids needed to go.

“Daddy, can we get funnel cake?” Elli asks Daniel, batting her eyelashes.

“Of course—it’s the fair, isn’t it?” He pats her on the shoulder. “What do you want to do Liam?”

“I want to ride some rides,” Liam says. “And see the cows.”

Elli makes a face. “Cows smell.”

Brant, Daniel, and I all laugh.

“Don’t worry, Elli,” Reese says, coming to stand behind her. “The girls will find something else to do when they go to the barn.”

Elli lets out a relieved sigh.

Karlee takes my hand and grins. “I’m just excited to be at the fair. I haven’t been to one since my grandparents took me when I was little! I have to ride the Ferris wheel today. That was my favorite back then.”

“Let’s do it,” I say, squeezing her hand gently. “I’ll take you on it as many times as you want.”

“Let’s go there first,” Liam decides.

We all follow along, making our way through the games and rides to the back where the Ferris wheel is set up.

“Ladies first,” I say, letting her step into the car when it’s our turn.

We sit patiently as they finish loading everyone on and start the ride.

“This has been a fabulous day,” she says, looking around at the colorful view. “I love this time of year. Everything is so beautiful.”

My mouth goes dry, and my stomach feels like I swallowed a bucketful of grasshoppers. “It is,” I say softly, unable to take my eyes off of her.

She glances at me and smiles, and a soft pink stains her cheeks. “You’re sweet.”

I tear my eyes away from her finally, and drink in the moment.

When the ride ends, and we step off, we move to a game booth. Ring toss. The kids each try their hand at winning a prize and are disappointed when they only get a cheap plastic duck.

“Let me try,” I say, handing the guy a five-dollar bill. Several attempts, and fifty dollars later, I’ve won each of the kids a stuffed animal.

“This round’s on the house.” The worker hands me the rings, and I focus. I toss the colorful plastic circle, and it slides right over the top of the golden bottle.

“Wow,” the guy says, collecting the rings again. “Hardly anyone hits the grand prize. You can pick from any of the larger items at the top.”

I choose a huge stuffed cat with white fur and a tiara. “For you, Sunshine,” I say, handing her the gigantic stuffed animal.

She dances in place excitedly. “Thank you,” she says, grinning from ear to ear. She hugs me as tight as she can with one arm. “I love it!”

“I love you,” I blurt.

Our friends stop talking and stare at me.

“What did you say?” she asks, whipping her head up and meeting my gaze.

“Um.” I clear my throat. “I love you.”

A smile splits her face, and she laughs. “I love you, too.”

Our friends all clap as I take her face in my hands and kiss her softly.

“Ew, Uncle Evan,” Liam says loudly, breaking the magic of the moment. “That’s gross.”

Brant laughs and picks him up, placing him on his shoulder. “You keep thinking that, little buddy.”

Karlee leans into my shoulder and laughs.

“Never a dull moment with this group,” I say, holding back laughter.