Read Online The Idea of You by Darcy Burke - Free Book Online Page B

with the idea to shield his identity after Alex had died—he hadn’t wanted to go after his brother’s job, not in the midst of everyone’s grief. Last summer, he’d set up the fake company, and in the fall, he’d applied for the job under the identity of Eric Steele and said he suffered from acute agoraphobia, which would prevent him from interviewing in person or working at the company facility. It seemed like a crazy idea, but Evan had worked hard to dot every i and cross every t to ensure he came off as credible and capable. And it had worked.
    Evan scanned the e-mail, his adrenaline pumping.
    Eric,
    When you promised us innovation as well as a keen understanding of our brand, I thought you were just saying what every applicant says and what employers want to hear. However, your earnestness and attention to detail won us over, and we hired you. I never imagined you’d deliver something so quickly and that it would be so spot-on perfect. This is incredible. The logo you designed for our summer festival beer is fantastic and the name . . . well, it’s Epic!
    Evan smiled. Every beer they’d ever made bore a name that was tied somehow to archery. He’d wanted something a little bit different but in keeping with the idea of something archery might represent. He’d thought of mythology and legend and literature with archers, and so many of them were epic. It seemed the right name.
    I understand your disability doesn’t allow us to meet in person, but if we could, I’d shake your hand. Hell, I might even give you a hug. Well done!
    Please move forward with everything you discussed and let us know when you have collateral designs.
    Best,
    Rob Archer
    Evan couldn’t stop grinning. He’d thought he’d done a good job, but he hadn’t known. This was all so new to him. He was tempted to share this with someone, and strangely, Alaina came to mind. He shook his head. Maybe Tori.
    But then he’d have to ask her to keep it a secret from Dad and everyone else.
    Or, he could come clean with Dad. He should . But he wasn’t ready yet. He’d nailed this assignment, but what if it was the only one? What if everything else he did fell completely short? He could hear everyone telling him, “At least you’re great at the tech stuff. You’ll always have something to fall back on there.”
    While he couldn’t argue with that, it wasn’t what he wanted. And Alex had been right—Evan hadn’t known what that was. Until now.

Chapter Five
    A ROUND NOON ON Sunday, Evan knocked on the door to the garage apartment. He was a little tired, but then he’d stayed up working past two at the cabin, where he’d set up his work space. He’d chosen the small building as his secret office where he could lay out all of his design work and inspiration without anyone seeing it. Hardly anyone visited the homestead, meaning the house, and no one went down the hill to the small cabin that had been the first dwelling of Benjamin Archer, who’d founded Ribbon Ridge.
    Evan had been so into his design work, he’d barely noticed the time. If not for the protein bars stuffed in his desk drawer, he might not have remembered to eat. He was glad he’d put a couch in the cabin, as it had given him a place to crash.
    The door opened, and Alaina looked surprised. “Evan, I didn’t realize you were coming.”
    â€œSorry, I would’ve texted, but I realized we didn’t exchange numbers.”
    â€œNo, we didn’t.” She cocked her head to the side. “You could’ve asked Sean for my number.”
    â€œDidn’t think of it. Are you ready to go to The Alex?”
    â€œThe Alex?” She looked at him in confusion.
    â€œThe monastery that we’re converting into a hotel. Kyle’s restaurant?”
    â€œI didn’t realize it was called The Alex. That’s really nice.”
    He saw her smile, even