Page 38 of The Art of Falling in Love with Your Enemy
SIXTEEN
Etta
When I stand here and look outside, I have the perfect view of the lake whose tranquil waters glint seafoam green today, the woods which surround us, and of Zac and his team of stoic police officers (and Lucy)…bonding over an egg relay race.
Even though the last twenty-four hours have been pretty tough, I have a feeling of satisfaction inside as I clean up and put everything away. Glancing at my watch, I know they’ll be gone in a few hours and then I can go home and sleep in my bed. I’ve worked one event for Amelia and I’m already worn out.
And then there’s Zac. My fingertips fly to my lips, thinking about his kiss last night. His lips were so soft, and when I close my eyes, I swear I can still feel their soft heat on mine. I softly groan, closing my eyes and letting myself float back to that moment.
Opening my eyes again, I shake it off and go back to wiping down the counters. I’ve been such a porcupine lately, I’m honestly in shock that Zac and I even kissed. I mean, he’s Zac Wright. He could have anyone, like Lucy. She’s annoying, but she’s like a police version of Barbie. Yes, she annoys me, but I can admit it’s because she was flirting with Zac.
Which brings me back to my feelings for him…where has all of this come from?
I’m still working out the semantics when I notice a car making its way up the long driveway from the main road to the campground. It’s a weekday, so it could be someone coming to see Amelia, but she would have warned me if there was a meeting. It won’t be a camper because we put up a sign saying there isn’t any space.
Throwing a tea towel over my shoulder, I head outside to greet the visitor. I watch as the white Chevrolet enters the parking lot, clearly a rental. I wave, trying to provide a beacon for what I’m determining must be a weary traveler in need of some advice.
But when the car rolls to a stop and I see who’s behind the steering wheel, I’m ready to douse my light with water and tell this guy to take a long walk off a short dock.
Spinning on my heel, I hear the car door open and shut and the sound of his feet crunching on the gravel as he jogs to my side.
“Etta, don’t walk away. I told you I wanted to talk.”
I feel a vise-like grip on my forearm, forcing me to whip around. Glaring at the hand, I drag my eyes up to meet his. “Steve, you need to let go of me—now. See all of those people having fun down by the lake? They’re the local police.”
Steve drops his hand from my arm like it’s a hot potato. I know he’s not here to hurt me—he’s not the type—but sometimes you need to be strong with people like him. People that don’t take no for an answer.
“Etta, I want us to fix this. I’m here to fix us.”
“There’s no us to fix, we’re divorced. But there’s the fact you’re suing me. I guess if you want to fix that you need to…oh, I don’t know. Drop the lawsuit?”
“Etta, the idea for the business was ours. We started it together, we grew it together.”
“No, we didn’t, Steve. Your amnesia is perfectly timed when it comes to the facts, isn’t it?”
“I’m not trying to take it from you, I just think we’re better served if I make it into a chain.”
I shake my head. “I don’t want to talk about this right now. You kind of ruined things the minute you had me served. Have your lawyer call mine, and we’ll go from there.”
Backing away, I start to head inside, but Steve appears in front of me, holding his hands out to stop me. “Come on. Can we have a coffee at least. For old times’ sake?”
I start to shake my head, but when I do, Steve’s arms open wide and he closes in for an embrace. I feel my shoulders hike up to my ears as his arms wrap around my body, my hands at my sides.
So awkward.
We’re not here long before I hear someone clear their throat. Grateful for the reprieve, I jumped away from Steve, surprised to find Zac standing in front of us.
“I was looking for you.” Zac’s eyes bounce from me to Steve and back again. “All good?”
“We’re fine,” Steve interrupts, stepping forward and holding his hand out to shake Zac’s. “Steve Shaw, Etta’s ex-husband.”
Zac’s gaze slides to mine, and he winks. Suddenly, I feel a warmth as his hand wraps around mine. He holds out his other hand to shake Steve’s. “I’m Zac. And I’m not Etta’s ex anything.”
Steve’s face glows various shades of red as I bite my lip, trying not to let the laughter escape that’s building inside.
“I’d like to say it’s a pleasure, but…” Steve looks at Zac’s hand, but ignores it. His eyes flash with irritation as they rock between me and Zac, with a pit stop of him staring at my hand in Zac’s.
“Etta, what’s it going to take for me to get time alone with you?” Steve’s tone is clipped, his jaw tense.
