Page 63 of The Brides Brother

Chapter Thirty-Five

Drake

This truly was one of the most amazing evenings I had had in a very long time. It wasn’t just the motorcycle ride but the entire package. My sister suspected I loved the gorgeous woman whom I couldn't stop watching. Everything about her was so alluring that midway through the ride back, Aurora embarrassingly kicked my foot and told me to stop staring. I couldn't help but smile, while Evelyn looked away to hide her blush. I contained myself then, and soon we arrived back in the Hamptons.

Everyone got down, but before she did, I leaned down and kissed her. It's a long night with the events planned for the rest of the evening, and I doubted that we would be able to see her. It was a full bonfire situation down at the beach. Everywhere would be dim, which I guess was good. But it also meant that everyone would be paying more attention than ever, so perhaps she would want to work instead of being seen with me. Regardless, it didn't matter because eventually, we were sure to have our time with each other.

I truly wished for a time in between so I could go to her room, but my mother instantly came to me as soon as we arrived since she had heard about the ride. She was quite upset about it and especially at the fact that I had taken Aurora with me.

Evelyn found the time after taking a few more pictures to sneak away, and thus I had no access to her until later that evening. I didn’t change; there was no need since it would be a casual event. She, however, did, and from the moment I noticed her later on, I couldn't take my eyes off her.

Victoria had arranged a dinner on an incredibly long table by the beach. It was a private event, so quite intimate. However, it also meant that Evelyn couldn’t stay close enough to me since she was staff. She was at the extreme end as we began the dinner, and everyone gave their toasts to the bride and groom. Several times she got up to take her pictures, and even though I didn't want to, my eyes couldn’t help but follow her.

Unfortunately, however, and about halfway into the event, something quite unpleasant happened. Lindsey arrived.

I was already aware that she was coming, yet I hadn’t given it a second thought until she arrived and started acting as though we were the bride and groom. From then on, even though I tried, I could barely spot Evelyn. It was as though she had completely taken herself out of my vicinity, and it made me even more annoyed with Lindsey.

Once, she hurried over with the drink she had refilled and immediately linked her arms to mine. Irritated, I pulled my arms away and walked off. I pulled my phone out of my pocket right then as I received a call and went over to the bar.

I wanted a few minutes alone to calm my annoyance, but unexpectedly, however, I wasn’t granted that. My mom came over, but I was always happy to see her. I ordered a slightly sweet fruit wine for her, and she joined me as we watched the dancing going on around the humongous bonfire.

She was silent for a while, even though I knew what she had come over to talk to me about, but I didn't care to oust her. She could stay as long as she wanted.

“If I leave, she’ll probably come over to bother you again, won't she?” she asked.

“Then don't leave,” I replied.

“You can't accommodate her?” she asked, and I looked at my mom.

“If I could, we wouldn’t have broken up in the first place.”

“Yes, but she's always been like this, trying to get back with you. You just seem particularly irritated today.”

I thought of Evelyn, my gaze once again going through the people present, but I still couldn’t find her. Regardless, I didn't respond.

“Is it because of the photographer? The one Aurora likes?”

I turned then and looked at her. I was about to deny this and to brush her curiosity away; however, I wondered to myself what the point of doing this was?

“Yeah,” I replied. “Because of her.”

“There’s something there?” she asked. “More than what your father mentioned?”

This made me smile.

“I don’t know,” I replied. “What I do know is that it is particularly irritating for Lindsey to be acting as clingy as she has thus far.”

“Understood,” she said.

“Want me to get rid of her?” my mom asked and smiled.

“Her father’s the governor and he’s giving me quite a lot of business. I can tolerate her for the rest of the evening.” She placed a kiss on my cheek then and rose to her feet.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Evelyn

I was acting just as problematic as Drake would have probably assumed that I would. For all I knew, this was a test, and I was failing so woefully. This girl, whoever she was, had come out of nowhere and completely made me disappear. I was working, but it was as though I had my