“It sounds to me like he’s been trying to make amends.”
“It seems that way, but my career right now is vitally important to me. I don’t really want to get involved with anyone, least of all Drew.”
Evelyn nodded. “I understand. The timing of Gray and I getting involved couldn’t have been worse. But love happens when you least expect it to.”
“Love? We’re not anywhere close to being in love. This is just lust and an incredibly hot sexual attraction. It’ll burn itself out in due course.”
Evelyn gave her a lopsided smile. “Sure it will, honey.”
“Seriously, Evelyn. That’s all it is. I wanted him for so long back in college. And now that he’s reentered my stratosphere and seems genuinely interested in me, it just seems natural for me to want to take advantage, you know? There’s nothing else to it. We’re so cosmically different in every respect. He’s a hotshot athlete, and my future is in fashion. We have nothing in common other than the sex.”
“Right. And Gray and I were so well matched, what with me being in politics and him being in auto racing.” Evelyn gave her a pointed look.
“That’s totally different.”
Evelyn arched a brow. “Is it? People have fallen in love and have found a forever together with much less than what they do for a living as a foundation, Carolina.”
“I have zero intention of falling in love with Drew. So I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell your brother about this. I wouldn’t want anything to come between Gray and Drew’s friendship.”
“Of course. Anything you tell me stays strictly between the two of us, as long as it doesn’t directly harm Gray. And as far as I’m concerned, your relationship with Drew is none of his business.”
Carolina laid her hand over Evelyn’s. “Thank you.”
“Just be careful of your heart, Carolina. You might be surprised what could happen between you and Drew.”
“Honestly? I’d be very surprised if we’re still seeing each other after Christmas. Other than him being involved in my fashion line, we’re just using each other for sex.”
Evelyn laughed. “Well, at least enjoy that part.”
Carolina smiled. “I intend to.”
• • •
DREW AND GRAY RETURNED SEVERAL HOURS LATER, their faces windburned. Obviously, they had been at the lodge playing golf.
“Was it cold?” Carolina asked as they grabbed a beer and took seats with her and Evelyn in the living room.
She’d finished up her wrapping and all the gifts now sat under the tree.
“Nah. Weather was in the sixties today. Just a little windy,” Drew said.
Gray grinned as he pulled Evelyn in closer. “Perfect day for golf. There were surprisingly a lot of people there. You’d think the place would be deserted, since it’s Christmas Eve.”
“No doubt all those men trying to hide out from last-minute shopping or wrapping duties,” Evelyn said with a nudge to Gray’s side.
“Ouch. And hey, I did my shopping weeks ago. If you’d check under the tree, you’ll see there are gifts for you.”
“Hopefully none of those gifts are toasters.”
Gray frowned. “Why the hell would I get you a toaster?”
Evelyn looked at Carolina, who laughed. “Why, indeed.”