her open up if and when she chose to.
Evelyn stood in her luxurious bathroom and splashed cool water on her face. Of all the times for Vin to walk in on her, it had been when she’d been having one of her dreams.
She could only assume the nightmares were triggered by moving back home. Of course, she hadn’t seen the man who’d nearly ruined her, but she knew it was only a matter of time.
She had to get these emotions under control. This was her life and she damn well was going to remain in control, no matter what skeletons came tumbling out of her closet.
“Pathetic,” she muttered to her reflection.
Between her dark circles and her nappy hair on the one side, she was the epitome of haggard. And here she’d prided herself for years in keeping it together and presenting a strong front.
So much for being strong. She’d felt a hand on her leg in the midst of a dream about a piece of her past and she’d freaked out. Poor Vin. He wasn’t the type to sit back and remain quiet. He’d expect answers and he deserved them if they were going to be spending so much time together.
He also deserved the right to replace her since she was apparently a little crazy.
After applying a bit of concealer and a sheer gloss, Evie pulled her hair back into a low ponytail at the nape of her neck. She straightened her dress and padded barefoot out onto the balcony.
Vin stood against the railing, feet crossed at his ankles as he was working on his phone. As soon as he spotted her, he slid it into his pocket and straightened.
Squaring her shoulders, she clasped her hands in front of her and stood in the open doorway.
“I owe you an explanation,” she started before he could say anything. “But I’m sorry, I can’t tell you that part of my life. I understand if you want to use another designer for this project.”
Vin’s brows drew together as he stepped forward. “Evie, do you really think I’d replace you because you have some obvious issues with intimacy? Or because I caught you at a weak moment? You must really think I’m a complete asshole.”
Evelyn released a sigh and smiled. “I don’t think you’re an asshole, Vin, but I do know your business is your life.”
“I’d never throw a friend under the bus just because they have some problems.” He moved around the table and pulled out her chair. “So what do you say you sit, eat and tell me what you were working on earlier?”
Evelyn took the seat he offered, pleased he hadn’t pushed and surprised he was taking her lame explanation in place of an answer he wanted.
“I’d like to take the Maui resort into an exotic, yet sultry theme,” she told him as he wheeled the cart over and uncovered several dishes. “Good Lord, Vin, how many more people are dining with us?”
He smiled and set the silver-domed lids aside. “Just us, but you skipped lunch and I ordered all your favorites.”
The sweet gesture touched her. “You know my favorites? That’s one hell of a memory you have.”
“Not hard to remember,” he told her. “We have the same taste in food.”
“So you ordered your favorites,” she joked as he put a healthy dose of fruit and fruit dip on her small plate.
“I’ll have you know I ordered coconut cream pie, which I hate, but I know you love.” He flashed her a smile as he placed a plate of filet mignon and mashed potatoes in front of her. “Now eat up. You’re going to need your strength if we’re going to tackle this design because I hate exotic themes.”
She froze with a strawberry at her lips. “You’re kidding.”
“Did I mention I’m difficult to work with?”
When he only winked and grinned, Evelyn knew this was going to be one project that may be infuriating, but it would probably be the most interesting of all her work thus far.
Working with Vin would no doubt bring them even closer and with his obvious interest in her on a personal level, Evelyn wondered if this was the man she was meant to open up with.
Evelyn stood in her luxurious bathroom and splashed cool water on her face. Of all the times for Vin to walk in on her, it had been when she’d been having one of her dreams.
She could only assume the nightmares were triggered by moving back home. Of course, she hadn’t seen the man who’d nearly ruined her, but she knew it was only a matter of time.
She had to get these emotions under control. This was her life and she damn well was going to remain in control, no matter what skeletons came tumbling out of her closet.
“Pathetic,” she muttered to her reflection.
Between her dark circles and her nappy hair on the one side, she was the epitome of haggard. And here she’d prided herself for years in keeping it together and presenting a strong front.
So much for being strong. She’d felt a hand on her leg in the midst of a dream about a piece of her past and she’d freaked out. Poor Vin. He wasn’t the type to sit back and remain quiet. He’d expect answers and he deserved them if they were going to be spending so much time together.
He also deserved the right to replace her since she was apparently a little crazy.
After applying a bit of concealer and a sheer gloss, Evie pulled her hair back into a low ponytail at the nape of her neck. She straightened her dress and padded barefoot out onto the balcony.
Vin stood against the railing, feet crossed at his ankles as he was working on his phone. As soon as he spotted her, he slid it into his pocket and straightened.
Squaring her shoulders, she clasped her hands in front of her and stood in the open doorway.
“I owe you an explanation,” she started before he could say anything. “But I’m sorry, I can’t tell you that part of my life. I understand if you want to use another designer for this project.”
Vin’s brows drew together as he stepped forward. “Evie, do you really think I’d replace you because you have some obvious issues with intimacy? Or because I caught you at a weak moment? You must really think I’m a complete asshole.”
Evelyn released a sigh and smiled. “I don’t think you’re an asshole, Vin, but I do know your business is your life.”
“I’d never throw a friend under the bus just because they have some problems.” He moved around the table and pulled out her chair. “So what do you say you sit, eat and tell me what you were working on earlier?”
Evelyn took the seat he offered, pleased he hadn’t pushed and surprised he was taking her lame explanation in place of an answer he wanted.
“I’d like to take the Maui resort into an exotic, yet sultry theme,” she told him as he wheeled the cart over and uncovered several dishes. “Good Lord, Vin, how many more people are dining with us?”
He smiled and set the silver-domed lids aside. “Just us, but you skipped lunch and I ordered all your favorites.”
The sweet gesture touched her. “You know my favorites? That’s one hell of a memory you have.”
“Not hard to remember,” he told her. “We have the same taste in food.”
“So you ordered your favorites,” she joked as he put a healthy dose of fruit and fruit dip on her small plate.
“I’ll have you know I ordered coconut cream pie, which I hate, but I know you love.” He flashed her a smile as he placed a plate of filet mignon and mashed potatoes in front of her. “Now eat up. You’re going to need your strength if we’re going to tackle this design because I hate exotic themes.”
She froze with a strawberry at her lips. “You’re kidding.”
“Did I mention I’m difficult to work with?”
When he only winked and grinned, Evelyn knew this was going to be one project that may be infuriating, but it would probably be the most interesting of all her work thus far.
Working with Vin would no doubt bring them even closer and with his obvious interest in her on a personal level, Evelyn wondered if this was the man she was meant to open up with.
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