When Alec Met Evie (Appies, #6)

by Jenny Proctor

I guess, since I still haven’t heard from my landlord, I just need to call someone about the house,” Evie says. She looks at me. “Felix mentioned he knows someone. Did he happen to give you the number?” “It’s already taken care of,” I say. “They’ll be here before the end of the day.” Evie holds my gaze, lips pressed together for a long moment before she turns and hands Juno to Ruth then steps closer and wraps herself around my waist in a tight hug. At first, the surprise of the gesture keeps me from responding, but it only takes a moment for me to catch up and settle my arms around her shoulders. She smells amazing, like apples and cinnamon, which is something considering the day she’s had, and it’s all I can do not to lower my nose to her hair and breathe in a lungful of her scent. I’m sure I’ve probably hugged Evie before, when she was offering congratulations after a game. Or maybe after her and Megan’s high school graduation. But I’ve never hugged her like this, and I’m distracted by how good it feels to have her against me. “Thank you, Alec,” she whispers. She gives me one last squeeze, then lets me go, stepping back as she lifts her hands to wipe at her eyes. My throat goes suddenly dry and my skin prickles with heat and awareness. What was that? A hug, but something else too. Ruth clears her throat, and I lift my gaze to hers. She raises her eyebrows, then looks pointedly at Evie. Right. Evie just said thank you, and I’m standing here like an idiot, cataloging every...