Tempting Eve

Chapter 2

"It's nice to see you Eve." My father pulled the door to the townhouse wider. "You're just in time for dinner."

We both tried our best to smile. Mine was forced. His was nervous as if I was a mirage who would vanish in a cloud of mist the second the wind changed.

I stepped into the warm foyer. The walls were a beautiful, white-washed shiplap. Hooks covered the left wall and were filled with an assortment of jackets and colorful umbrellas, a staircase took up the right and directly in front of me was a large, framed photo of my father grinning down at the woman I've never met. Looking at her with obvious love in his eyes as she twirled in a white gown.

My fist clenched.

I wish I could be brave like I was last night, but last night was a fluke. A bit of New Years magic. Instead I muttered, "thank you for inviting me."

"Of course. It's nice to have you back in the city, I only wish I would have known sooner."

I removed my jacket and stood awkwardly with it until the woman in the photo breezed in and took it from my arms. She was around my height with long braided hair and a fresh, makeup-free face. Her movements seemed effortless and her smile genuine.

"I can't tell you how excited I've been to meet you." She hung the jacket on one of the hooks and grabbed both of my hands in hers looking me squarely in the eyes.

"I'm Elizabeth and while you may not be fond of me yet, I wanted to let you know that you are wanted and welcome here anytime." She grinned and lines appeared near her mouth and eyes revealing her age. "I know you might not believe me, but we've been looking forward to this for a long time."

My mouth gaped like a fish, searching for words. I tried to gather my thoughts. I had been so prepared to dislike this woman who wasn't my mom, but I couldn't.

Seeing my struggle, she changed the subject.

"I hope you're hungry. I think I made more food today than I did for Thanksgiving."

My father nodded. "Since this is your first birthday without your-" He scrubbed one hand over the back of his head. "Well, we wanted it to be special."

I shrugged trying to look nonchalant while my heart raced. "Ok."

Elizabeth squeezed my hands, then kept one as she led me through a wide hallway and past a beautiful kitchen I'm sure put some five star restaurants to shame.

While we explored the first floor she rambled, pointing out things of interest. "...oh, and I think your dad told you I invited my son for dinner. I just wanted to get all of the introductions out of the way at once."

"He did. I'm looking forward to meeting him," I swallowed. Lying. I was not excited to meet a so called stepbrother I had only discovered a week ago when my dad called me for the first time in ten years.

"Great, he's already here."

We walked into an ornate dining room and I gasped, coming to a stop at the threshold.

The person sitting at the table stared back at me in equal disbelief.

"Eve, I'd like you to meet my son Ethan, though I suppose all of his friends call him York. Ethan, this is Andy's daughter Eve. Isn't she just beautiful?"

He nodded, quickly composing his face. "Eve is it?"

My skin felt feverish. This honestly, truly and unequivocally couldn't be happening. "Yes."

"It's nice to meet you," he said patting the empty chair beside him. "Have a seat... I don't bite."

Oh my God.