My Dad's Bestfriend

Chapter 167 Drowning Again

Evelyn

"You know, people might get the wrong idea if they see you carrying me like this-we don't have anything going on between us," I finally blurted after two minutes of tense silence. My words tumbled out, driven by a mix of nervous energy and that annoying urge to clarify what basically shouldn't need clarification. It wasn't like two minutes was an eternity, but my restless mind couldn't help filling the quiet.

The beach house came into view, stirring memories of all the good times we'd shared there. This was where I'd fallen for him, where watching him sleep had made me realize I'd never love anyone more. People fall in love in the most unexpected ways and none knows it better than me.

"Did I say we have anything going on, Evelyn?" he sighed. His tone wasn't teasing, and there was no hint of amusement on his face. Just concern, his eyes repeatedly checking my knee. It wasn't even bleeding much, just a painful scratch, but being in Jacob's arms again... that was a different kind of ache. One that couldn't be explained, only felt.

And somewhere deep inside, I feared I might never get this close to him again.

"No, I'm just saying," I muttered, clearing my throat. My hands itched to tangle in his silky hair, to bury my face in his neck and breathe in his scent, just to feel alive again. "Just because..." Our eyes met, and for a second, I lost my train of thought. The sunlight always did Jacob Adriano justice, highlighting his features so effortlessly that resisting him felt impossible.

I forced myself to speak, battling the swarm of butterflies in my stomach-no, fuck butterflies. "Just because I let you carry me doesn't mean you should get any ideas. Nothing's going to change. Next time, let Cameron handle it."

A small smile curved on his lips. "So, why didn't you let your boy-toy handle it this time? You didn't say a word when I picked you up, Evie. Which means you wanted it." He turned his gaze back to the path, as if he already knew I wouldn't have a comeback. And damn it, he was right. I had nothing. Normally, I thrived on pointless arguments, anything to keep from slipping back into Jacob's orbit.

So I opened my mouth, grasping at straws. "It happened too fast. I didn't know how to react."

"Oh really?" He chuckled softly. "Evelyn Fernandez, didn't know how to react? The same woman who, no matter the time, place, or situation, always has something to say to shut me up? Come on, give me one reason to believe that." God, he was embarrassing me.

"It's up to you whether you believe it or not," I replied, my voice louder than intended as I stared determinedly at the path ahead. His gaze burned into my skin, setting fires I hated to admit I enjoyed. When would I stop feeling anything for this man? Probably never.

know how long you're going to keep running from the truth," he said, his voice suddenly so soft it could melt my heart in seconds. My eyes snapped to his, my pulse quickening. "But I'm not giving up on you. You can push me away all you want, Evelyn, but I'm not giving up. I'll keep following you until you're tired-tired of running, tired of hiding-and then I'll bring you home. I'll bring my home back to

God...

My mind went blank, surrendering to my pounding, restless

Get a grip, Evelyn.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

wouldn't my

ignore than the last. Keeping my own feelings in check became an impossible task. Desperate for relief, I forced myself to look away, though my heart still beat like a drum, and

into the beach house, kicked the door open, and gently set me on

right

disappearing into another room.

he returned with a first aid kit, he knelt in front of me, lifting my dress just enough to expose my injured knee. As his warm fingers brushed against my cold skin heat surged through me, spreading like wildfire through my veins. I flattened my hands on the sofa, clinging to my

my eyes had a mind of their own, tracing over him as if I wanted to memorize every detail, as if I wanted to

might burn a

soft, matching

He pressed a cotton swab soaked in disinfectant against my injury, lifting my leg to rest on his knee. A soft hiss escaped my lips, but then he leaned in and began to blow softly on the area, soothing the sting and sending shivers down my spine. Goosebumps erupted all over my

supposed

me? I thought I'd purged him from my

more careful, Evelyn," he said quietly, dabbing the cut before applying ointment. His rough, calloused fingers felt like the softest thing on earth against my skin.

about you," he whispered, his focus on the bandage he was securing over the cut. "And when you get hurt, it fucking hurts me. Maybe it's hard for you to believe that now, but it does. After everything we had, we can't just stop caring for each other, can we?" "I... I don't care about you," I said, my voice faltering. He