The Love Story (The Things We Can't Change Book 4) Read Online Free PDF Page A

past tense.
    “So why don’t you start trying to write again?” Zeke asks. “Hey, you could write a children’s book and I’ll illustrate it for you!”
    I roll my eyes at him as he laughs but the idea has surprising merit. It would be worth forcing a story out of myself to have a whole book full of Zeke’s work. It would be beautifully done, too. I can’t hold back a huge smile at the idea of tall, tattooed, tough Zeke Quain making a name for himself as a children’s book illustrator. Then again, I don’t think I could ever write a story that would be worthy of the art he would draw for it.
    “I’ll… give it a try,” I promise as I dig into my cake. The warm, gooey chocolate hits my tongue and I give a sigh of ecstasy.
    Zeke is already done with his pie, having practically inhaled it. He’s watching me as I eat and suddenly I become aware of how I’m savoring each bite.
    “What?” I mumble.
    He leans forward, looking at me intently. “I never thought we’d be doing this,” he admits quietly.
    “Doing what?” I ask, curious.
    He waves a hand at the scant space between us. “ This . Going on a date. Dating. If someone had told me that first day in the dance studio that I would be going on a date with Evangeline Parker in six months, I would have said they were crazier than Tony. I’d have even said it if they’d told me just a month ago.”
    “Why?” I ask. Problems, personal issues aside, I’m not sure why he finds the idea so incredulous. But then again, maybe I do.
    He shrugs. “Because you’re Evangeline Parker and I’m Ezekiel Quain. You’re the country club member and I’m the waiter.”
    I arch an eyebrow at him because none of this has ever mattered to me. “You know, this isn’t nineteen fifty-four. I don’t look down on your because your skin is a different color or because you have a job. Even if it is at a place where you need money to become a member.”
    “All the other people at the club do,” Zeke points out. “And the concept of marrying beneath you is still very much alive. It just doesn’t always have to do with skin color anymore. Besides. You always shied away from me at first.”
    I bristle at the accusation. “Because you scared me,” I say, annoyed. “You wanted people to shy away from you. There were all these rumors about you and Dominic and Cameron Fuller and they made me nervous. I didn’t know if they were true or not. Or if you could be like Tony or not. It wasn’t until I saw you with Cindy that I realized everything I thought I knew about you was wrong.”
    “Hmm,” is all Zeke says, still staring at me.
    I begin to feel annoyed at his apparent lack of belief in what I’m saying. “Believe what you want,” I say airily, determined to turn the tables on him. I pretend to be wholly focused on my dessert. “But I know you’ve always had a thing for my hair.”
    Zeke sits bolt upright. “I do not!”
    “Do too,” I insist calmly, daintily spooning chocolate into my mouth.
    “How would you know?” he asks snidely.
    “Because when I was drunk at that party you touched it and freaked out when I said I wanted to cut it,” I say, still calm and nonchalant. “And right after, when you thought I wasn’t looking, you smelled your hands.”
    There’s complete silence as Zeke stares at me, his eyes wide. I smile at him as I push back my empty plate.
    “Hey. Just because I’m small doesn’t mean I can’t handle my liquor.”
    He stares at me some more and then finally shakes his head and laughs. And laughs some more. Finally he stands up from the booth and holds out a dark hand to me, his eyes bright with emotion and laughter.
    “Nothing ever gets past Evie Parker,” he says with a shake of his head. “Ready to go? It’s getting late.”
    “Of course.” I slide out of the booth, taking his hand and using it to help me get onto my feet. Zeke doesn’t let go as we walk through the crowded restaurant and out to the car.
    When Zeke moves to