Arms of Promise Read Free Page A

around the railing.
    She stepped between them before it got ugly. “Sorry, this is my . . .” What? Her childhood best friend? The only man she’d ever given her heart to? The same one who’d walked out with it their senior year and never looked back?
    “An old friend,” Evan answered for her without releasing Mr. Reyes from a palpable stare.
    Right. An old friend. Nothing more. He’d already established that back with his girlfriend. She fumbled over the word, even in her thoughts. He’d never seemed to notice the way girls fell all over themselves to get his attention in high school, but it was bound to catch up with him eventually. She’d just hoped it would be with her.
    Evan mounted the last two steps and towered above her landlord. Mr. Reyes backed against the wall and slinked down the stairs with a look on his face like he had the sudden urge to use the restroom. She couldn’t blame him. When had Evan become so daunting?
    Once he reached a safe distance at the bottom of the foyer, Mr. Reyes called up to her. “I expect a check on the thirtieth. No exceptions.” He skirted out of sight.
    Evan’s silent presence magnified the heat still stinging her ears. Anna shoved her key into the deadbolt, wishing she could shrink inside with it. The night couldn’t get any more awkward.
    “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.” Evan turned her around. “But if you’re in financial trouble, why don’t you go to your dad?”
    “And prove him right?” She scoffed. “No way, Evan. You know I can’t do that.” Head down, she clutched her elbows. “Listen, things haven’t been this bad the whole time. I had an unexpected bill come up six months ago. I’ve been working on playing catch up, but—”
    “You don’t have to explain. It’s none of my business.”
    Because they weren’t close anymore. He used to know things without her ever having to say them.
    Exhaling, Anna tugged her gloves off and faced him with as much dignity as she could muster. “Can we forget this happened? I owe you a hot chocolate for bailing me out earlier. I’d really like to go inside, get out of these heels, and visit with . . .” She swallowed and pasted on a smile. “An old friend.”
    One who still held her heart, even if his belonged to someone else now.

Chapter Two
    Fringe
    Inside Anna’s apartment, Evan shut the door behind them. It wasn’t much of a security system, but at least the door had a deadbolt. Her landlord sure wasn’t going to offer her any protection. Evan never doubted she’d move away from the gated community she’d always felt imprisoned by. He just wished she would’ve picked a safer location.
    Anna turned on the lights and hung a ballet shoe key ring on a decorative hook beside the door. A gray and white cat scurried from down the hallway. Purring up a storm, it weaved between Anna’s legs.
    “Is that . . . ?”
    “Yep. My Bailey’s still around.” Anna squatted and curled a finger under the cat’s furry chin. “Some people just aren’t replaceable.”
    She had no idea.
    “Even kitty people.” She pressed a kiss to Bailey’s head. “Right, lovey?”
    The moment Evan moved from behind her, the old tabby froze at the sight of him.
    “Aw, you remember Evan, don’t you?”
    Bailey tore into the living room before Anna could catch her. Evan had been removed from her life for too long. Of course the cat ran away from him. He was shocked Anna hadn’t done the same.
    A low growl rumbled from underneath the chair.
    “I see she’s still got her split personality.”
    “Very funny.” Anna scowled at him. “She’ll warm up to you. Just talk to her for a minute.”
    Talk to her ? Sighing, he bent to the floor. “Come here, Bailey girl.”
    A pair of glow-in-the-dark eyes peered around the chair leg.
    “It’s okay.” He patted his leg. “Here, kitty, kitty.” Aw, man, if the guys could see him now—on his knees, calling a cat in baby talk. He’d never live it down.
    Bailey