Page 45 of Taming You

Liv shrugs as she takes a bite of bacon. “All babies go through it at different times. Jayden’s in the right age range at five months, a little on the early side of it, but still in range. He’ll get his bottom teeth first and not long after, his top ones should come in. Cate loved those rings. I bought several and rotated through them. Baby Tylenol really helped her sleep.”

“Thanks. I’ll try those.”

“You can always call me if you have any questions.”

“I will.”

I make a note to stop at the store on my way home and grab some things for Jayden before our game tonight. Mom, Dad, and Gi offer to take both Jayden and Cate for the day and we can pick them up in the morning. Mom assures me before I leave she has teething toys and baby Tylenol for Jayden and that he’ll be fine. She promises to call should anything come up.

As much as I hate to leave Jayden, especially when he’s like this, I trust Mom and I know I need to take help while I have it.

When I get home, I quickly pick up before settling on the couch and looking around. I can’t remember the last time I had hours to myself with no plans and no kid. Jayden’s been with me for a month now, and it’s amazing how much he’s changed my life. I pull up a show and get lost in it until it’s time to head to the rink.

We’re playing the worst team in our league tonight, so I expect the game won’t be too intense. We end up winning 5-2.

Once we’re dressed, we meet the girls upstairs in the restaurant. I haven’t had a chance to talk to Zoey, because she only arrived just before puck drop. When I see an empty seat beside her, I make a beeline for it. She smiles at me as I pull out the chair and take a seat before she continues her conversation with Hannah.

“I don’t know,” Zoey says.

“Come on. You can’t let one guy standing you up stop you from any other dates.”

My stomach feels like it’s bottoming out. Hannah is trying to set her up with someone. I order a beer from the waitress, trying to hide that I’m solely focused on Zoey and Hannah’s conversation.

“It’s not that—” Zoey starts, and Hannah sits straighter.

“Oh, do you have your eyes on someone?” Hannah’s enthusiastic voice carries down the table, and I feel eyes move our way.

Zoey swats at her arm. “No, and can you keep your voice down?”

Hannah relaxes back in her chair, and I take a sip of my beer.

“You know you can tell me, right?” Hannah asks.

“I know.” Zoey’s eyes move around the table, lingering on me for a few seconds longer than anyone else. “I don’t have my eyes on someone.” Her voice sounds pained as she says it, as if she doesn’t believe the words but there’s a reasoning behind why she won’t admit the truth. The notion that Zoey is pining over someone is like a stab to the gut. The idea that I’ve spent so much time being stupid and may have lost any potential chance I could have had with her is devastating. But until she actually says the words she’s interested in someone, I have to do something.

“Let me set you up on one date. If you don’t like the guy, you don’t have to see him again,” Hannah persists.

Zoey sighs. “Fine. One date, but I pick the date, time, and place.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

I listen intently as Zoey and Hannah talk about the details of Zoey’s date. I need to make a plan to stop her from going on it.

CHAPTER 17

Zoey

I’m not excited about this date at all. While I get ready and take in the outfit I chose, I question if I should just cancel and stay in tonight. I chose a Wednesday night, thinking it put less pressure on it over a Friday or Saturday night. A week night saysit’s just dinner, and I don’t plan to be out late.A Friday or Saturday night saysI’m open to more than dinner and don’t need to be home early.

I let out a breath, resolved to go because I promised Hannah I would. I grab my bag and head downstairs. Luckily, Henry and Maggie are out tonight, so I don’t need to explain where I’m going. The restaurant I picked is only a fifteen minute drive away. I’ve been there several times before, so hopefully the familiarity will help me relax.

I give the hostess my name, and she tells me my date is already here. Points for being on time. She leads me to our table, and I take in the man seated there. He’s not much older than me, and his dark-brown hair is styled perfectly. Even sitting, I can tell his suit is perfectly tailored to fit him. I can tell he prides himself on his appearance.

The hostess leaves, and I take a seat across from him.

“You must be Zoey,” he says. There’s something in his tone that rubs me the wrong way, but I push it aside.

“I am, and you’re Charles.”

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