Evin's Fight (Southern Charmers Book 3) by Ahren Sanders (inspirational books for women .TXT) 📕

“Ryanne and I had a plan if this went downhill, but we knew it wasn’t necessary. We watched the faces of everyone on that screen, and you’re good, Pips.”

“I think so.”

“I almost died with Ashlyn and the pregnancy thing!” Ryanne cackles. “If only she knew.”

“She knows! It’s not smart to drink with those two pregnant women. They coaxed it out of me this weekend. Can you imagine me having to explain to all those people that my episode this afternoon was not a telltale sign of pregnancy since I’ve only been having sex for ten days?”

Both of them lose it, and I nestle deeper into the sofa. Evin walks through with his phone to his ear, flashing me a grin on his way upstairs.

“Spill it, we want to hear about the weekend,” Dante demands, and I launch into details.

Twenty minutes later, there’s a knock at the door and Evin’s flying down the stairs. Runner barks, rushing to greet visitors.

“Guys, I have to go. Someone’s here.” I toss the phone on the ottoman and stand. “Who’s that?”

“My guess is my parents,” he grumbles in annoyance, opening the door.

A blur flies past him, and Annie is in my face, pulling me into a firm embrace.

“Beautiful girl, I am…” her voice cracks and breath hitches. She trembles slightly in my embrace.

“Annie, I love him.”

She draws back, completely composed. “And he loves you. You don’t have a mama around to say this. But now you have me. I am tickled beyond belief.”

Nostalgia hits and a pain slices in my chest. “Tickled,” I clear my throat and swallow the lump forming. “My grandmother used to say that. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard it.”

Her eyes soften and she grins. “Then you know exactly what I mean.”

“I do.”

Edward comes up, extending his arms wide with an enormous smile. I step to him and am immediately off my feet and engulfed. “Glad to know I didn’t raise a stupid boy.”

I giggle, still loving that he refers to Evin as a boy.

“Can we stop jerking my wife around like a rag doll? She was sick a few hours ago.”

“He’s a bit dramatic.”

Edward sets me on my feet and focuses over my shoulder. “Happy for you, Evin.”

“Thanks. And not to sound ungrateful, but why are you here?”

“You didn’t think you could drop that atomic bomb and keep me away?” Annie answers curtly.

“That’s exactly what I thought, especially since I promised to come by tomorrow.”

“Keep your pants on, we aren’t staying long.” She goes to the door, and I notice a basket with a large white bow. “We brought you a congratulations gift.”

“How did you do this so quickly?”

“I learned a long time ago not to ask questions,” Edward chuckles. “My Annie is a life of surprises.”

“Wow.”

She hands it to me. “The champagne is already chilled, but you may not be in the mood for it tonight.”

“Thank you.” I’m unsure how to proceed. “Umm, would you like to come in and sit? You must have a million questions.”

Evin’s eyes flash with disapproval, but he stays quiet.

“The answer is yes. However, we’re going home. We’ll have plenty of time to chat later. Tonight is for you two.”

“Thank you, Annie and Edward. This means a lot to me. I know it must have been a shock.”

“It wasn’t. I mean, yes, the photo-bomb slideshow took me by surprise, but as Edward said, we didn’t raise a stupid boy. Sometimes I wonder about that Darby, but not Evin.”

Evin finds this amusing, taking the basket and setting it on his foyer table. “Thank you, Mom.”

She goes to him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and kissing his cheek. “Proud of you.”

They say their goodbyes, and Evin offers to walk them out. I hang back, giving them privacy and taking the basket to the kitchen. Runner follows me, sniffing around his bowl.

“Sweet boy, you hungry?” He wags his tail, looking at me excitedly. I clap and he jumps up, his paws going to my shoulders, licking my neck and cheek. My hands scrub his back, jiggling us back and forth.

“Runner!” Evin reappears, shouting.

“We’re fine.”

“He’s a big dog who’s not aware of his strength. He can hurt you.”

“Stop worrying, we’re fine,” I repeat.

He fills the dog bowl and Runner pushes off, trotting to him. I unwrap the basket, pulling out the champagne, noticing the exclusive label.

“Would you like to open this?”

“That’s up to you. Do you feel like a glass?”

I feel great but know my stomach is empty. Then again, this is a big night. “Are you still agreeable to breaking in your bathtub?”

“Hell yes.”

“Then maybe one glass.”

His lips curl up. “Go get it ready, baby. I’ll open the bottle and be back in a minute.”

I go to him, lifting my lips to his. “I love you.”

“I love you, too. And I’d appreciate if you’d wash the dog drool off, so it’s my tongue all over you.”

“Are you jealous of a dog?”

“No, because his ass is going back to Darby tomorrow.”

“That’s too bad, he’s a good kisser and cuddler,” I tease.

“He could go back right now.”

I giggle, kissing him again and turning to the bedroom. “See you in the bath and I’ll wash off. Wouldn’t want to miss any of the experience because you’re a Neanderthal.”

“Poppy?”

I glance over my shoulder.

“I look forward to testing exactly how flexible you can be.”

Chapter 19

Evin

She stands in the middle of the room, frozen in place except for her eyes, which are zooming around nervously. “This is not what I expected.”

“Not sure if that’s good or bad.”

“I know you’re a businessman, but you’re a hotshot businessman. Everything is formal, proper, and… executive.”

“Come here.”

She walks to where I’m propped on the edge of my desk, still looking apprehensive.

“Baby, it’s an office. Desk, chair, computer, bookshelves, seating area for clients—nothing too out of place.”

“It makes it all so real.”

“Real?”

“How different our lives are,” she answers faintly.

“We have jobs, make a living doing what we love, and our companies give us the tools to do that. How does