Page 108 of Hold Me Instead
“I know it’s barely eight, and this is our one stop, but I feel like we’re getting a night out on the town.” Sandra raised her glass to acknowledge the group, then took a sip of her old fashioned. She smiled with plum-colored lips, her hair falling in soft curls. A skinny gold bracelet matched the necklace hanging over her black turtleneck. “So good.”
Charlie laughed. “How were the kids?”
“Alex was very focused on the bedtime story he picked for Gram, and Vivi was just excited they had Gram to themselves,” Jay said. His black sweater was a sharp complement to his wife. He took another sip of his smoky cider mocktail, then handed it to Sandra to try.
“Gram was excited too. For time away from her grumpy husband,” Sandra added.
Zachary sat quietly, fingers tapping his pint glass, listening. Hyper-aware of Charlie’s leg against his as they sat side by side, their scrubs a beacon that they’d stayed late at the office once again. He wore a gray zip fleece over his, neutralizing the work image. Charlie had busted out a bulky maroon cardigan that looked soft to the touch. He wanted to test his theory.
“He’s having a difficult time, huh?” Charlie asked.
“That’s putting it lightly,” Sandra said. “He’s struggling with some depression, but neither one of them want to talk about it. He wants to get up and go like he used to, but his energy is completely drained. So he’s frustrated he can’t do much of anything without having to take a break, or a nap. And when Mom tries to help, he claims she’s treating him like a child.”
“She did try to feed him the other day,” Jay said carefully.
Sandra rolled her eyes. “Mom was letting him taste the soup she made! You have to get thefullstory from him.” She turned from herhusband to Zachary and Charlie. “God, he’s ridiculous, going to Jay and trying to drum up support. But he leaves out very pertinent information. He’s like my teenagers at school!”
The comparison launched Sandra into a story about some of her students, and eventually Vivi and Alex, which in turn had them laughing. The knots in Zachary’s neck slowly loosened, and he sat comfortably, arm behind Charlie, his fingers occasionally grazing her shoulder. The sweater reminded him of Maple’s silkiness—though nothing could beat the softest pup’s head in the world. He smoothed the contour of her shoulder, dragged his fingers absentmindedly. It was a natural movement, one he didn’t realize he was doing until he caught the raised eyebrow of his sister across from him, her pointed look clueing him in on his less-than-subtle affection. When Charlie left the table for the restroom, Sandra pounced.
“What is going on with you two?” she hissed.
“Nothing. We’re friends.”
“Friends who can’t seem to keep their hands off each other?”
He winced. He thought it might be obvious that Charlie was placing her hand on his thigh beneath the table, but he had cared little to worry about it. He should’ve known his sister would catch on.
Then there was his shoulder grazing.Much more obvious.
Oh. And brushing her hair over her shoulder. He’d caught himself off guard with that one.
“No use lying to her, man,” Jay said solemnly.
Zachary held out his hands. “It’s nothing serious. We’re enjoying each other’s company.”
“Ah, yes, and while you’re ‘enjoying each other’s company’”—she added air quotes and adopted a classic sister tone for the words—“do you happen to be shoving your tongue down her throat? Because then we have a problem.”
“I don’t want to talk to you about this,” Zachary said.
“We’re all adults, Z. But that woman is like family to us. Not to mention a major part of the practice. Mom will plan your wedding as soon as she finds out, and Dad will make you sign some sort of agreement to ensure you don’t scare her off when things go south.”
Jay mouthedyikes. “That might be jumping ahead a bit, babe,” he said calmly before taking another sip.
“Seriously. And thanks for the vote of confidence, sis.”
“I’m just saying, you’re playing with fire. This is Charlie we’re talking about. This is a huge deal!”
“I know who she is. Like you said, we’re adults. She and I are on the same page.”
“So, what, she knows you’re going to leave soon, and she’s okay with that too? Charlie’s not the type of person to have a fling.”
“I know.”
“She caressodeeply, Z. Like, heart on her sleeve.”
“Yes,I know.” His annoyance spiked. “No concern for me, then? It’s okay for my heart to be broken?”
“Holy shit, is your heart involved?!” Sandra hissed.
