Page 98 of Hold Me Instead
“Yeah, it’s not like that.”
“That’s what they always say. Why don’t you both join me for a drink? If it’s so low pressure and all?”
“I don’t know,” Zachary said, walking toward the guest room while he tugged his shirt over his head.
He did know. He liked the sound of that. Hanging out with one of his best friends, having him meet the woman in his life.
Except,wasshe the woman in his life?
Would you be trying to screw over the woman in your life by buying a business out from under her?And lying about it?
His conversation with his father hadn’t continued at Sandra’s, and by the time he’d dropped them home, Daniel had been exhausted. There was a lot left to discuss.
The doorbell rang just as he closed the final buttons on his dark green button-down, but no amount of hustle could beat Jordan. The man must’ve been standing there, waiting.
“Hey! You must be Charlie,” Jordan said, gesturing into the house. “Come on in.”
“I am. Jordan?” Charlie said.
Zachary’s heart raced as she came into view, her hair loose as it brushed her winter coat. She shook Jordan’s hand, her smile genuine, warm. Jordan’s was equally warm. Suddenly he hated being left out of the moment.
“Hey,” he said, going up to her with a kiss on the cheek.
She turned, her eyes wide in surprise behind thin blue wire frames, smiling as the pink of her cheeks spread. “Hey,” she said. She held out a round dish. “This is for you. Well, for your family. My cousin made it and thought you all might want it.”
He tipped his head to the side with a smile. “But you brought it to me. That’s dangerous, you know,” he teased. He peeked under the foil. “Pecan?”
“God, that smells good,” Jordan said.
Zachary moved the pan away from his friend’s nose.
“Yeah, well, last night didn’t go quite as planned. Hence, me bringing it to you today.” She twisted her hands together. “Will you guys eat it?”
“Yes,” he and Jordan said at the same time.
“Believe me,” Zachary added.
“Oh, I’m convinced,” Charlie said, her eyes sparkling.
“My mom and sister made a shit ton of food anyway, so they’re all just fine.” Zachary made his way toward the kitchen. “Want a slice?” he asked her, pulling out silverware while Jordan grabbed plates.
“You’re going to have some now?” she asked.
“Why not?” Zachary asked.
She laughed. “I’m good. Still recovering from mine last night.”
“So listen, Charlie,” Jordan said, already digging into his piece. “Shit, that’s good. We were gonna go to Whiskey Nights for a drink. Want to join?”
Zachary narrowed his eyes at his friend and got a smirk in response.
“Oh, I love that place!”
“Yeah?” Jordan smiled. “My sister owns it.”
Her mouth dropped open. “You’re kidding. We’ve been crushing on it since it opened.”
“Well, Mel will be there tonight, so you can meet her.”
