Chapter Nine

EVELYN

I walked away with the painting feeling triumphant.

It always felt great when I won something against Nolan Walters. That cocky bastard can kiss my beautiful ass.

I looked at the painting and scoffed. What did he mean this painting would remind me of him? Just because he wanted his grubby hands all over it? God, he is so damn self-centered. 

I put the painting down and headed to my car. My parents were expecting me for lunch, and I didn't want to be late. I still couldn't believe my father when he said Nolan and I were childhood friends. That's impossible. I must've been an idiot to associate with the likes of him.

"Evelyn, darling! I am glad you could make it. I made your favorite, Meatloaf," mom gushed as soon as I walked in.

"Mom, for the last time. It's Alisha's favorite meal. Not mine," I said irritably. Mom always put Alisha first because she was a lot younger than me. I mean...she is only seventeen years old.

My mom scrunched her nose. "Are you sure about that? You've always liked Meatloaf. So that's what I made today."

I sighed. There was no point in arguing with her. "I'd love some Meatloaf. Thanks," I relented.

After dinner, I went to my old bedroom. Memories flooded back as soon as I entered, as always. I tried my hardest to remember Nolan, but nothing came to mind. Maybe dad was just messing with me.

An idea lit up my brain. If we played together that much, there had to be a picture of us somewhere. My mom would have it.

"Mom!" I barged into her bedroom and cried out.

My mother leaned against the window seat, immersed in some historical fiction book. She nearly dropped her book when I screamed at her.

"What is it, sweetheart?" she asked. Her face twisted into a frown.

"Nolan Walters. Do you know him?" I asked her directly.

"Nolan Walt...oh yes! Ellis and Ivan Walters's son, right? Of course, I remember him. He was such a cute kid," mom gushed.

Of course, he was cute when he was a child. If only my mom saw how vicious he was now. "Yes. What do you know about him? How close was I with him?"

Please tell me I hated him then too, I pleaded in my mind. My dad remembered things wrong because he is old. He had to!

"Oh, you two were best friends. Nolan loved you! You two walked around the house holding hands like two peas in a pod," my mother said and smiled at the fond memory.

Ugh...gross.

"Do you have a picture of us?" I asked.

She raised her eyebrows then stood up. "Hmm...let's see. I will go check the old family albums. Oh, I know! We went on a vacation to Hawaii once. You two probably have a picture together there," she said as she dug through the box of photo albums. 

Mom suddenly stopped and pulled out a white book. She flipped through the pages then stopped, her lips curled into a small smile. "Here's one! This one is my favorite," she gushed and handed me a photograph.

I stared at it with annoyance as my mother was right about Nolan.

He was too goddamn cute.

We were about three or four years old. I had short, curly hair with a chubby face, and he had a head full of dark brown hair. We were both smiling. He was missing a couple of teeth which made him even cuter somehow. And are those dimples?

I snorted. We were indeed holding hands. 

"So what're all these questions about Nolan Walters all of a sudden? We lost touch with them ages ago, didn't we? So sad about his father, though," mom said.

"It's nothing. Dad mentioned him, so I was curious," I told her. 

"I heard you two have some kind of rivalry going on," mom said.

"Who told you that?" I asked.

"Your dad mentioned it. That's too bad because he is an eligible bachelor, and you aren't getting any younger," mom said bluntly.

"MOM!" I whined. She never failed to mention how single I was and how I had the potential to die a spinster. 

I left my parents' house and went straight home. My mom was right about one thing. I had been single for far too long. I needed a date.

Robbie came to mind. I've been trying to flirt with him for months now, but he did not respond to me. I mean, sure, he would flirt back sometimes, but it wasn't good enough. Maybe I needed to push him more and ask him out myself.

He picked up on the second ring. "Eve! What a pleasant surprise. What made you call me at this hour?"

I hesitated. I took a leap of faith and called him, but now I didn't know how to ask him out. "Um...well...I was wondering if you were busy tonight," I said after working up the courage.

"Not for a pretty lady like you. Is there something wrong?" Robbie asked.

"Not at all! I just wanted to see if you wanted to go to this new restaurant that opened up. You know...the one on 9th avenue?"

Robbie was silent for a moment. I was starting to get nervous. Am I too forward? Maybe he was the kind of guy who didn't like women when they asked a guy on a date. 

"Oh yes! I remember that restaurant. Sure. I would love to go with you tonight. I was just finishing up a painting," Robbie said enthusiastically.

I released a sigh of relief. This went better than I imagined. "Wonderful, I will meet you there at eight," I said before hanging up.

I quickly walked to the closet and pulled dresses I wanted to try on. I finally settled on a white chiffon dress with lace sleeves and an open back. Next, I curled my hair and put on some light makeup. 

I arrived at the restaurant right on time, but Robbie wasn't there yet. My phone lit up, so I looked at it.

'I am going to be a bit late. Apologies to the beautiful lady," Robbie texted.

I rolled my eyes. Robbie had always been bad about being on time. I went to the bar and ordered myself a dirty martini.

"Are you sure you want to drink again? I don't plan on babysitting you tonight."

The hair on my neck stood as I heard Nolan's booming voice behind me.

Oh, for fuck's sake...