Page 99 of Hold Me Instead
Charlie clapped her hands, and Zachary realized he’d go wherever she wanted.
Which is how he found himself in his car twenty minutes later, with Charlie in the passenger seat, as they followed Jordan to the bar. Holiday music played softly in the car, their hands twining together.
A buzz filled the air as they drove through the village, shoppers starting on checklists and treating themselves in the process, but they somehow found parking not too far from the bar.
With his hands in his pockets, Zachary nudged his body against Charlie’s on their short walk. “You’re quiet today,” he said.
“So are you,” she countered, offering a small smile.
Their companionable silence was as familiar as it was new. Though his thoughts were preoccupied with his dad’s news, his desire to be near her overruled any warning of how close they were becoming.
He held open the door to Whiskey Nights, and Jordan beckoned them over to the bar.
“What’ll we have to drink?” Jordan asked, waving over a bartender.
“Mel doesn’t make you mix the drinks when you show up early?” Zachary asked.
“Nah,” Jordan said. “She knows better than to squeeze more time from me.”
“Jordan’s a nurse at the children’s hospital during the week,” Zachary said.
“Have you told her nothing about me? I’m hurt.” He pinched his lips together and drew an imaginary tear path with his finger.
Charlie smiled. “He doesn’t make a habit out of sharing stories of his charming friends. I think he’s trying to hide something.”
“See, she already called youcharming,” Zachary muttered.
“Well, that’s because she can see it. Though, next to you, I’m not surprised,” Jordan said. “He’s gotten a bit surly in his old age.”
“I’ve noticed. He was much more easygoing in college,” Charlie added.
“You knew him in college too? How did we not meet?”
Zachary rolled his eyes. “She and I worked together at the clinic. You know this, Jordan.”
Jordan winked. “Oh, I know.”
Charlie blushed, and Zachary straightened in his seat, looking at Jordan over her head.
Jordan laughed.
“Well, look at you, having the time of your life over here. Enjoying my fine establishment before I put you to work, huh?” A woman with dark brown skin propped her arms on the bar across from them, the rust-colored curls of her Afro catching light from the Edison bulbs around the bar. She grinned, a deep red lipstick pairing well with her silky black sleeveless top, the V-neck dipping low. “Oh my God, you did it, you got Zachary Lee in here!”
“Hey, Mel,” Zachary said as she cut around the counter.
“Give me a hug!” She wrapped her arms around him as she rocked back and forth.
“You look great.”
“Aw, stop,” she said with a pat to his shoulder. “Hi, I’m Mel.” She stuck out her hand to Charlie, who grasped it.
“Charlie. It’s so nice to meet you. My friends and I love your place,” Charlie gushed.
“Thank you,” Mel said. “Very happy to hear that.”
“She was raving about it before we got here. Couldn’t get her to stop,” Jordan said.
“Whatever.” Mel nudged Jordan’s shoulder as she went back behind the bar. “Alright, Zachary, fill me in. Jordan’s so happy to have you home. Though, I know it wasn’t planned. How’s your dad?”
