He nodded once, still staring ahead.

“How did you know?” What was I even asking? How did he know I’d panicked? Or did he know something about Christian I didn’t?

He closed his eyes briefly and then looked at me. “You forget how long I’ve known you.”

I felt my frown form. “I’m not sure I understand what you mean by that. And also I feel bad now. Christian seems like a good guy.”

“He is.”

“So then—”

“Let’s leave it. Are you glad you left or not?”

I nodded.

“Great. We’re here.” He turned his attention outside, and he was right, we were pulling up at the quay gate. Evan spoke to the driver and we exited.

“Should you have left?” I asked. “I’m fine from here.”

“My guys are there. Pete is running point tonight. Come on. It’s late.” He punched in our quay gate code, and it swung open on a whine.

“I can’t wait to get these heels off,” I said as I teetered. Despite my attempts to not drink so much wine, I’d clearly had more than I was used to. Expecting Evan to reach out, I was surprised when he didn’t. He hadn’t earlier when he’d rescued me from Christian either, though I’d gotten the sense he wanted to.

He thinks I’m afraid of being touched. My belly tightened with annoyance, and I thought back, trying to remember when the last time was that Evan had even reached out a steadying hand. Tonight with Christian had been unexpected, surprising even me because I’d thought I’d have been over that by now. I was afraid of being touched, not by Evan, but …

Sadness and annoyance filled me, growing with each step I took. I bent down and undid the small buckles at my ankles and slipped my shoes off, giving a moan of relief, and darted along the gangplank onto the boat.

Evan swore under his breath.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“Fine,” he said as he followed me and unlocked the sliding glass door. It slid open without issue.

We padded through the living area and headed to the galley. The boat was quiet and dark, the caterers packed up and gone. The fact that Evan and I were utterly alone on it was strange. I was more aware of him tonight. How tall he was, how broad. How much space he took up. The way my attention always swung in his direction when he entered a room. Okay, I’d obviously had way more wine than I could handle.

I shook my head and turned on the galley lights. The sooner I went out there in the world and found some other interesting men, the better. Not Christian. Although, he’d seemed nice. Maybe I’d overreacted. Misunderstood his intentions.

“How about you? Are you okay?” he asked and snatched an apple from the fruit bowl.