Page 9 of Happily Evan After

“You’re going to. I can feel how you’re tightening around me. Squeezing me so good. Fuck, I’m not going to last. I need you to get there.” I slide my hand between our bodies and find her clit.

That’s all it takes.

“Coming!” she screams.

I let go, and then I’m coming too.

“I think you really are going to have to marry me,” I say as I collapse beside her.

chapter

three

Marley

Four months ago…

Even before I saw the two pink lines, I knew that night would live with me forever.

How could it not? He had been everything. An unparalleled lover, and I didn’t need more experience to know that.

My first ever one-night-stand, and he’d forever changed me. Yes, because of the baby, but it was more than that. Somehow, in the midst of two strangers connecting in the most carnal of ways, he had somehow burrowed so deep into my conscious. I didn’t even know his name, but there hadn’t been a day in the last couple of months that I hadn’t thought of him. He was my first thought every morning and my last before I went to sleep.

When I first found out I was pregnant, I tried to find him. He deserved to know. Lana didn’t know who he was. I guess she’s not as nosy as I am because had I had access to his wallet, I likely would have snooped on at least his name. And verified his age.

No one had answered the few times I’d knocked on that lake house door. It was probably an Airbnb, and I’d never find out his identity. I hated that for our child.

I’d grown up without a father, and it made me feel terrible that I’d created the same situation for my baby. But unless he just walked into my life, I had no idea how we could reunite.

chapter

four

Evan

“Explain it to me one more time,” Abel says.

I stare at my brother. “Has Hollywood made you stupid? I’m not speaking a different language here. I’ve already told you.”

He waves a hand dismissively. “Yeah, you said you were moving to some small town to run a dog park.”

“For fuck’s sake.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “You do not listen.”

“I listen,” he argues. “I heard that you’re still hung up on some chick you banged months ago.” He points at me. “Move on, brother, she’s gone.”

His words scrape against me like abrasive fabric. “Fuck off.”

“Look, if you need money or whatever, you can work for me. Be my assistant. I can pay you more than enough.”

“Are you fucking with me right now?”

He holds his hands up. “No. Just trying to help.”

“It’s like you don’t even know me. I don’t want to work for you. I don’t want to move to Hollywood. I don’t need money. I’m still thinking about the woman from that one night because she was special. I knew it then, and I should’ve done something about it. Like get her actual name. And I am not going to work at a dog park. It’s a dog sanctuary where we rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome dogs. If you’re itching to get rid of some of your cash, make a donation to the sanctuary.”

Abel stares at me, his face as familiar as my own, despite the fact that we’re not identical. “I hear you, Evan. Sorry. I’m just tired.” He shakes his head. “I’ll definitely make a donation.”

I nod. “Thank you.”