Page 32 of Signed, SEALed, Delivered

CHAPTER TWELVE

Kennedy

Clarity is a funny thing. When you feel as if you have all of the facts in a situation, only to be given a different perspective, everything, which was murky, becomes clear.

Keeping my word to Zach, I arrived to his party on time. Emma informed me he was upstairs taking a much-deserved shower after working out with his brother's football team. She introduced me to several of the ladies in attendance, everyone was friendly and I knew my mother would never fit into the inner circle Emma had created. Each person she introduced me to was interested in what I had to say, answered every question I asked and laughed when it was appropriate. They were all genuinely good people. There weren't any hidden agendas, ulterior motives, or anything to gain by speaking to me.

Meghan was the last lady I was introduced to. She was bent over, speaking softly with a little boy who I would guess to be about two or three. He had tears on his face, but after a few words from Meghan, a smile lit up his features and he was off and running with the rest of the children.

"Wouldn't it be nice if everything in life was as simple as a hug from your mother?" Her eyes remained on the now happy child.

"That would be an ideal world wouldn't it?” I voiced, and then really thought about what I said.

Meghan moved closer to me extending her hand for me to shake, the smile caressing her gentle face was real and not forced. I hated when people had to force a smile, it made you wonder what was really going on inside their heads.

"My mother-in-law tells me Zach brought you over yesterday." Eyes drifting behind me and without seeming rude, I turned to see a large guy standing just outside the patio doors, a beer in his hand, and Jonathan, Zach’s father, standing beside him. He was incredibly good looking and I scanned the lawn trying to see who the lucky girl was wearing the matching wedding ring that decorated the third finger of his left hand.

"Yes, he and my brother own a shop downtown." It was the simplest answer I could give. Disclosing what had transpired between Zach and I would serve no purpose, therefore I kept it to myself.

"He is persistent. Hell, all of them are."

I looked at her with a questioning expression, but before she could elaborate or I could ask her the question that was on the tip of my tongue, we heard a conversation that was currently transpiring between several of the younger girls who were enjoying the music playing overhead.

"Can you imagine not having the opportunity to date for as long as he’s been away?"

"Forget about dating! Imagine how long it's been since he’s had sex. I mean hasn't he been surrounded by men for the past few years?"

"He's still single, which can only mean one thing."

"Well, if it's dry spell relief that he needs, he can certainly have his pick."

Meghan grabbed me by the arm, pulling us away from the rest of the conversation. Her movement allowed me to see a sight that would cause even the most seasoned girl to swoon. Zach stood, beer in hand, with a red ball cap on backward and a sleeveless shirt giving me a glimpse of the tattoos decorating his arms. Muscular tan legs, perfected from hours of training and hard work, peaked out from the bottom of his tan shorts. Raising the bottle to his mouth, I couldn’t help but watch the dip of his Adam's apple, as he took in the cold liquid, all while looking in my direction. In all of my thoughts last night, I never considered Zach would be in the need of sex. It wasn't unreasonable to think he would feel comfortable approaching me with his need.

“I swear, if gossip was an art form, those two would be a couple of Picasso’s. They don’t care whose bed they fall into as long as it’s lined with money. Listen, Kennedy, I don't know anything about you except what Emma has told me, but what I do know is how these Michaels boys work."For the next few minutes she told me of her introduction to one of the Michaels men. She indicated the man who was the subject of the conversation was the handsome man who stood beside Zach. Meghan wasn’t a drop dead gorgeous woman, looking at her was like looking at a version of myself. She lived to be comfortable, not fashionable. Given the appearance of her husband, it was not the social norm.

"Maybe those ladies are right, maybe that is what he's after, but nothing says you have to sleep with him. If he is only after what you can give him, it's simple, don't give it. But if he’s anything like Zane, and I don't have to even guess, then you’re about to be swept off your feet and taken for an amazing ride."

Her rationale seems so plausible, and maybe it was. After listening to her share the details of her courtship with Zane, I found myself stuck on a loop of sorts. By definition, not everyone is attracted to the same type of people, much like ice-cream flavors and brands of cars. We all have different tastes; it makes the world less dull. With the understanding of Meghan and Zane's relationship and the way Zach was currently expressing his interest in me, it allowed me just a glimmer of hope he wanted more from me than simply a tour of my panties.

"Well, something is definitely up." Meghan's sweet voice called my attention back to our conversation. I looked over to see what she was referring to before following her eyes and the nod of her head as a very determined, and dare I say fixated, Zach was currently headed in our direction.

***

Zane shared a story of one of his players who was having trouble keeping his focus on the game. They had sent him to see the team physician, but the visit revealed nothing.

“If his arm wasn't as good as it is, his ass would have been traded.”

"Sounds like he's more interested in the cheerleaders instead of his teammates." Meghan voiced the thoughts I was thinking. Men lose the ability to function normally when a pretty face and a short skirt are involved."You're probably right, babe. Now, tell me how to center his attention on the ball and you just might be able to rule the world."

Zane pulled his wife in closer to his chest. A move, even with the talk Meghan and I had, still baffled me. Meghan was not a stunning beauty, her hair could use a trim and her nails were chipped and broken, but that didn’t seem to matter.

Zane asked if Zach would be willing to come and help out with the game as his assistant was out with a broken foot. They lost me with talk of yardage and tight ends.

"You'll be there as well, right, Kennedy?" Meghan nudged me as she and Zane stood to leave.

"Um...well, I need to take care of some things at work."

Meghan passed off my comment with a wave of her hand. "Oh, your work will still be there after the game. At least come and keep me company."

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