Page 24 of Unexpectedly In Love

“I have a pregnant wife and two kids, and crazy sisters in law. I’m a ball of fucking nerves.”

Before I could answer Paige perches her neck on my shoulder. “Honey, is this Zac?”

Zac barks a laugh. If I didn’t know better, I would think my friend was hiding something. “Paige, how could I forget? How are you?”

Paige comes from behind my shoulder and extends her hand upward waiting for Zac to kiss it.

Zac observes her hand with the flashing diamond ring, then at me. “Ahhh, fiancé. When did that happen?” He begins to shake it.

“Last night…” Paige rambles on. I glance at Zac, knowing that my old roommate is going to be bored of this discussion soon.

“I wish he was more romantic, but you know E-baby. Romance is not his thing,” Paige chuckles.

“E-baby?” Zac asks with a teasing smirk spreading across his face.

“Paige this is Zac, Zac this is Paige,” I made a quick introduction.

“Enchante, Paige. Welcome to Charleswood.” Zac may seem intimidating to some. His height combined with his strength and his full beard does give him a certain allure. But he is a complete teddy bear.

“You were saying you were going inside your office?” I interjected before Paige strikes up another conversation.

“Oh yes give me one minute, let me answer this text,” Zac pulls his phone out and beings to type.

I glance back at Paige. She is everything a man could desire. Beautiful, elegant, graceful, intelligent, but I am still not attracted to the woman I was about to marry and have children with.

“All right, let’s go in. Sage is not feeling her best so she went upstairs,” Zac says. “Paige can…”

“Stay out here. Is that okay with you?” I knew it wasn’t, but she was not brave enough to say it.

A small old lady with thinning silver hair took Paige’s hand.

“Aw you have met my aunt her name is Eleanor Gable?—”

“I already met this beautiful lady. Come this way. We are about to play some games at the tables.” Ms. Gables pulls her away.

“This way.” Zac walks to the front of the house and leads me up his slate stairs. I stop to admire the front timber beams that is supported by stone pillars.

“You like?” Zac opens the front door.

“I do.”

“It’s a craftsman home. I got for a steal of a deal. After we got married we made a few renovations,” Zac opens the door and allows me to come in.

The foyer is flanked by the playroom and dining room.

The smell of fresh laundry and spice greets me. “I can tell a woman lives here.”

“What gave it away the white pillows, the basket of folded blankets or the plants?” Zac crosses his arm over his chest.

“Definitely the pillows. I don’t think you ever slept on one in our dorm. It feels like home,” I reply.

Zac pokes his chest out with pride. “It sure does. This was my study now the kid’s playroom. I renovated the back screened in porch and made it into my office.”

“Nice.”

We passed the great room, with a huge fireplace and a copper and white marble kitchen.

“I like this, it’s a perfect kitchen for a chef.” I spread my hands across the cold marble.

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