Free The Someday Jar by Allison Morgan Page B

Paige. Congratulations on catching the big fish.”
    “Sorry?”
    “Evan. But don’t worry. I’m not here to steal him away. At least not on purpose.” She winks.
    Before I punch her in the mouth, Evan and Wes stroll in from the kitchen.
    “Paige, I appreciate you coming,” Evan says.
    “I’m so glad you called.” She walks all glossy and confident toward him.
    “Lanie, Wes, this is Paige. She’s an incredible interior designer and she’s agreed to help us with the house.”
    Help?
Why do we need all this help? First an architect and now an interior decorator? We don’t need Paige. I can do it. I’ve got skills. My Yoda and Lady Liberty bobbleheads, lined up along the fireplace mantel, pop into mind. Okay, maybe I don’t.
    I slide my arm into Evan’s and comb my fingers through my hair—which I planned on doing anyway—and accidentally-on-purpose catch the sun’s ray hoping to blind Paige with my diamond. Then, with a sugary-sweet tone, because after all, he’s engaged to me and there’s no point in making a big deal out of this, I say, “Sounds great.”
    “Shall we start in the kitchen?”
    Walking toward us, Mom peeks at her watch. “Gotta run. My adrenal cortex evaluation is in twenty minutes. Remarkable home, Evan.” She nods at Paige and Wes, then pats my cheek. “Remember what I said, okay?”
    “Okay.”
    “Good. I’ll call you later, honey.”
    We all say good-bye and Mom shuts the door behind her.
    Evan pulls away from me and leads Paige toward thekitchen. “Let’s show Paige what we’re thinking.” Quite honestly, I really don’t mind that she’s here, even if she is extraordinarily beautiful, has an ass rounder than a Victoria’s Secret model, and probably wears sexy underwear, the itchy kind. She’ll simply prove to Wes that Evan only has eyes for me and that we are a great, solid couple.
    “Your thoughts?” Evan asks.
    Shit.
I wasn’t listening. “I—”
    “Well, I agree with . . .” Paige starts.
    My stomach wobbles with embarrassment. Evan asked Paige. Not me.
    Oh, well, no matter, I convince myself. Of course Evan asks Paige questions. She’s here for her opinion and I’m here because Evan loves me.
    After they finish their discussion, we step outside.
    Evan says, “We’ll be in touch?”
    “Yes, I’ll get back to you with some ideas.”
    “Excellent.”
    Paige backs out of the drive in her Range Rover SUV with her DECOR8 license plate and speeds off.
    Wes dips his head good-bye to me and slides into Evan’s car.
    “You like the house?” Evan asks.
    “It’s amazing.”
    “I thought you would. Listen, Wes and I are stopping for breakfast and then we have an appointment with the planning and zoning department for permits and such. I’d love for you to come, but I’d rather you got started on the Murphys’ evaluation.” He squeezes my shoulder. “I’m counting on you, babe.” He steps toward his Mercedes and says before pulling away, “The house looks beautiful with you in it.”
    For a moment I stand there, staring at a stray piece of gravel on the driveway. With a swift kick I sail the rock high and watch it spin and twist in the air, hovering for a fraction of a second against the cloudless sky before it plummets onto my windshield and, with a loud smack, chips the glass.

nine
    “Are you Phoenix’s newest broker?” Kit asks, wearing a cleavage-revealing peach sundress that Rob says is his favorite for two very obvious reasons, which jiggle as she chops an onion. She’s making tacos. Rob grills fish outside while Dylan and a friend play hide-and-seek. Evan had a dinner meeting, so after I finished Hollis’s evaluation, I came by myself. Truth be told, I’m thankful for the time alone with Kit.
    “Not yet.” I pick at my beer label.
    “Evan didn’t offer you a promotion?”
    “Nope. I planned to bring it up today, but he was out of the office all day.”
    “What was the surprise about?”
    “He bought a house.”
    “A