Page 79 of Hold Me Instead
“Some?”
“Not all.”
Ned’s smile was too wide—perfect for a second set of teeth. “I’m gathering which way you lean.”
Zachary shrugged. “As you can see, we have a large community supporting us already. We don’t need you tosaveus.”
“Your father might have a different view on it.”
“My father and I often do.”
Ned’s nod was slow. “Well, I am sorry I missed him. If you could let him know I stopped by, I’d appreciate it. When he’s feeling up to it, I’d love to chat with him over the phone at least. I’m not sure when I’ll be back in the area.”
Zachary clenched his jaw, released a quiet breath through his nose. “Of course.”
They stood at the same time, Zachary stretching his height as they did the perfunctory handshake. He didn’t like to use his stature against people, but Ned didn’t seem like “people.”
“Cute event, by the way,” Ned said, gesturing around them. “Nice to see such great turnout in this weather.”
Zachary’s nod jerked. He watched Ned meander through the booths, even stopping by the adoption tent, as though he was a participant instead of a leech. He scrubbed a hand over his mouth as he mumbled, “Fuck.”
“Dr. Lee?”
He sighed, straightened, and turned. “Dr. Zachary Lee, yes.”
The woman in front of him grinned, rubbing her sable-brown hands together for warmth. A rust-orange silk-and-knit headband showed off a knot of curls and dangling earrings that swayed as she nodded. “You’re the one I’m looking for. I’m Cleo, Charlie’s friend.” She held out her hand, metal from skinny rings cool among her chilled, slender fingers.
“Cleo,” he repeated. “Right, you have a shop on Main?”
“I do. Welcome back. It’s great you could attend this year, especially for Charlie. I was worried she’d overdo it what with everything.”
“She still might have. I don’t know that I helped very much.”
“She’s interacting with people instead of running around, so that’s a good sign. And a lot less stressed than a few weeks ago.”
“Good,” he murmured. Somehow, his eyes had found Charlie, showing off a vendor’s bandanas to a client and their husky.
“I have something for your parents, if you don’t mind?”
Zachary turned at the amused tone, finding Cleo grinning as she held out a small kraft bag. Her eyes darted to where his had been, then back.
“It’s some local tea I know they like, and one of your dad’s favorite candles.”
Zachary blinked rapidly. “He has a favorite candle?” He noted the sticker on the bag with the shop’s name and pulled out the candle and studied it as though it held secrets.
Cleo shrugged. “Sometimes your parents mix it up and try new ones, but I figured old reliables would be best right now.”
As sweet as the image sounded, it conflicted with childhood memories of his dad coming home from work after staying late, onlyto recount the day with his mom or go into the basement to research solutions for his patients.
“Right, okay. I’ll make sure to give it to them. That’s very kind of you.”
She shrugged. “It’s the least I could do. I was relieved to hear his recovery’s going well.”
“Thanks.” He paused, fiddled with the handles. “So my mom comes in often?”
“Both your parents. I’d met your dad briefly over the years, but when Charlie told him and Jeanie about my shop, they came to the grand opening to show support. They’ve been regulars ever since, it’s very sweet.”
He rubbed his chest, a pressure the weight of Maple’s head setting in. His parents had always loved attending games, watching him and Sandra compete through high school. His dad had missed a few but made a huge effort in spite of his work schedule. And his mom had adjusted her hours at the bank, rarely missing an event. A memory long forgotten returned though, of his parents making a point to attend some of Jordan’s major track and field meets, cheering in the stands alongside Zachary.
