Page 112 of The Moment They Can't Forget

“He’s your friend, Sawyer. Put everything aside and call him. If you’re not brave enough to do that, then at least send him a text.”

“Have you texted him?”

“I don’t have his number,” Zoe said.

Sawyer pulled out his phone, and his fingers moved over the screen. Seconds later, hers made a noise.

“You do now.”

“You’re giving me his number?”

“Yes. Use it.”

She stared at her big brother like he had an eye in the middle of his forehead. “You don’t want me with him, and you’re giving me his number?”

“Look. I’m not always right, okay, and Birdie is still really frosty with me, and I hate that. So I’m working on this whole JD and Zoe thing, if it happens.” He looked like he was in pain. “But if it doesn’t, that’s okay too,” he added. “I miss him,” her brother then said in a gruff voice. “We talk all the time, and if not that, we’re sending each other rude GIFs or emojis.”

“I haven’t known him as long as you, but…” Her words fell away.

“You care about him and miss him too?”

She nodded, her throat suddenly thick with tears. Her brother moved around the counter and hugged her close.

“Do you love him, Zoe?”

“Yes.”

His chest rose and fell on an enormous sigh. “Okay, well, I’ll try not to kill him if something comes of it, which it better if you love him.”

“I’d be grateful,” Zoe said.

Sawyer released her and pulled out his phone again. She then watched him call JD. He didn’t answer, and it went to voicemail. Sawyer left a message.

“Hey, we need to talk. Call me.”

“Will he?” Zoe asked when he’d pocketed his phone again.

“I don’t know. He’s as stubborn as me.”

“God save us all.”

Chapter31

JD stood at the end of the long tree-lined driveway that led to his parents’ house. He’d spent the last six days taking tests to see if he was a compatible kidney donor after approaching his father’s doctor. He still wasn’t sure why he’d done it, but he had. Unfortunately, the long hours of testing had given him thinking time.

He missed Sawyer and Zoe. His friend was like a brother to him, and somewhere between Lyntacky and Denver, he’d acknowledged he loved Zoe.

He hadn’t spoken to his own family yet either. His father had to know he was here, because no doubt his golfing buddy and doctor told him. He hadn’t contacted Henry yet either, but that was about to change.

Sawyer had rung him and left a message saying they needed to talk. He hadn’t returned the call. He would, just not yet. Brody, Ryder, and Dan Duke had also rung him. Surprisingly he’d also had a call from Klaus Becker, and he wasn’t sure how he’d got JD’s number. He’d not taken any of the calls because he wasn’t ready to talk.

He would be soon, but not yet. He needed to do this first.

The ache inside him to see and talk to Zoe was growing. He missed her, and it was a revelation to JD to know that his happiness depended now on another person. He could see her if he closed his eyes. Feel her body pressed to his and smell her scent.

He loved Zoe Duke.

He’d got used to that now. It no longer sent panic radiating through him, but he was also no closer to working out what he should do about Zoe.

---