Fearless, Abby Brooks [leveled readers .txt] 📗

I ran a hand over my mouth. “Hey. Listen. Thanks for taking the time out of your day to call me an asshole.”

“I didn’t say you were an asshole. I said you’re stupid. Vast difference.”

“Not exactly.” I stroked Morgan’s ears. “I have a meeting. At Overton’s. As much as I’d love to hang around and let you bully me some more, I’m going to have to ask you to say goodbye and hang up already.”

Izzy snorted a laugh. “I love you, you big, stupid asshole.”

“See! I knew it. The asshole was in the subtext.”

With a quick laugh and a sharp retort, my sister said goodbye and ended the call.

It took me longer to get ready to meet Brighton than I wanted. Thoughts of Evie collided with scraps of the conversation with Izzy and kept my brain from fully processing any of it. I took longer choosing an outfit than I needed. Slicked some gel into my hair then thought better of it, only to realize what was done was done and I didn’t have time to wash it out.

I parked the Range Rover in the parking lot at Overton’s. A brisk wind rustled my hair as I strode up the sidewalk toward the entrance, and warmth and the scent of good food made up for it all as I pushed inside the restaurant. Brighton stood, her full, red lips stretching into a smile. Her trim figure was encased in a dress that begged for attention and giant heels put her nearly at eye level with me. I wrapped her in a hug as she purred her greeting and Bridget the hostess looked like she didn’t know if she wanted to punch me or break into tears while she led us to my table at the back of the room.

Chapter Forty-Two

Evie

The drive to Wildrose happened in the blink of an eye. My manuscript sat in the passenger seat, the pages printed out and shoved into a binder. On top of that sat Alex’s book, but the most important thing in the car was the sense of expectation.

I didn’t know what would happen when we saw each other, only that I needed to see him. I needed to ask him why he’d pushed me away. And I hoped…

“Let’s not get too far ahead of yourself,” I muttered to the windshield. “Just focus on seeing him. We’ll deal with any hope after that.”

My phone jingled with a text, which I checked at a red light.

Izzy: Alex is at Overton’s. Just thought you’d like to know. He’s also missing you a lot. Thought you’d like to know that, too.

The goofiest of grins brightened my face and I adjusted my course, smiling even bigger as I pulled into the lot and parked next to his Range Rover. I’d had sex in the back of that car. We’d eaten burgers and talked about dreams and stared at stars, then steamed up the windows at Makeout Point. How could I not smile at the sight of his vehicle?

With both our books clutched to my chest, I pushed through the doors, smiling like an idiot. Bridget’s mouth formed a surprised O, and she practically jumped out from behind her podium to block me from getting any deeper into the restaurant. “Evie! Hi!” Her overly wide eyes told me she was not glad to see me in the least.

“Hello…” The answer started on autopilot and ended in shock as I glanced over her shoulder to Alex’s table.

He was there all right—with a gorgeous woman laughing at something he said. His smile was genuine and their body language said they were comfortable together and I was halfway out the door before I stopped myself.

I came here to thank him. To show him my book and tell him I appreciated the way he ended his. I came here to see him and I would not let myself run away from the situation because it wasn’t what I expected. So, he was on a date. That was okay.

I was Evie McAllister, and I was fearless.

“I’m so sorry,” Bridget began. “If it’s any consolation, it’s the first time I’ve seen them here together.”

“It’s okay.” I put a hand on her arm. “But if it’s all the same, I’m still gonna go talk to him.” I didn’t wait for a reply. I stepped into the restaurant before I could lose my resolve. My heart thundered in my chest and that woman sitting at Alex’s table got more beautiful with every step.

Turn around, said fear. Turn around and walk away before you make a fool of yourself. He’s better off with someone like her and he made it pretty dang clear he didn’t want you and you’re only going to regret this for the rest of your life oh and you’ll probably die, too—

“Hi.” I stopped directly in front of Alex.

Shock stole his smile as his fork dropped from his hand. His eyes misted with emotion, joy and hope tugging at his lips. “Evie…”

“I won’t stay long. I promise. If I’d known I was interrupting a date, I probably wouldn’t have come at all, so I guess it’s a good thing I didn’t know because it feels really good to be here again.” I turned to the woman across from Alex. “I’m Evie McAllister and, well, he’s a wonderful guy and I’m sure you’ll be very happy together.”

Shaking his head, Alex scooted back from the table. “Evie—”

I held up a hand. “I just came to say thank you. To tell you I got your book and that it’s beautiful and I’m sorry for barging into your office that day and saying all those terrible things to you about the character. I let fear speak for me and you didn’t deserve that. Okay, maybe you did deserve it because you didn’t tell me what you had in mind and it was kind of a shock—”

Alex started to speak but I held up a hand.

“I know I’m rambling, but if