Page 43 of Tinder Embrace
It was hard to recapture the playful mood after Zander's confession, but Gwen shocked me by extending an olive branch and changing the subject. "How are your parents doing, Zander?"
He grinned, the first genuine smile I'd seen since I chose to be a nosy Nelly and asked about their falling out. "Pretty sure they're terrorizing my cousins in Arizona. I expect them home next week."
I grinned too. "They drove their RV down for an extended visit?"
"Yeah," he said, knocking back a gulp of his beer. "Thankfully, it's been all pickle ball, hiking, and drinks by the pool with the other retired folks. They're living their best life."
"Is that your idea of fun in retirement?" I teased, glancing between him and Gwen. "Cruising with the love of your life?"
He winked, raising his glass. "You bet. I’ll be running naked and talking dirty, twenty-four seven."
Gwen snorted, unable to let that pass. "You think anyone is going to want to see your wrinkly butt flashing them when you're their age?"
"Hey," he said, pulling back with a wounded expression. "I'm going to age like a fine wine. I work hard for this body."
He lifted one arm, then the other, kissing his biceps.
"Sweetie, you're going to age more like a dry raisin if you keep forgetting sunscreen."
"What else am I supposed to do, Gwen? We barely see the sun until April," he grumbled.
"That's how you get skin cancer."
"Baby, I didn't know you cared," he crooned, toasting her before downing the last of his beer.
He set his glass down and leaned in toward Gwen. The teasing glint in his eye, the way he and Gwen maintained eye contact. . . oof. I fanned myself, searching the crowd for a distraction. All the eye-forking going on at our table was making me restless. Reminding me of Davis.
Dallas caught my gaze and grinned across the room, and I held back my grimace. The last thing I wanted to do was send the poor guy mixed signals. He was a nice enough man, but there was no way I was dating a student's dad.
"Another round?" Zander asked. "My treat."
Gwen seemed content with Zander at our table, so I nodded. "Thanks."
He slipped away to the bar, and I arched my brow at Gwen. "Anything you want to share with the class?"
"Nope," Gwen drawled, sipping on the dregs of her drink.
"Hmm…" I leaned back, crossing my arms over my chest. "You gonna let that man make your morning coffee anytime soon?" I asked, nodding toward Zander waiting patiently for his turn at the bar with Trina.
Gwen raised her shoulders toward her ears before letting them drop, avoiding my gaze. "Zander has his moments, but he's not to be trusted."
I winced on his behalf. "I mean, he's kind of a goofball, but he's a business owner. He seems harmless enough."
Gwen snorted. "Harmless. Sure."
I examined her closely. "Did he hurt you? Like, forreal?" I was already calculating the weapons at my disposal. After all, what was a little murder between friends?
"Nothing that needs avenging," she promised, raising her hands. "I made a stupid mistake. He was part of that error in judgment. I just want to forget about the whole thing."
"The way you trade barbs doesn't look like forgetting," I chided, feeling like crap for not letting the subject go when her face fell. “Maybe you should try forgiving.”
There was a fine line between accountability and support.
"Sorry, Gwen. I shouldn't push."
"No, you're right. I can't seem to escape Zander. It's the downside of a town as freaking small as ours, especially when our businesses are next door. It's like every second is a reminder of my embarrassment."
"Gwen, we all make mistakes. We've hung out long enough for you to witness some of mine. Remember that time, what was it, six or seven days ago, when I crashed my hot air balloon? Yeah, that was a doozy. Embarrassment usually fades. Is what you feel around Zander really embarrassment, or is a better name fear… or shame? Either way, I say cut yourself some slack."
