No one's more surprised then Chase Stokes when his estranged step-sister shows up on his doorstep in South Carolina. They haven't talked in almost two years, but something has caused her to quit school, leave Maryland, and take up residence on his...
"Pretty Girl, are you sure you're feeling up to going out tonight?" Rudy questioned from the bedroom door as he watched her get dressed.
"Why wouldn't I?"
"Well you've been baking all day for tomorrow and you're like five days away from your due date," he reminded her.
Smiling she assured him she was fine, "It's Maddie's birthday dinner. I'm not missing it," she told him.
"Fine," he conceded, "But as soon as you start feeling tired you let me know and we'll come home. It's not like we won't see them tomorrow for the Christmas party before most of them head home."
Meeting him at the bedroom door she kissed him, "I promise I'll let you know when I get more tired than I already am," she laughed moving around him and heading down the hall.
"Evaline."
"I'm fine," she called over her shoulder as she put on her coat.
Pulling into the parking lot of the restaurant Maddie had chosen for dinner Rudy looked out the window, "It's a bar," he realized.
"It's a restaurant slash bar; they serve food. She wanted to be able to dance, but also have the under agers come too," Evaline told him.
"It's still a bar and it looks crowded. Are you okay with that?" he asked. "I'm fine," she reassured him, "She already talked to me about it."
Climbing from the car they made their way inside. After giving Maddie's name at the hostess stand they were led through the crowd to a semi-private room where a few of the others were already gathered.
"Happy Birthday, a day early," Evaline exclaimed as she hugged Maddie. "Thank you," Maddie laughed, "And thank you for coming tonight."
"Of course. Don't take it personal though that I'll probably dip right after dinner. I'm exhausted," she whispered, "But don't tell Rudy that or he'll insist we leave now."
"Your secrets safe with me," Maddie laughed pretending to zip her lips.
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Two hours later after everyone had eaten dinner most of the group moved out to the dance floor while Evaline sat with her head on Bella's shoulder, "Do you want to go? I can drive you back if Rudy's not ready to leave," Bella told her.
Yawning Evaline nodded, "If you don't mind." Shaking her head Bella told her she didn't mind, "I'm staying the night at Austin's so I'll just get his key and we can go. I met him here so I have my car."
After arguing with Rudy for ten minutes that he should stay and have fun the girls were on their way. "He is so protective of you," Bella commented as they got into her car. "I know, and I love that about him, but I worry he's missing out on having fun," Evaline told her.
"I think he does exactly what he wants to do. If he wanted to go out with the guys every weekend then he would, but I think he likes staying home with you," Bella commented.
