Page 33 of Walk on the Wilde Side
"Well, I'm glad to have you sort of on my team."
"Sure thing. Oh, and one more thing, and it's kind of a biggie. I think Zander likes you. Now, before you say anything, I have some big qualifications. I predicted that Joey Burns liked Zoey Jacobson, and now they're a couple."
"So, Joey and Zoey," I say with a laugh.
"I know. It's almost as if they were destined to be together. But the point is, I'm good at seeing these things, you know, crushes and true love and all that, and my Uncle Z has the hots for you. I thought he might throw that dandy-looking guy right through the sandwich shop window today. Is he your boyfriend? Oops, didn't mean to call him dandy-looking. He's handsome in that sweet tooth kind of way."
I chuckle. "No, it's all right. Dandy-looking is pretty spot on, but you're wrong about your Uncle Z. We're just friends. We've known each other forever, and he doesn't like Dane because he's working for Dane at a jobsite."
"Aha, but which came first the chicken or the egg?" she asks.
"You've lost me, Rio."
She giggles. "Did he stop liking Dane because he was working for him, or did he stop liking him because he found out you were dating Dane and then he decided he didn't like the guy?"
"Hmm, that was a little confusing, but I think I can clear it up. He didn't like Dane from the start. You know your uncle, he's not exactly easy to warm up to."
"Nice way to put it. Well, I stand by my prediction that you and Zander will end up together."
I laugh. "All right, but I'm afraid this one isn't going to be as victorious as your Zoey, Joey prediction. Besides, Nevada and Zander don't sound nearly as poetic together."
"I don't know. The two names could be formed into one of those cool nicknames like the celebrities have where they combine both names to make one cool one. Zevada? Or Nander? Never mind. I'll work on it. Gotta go. Thanks again for the cookies."
"And thank you for the fun conversation, Rio."
I hang up and my smile seems to be permanently branded onto my face. Jameson and Indi are raising an incredible kid. Even if she is far off on her romantic notions.
fifteen
Zander
Indi invited me to dinner. Jameson didn't know about the invite until I followed him home and pulled up behind him.
He's standing next to his truck and holding out his arms in question as I walk up the driveway. Jameson bought one of the nicest houses in Rockhurst from the parents of his friend, Zach. It has an amazing view of the ocean, and it's pretty fucking sweet. I'm happy with the smaller cabin at the ranch because I take care of the horses, and the place has some good childhood memories. Those are scarce after growing up with my dad. Not memories in general but the good ones. There are plenty of really fucking bad ones too, but I try not to let them creep into my thoughts much.
"Indi invited me for dinner. She said, and I quote, 'I made a gargantuan tray of chicken enchiladas, and we'll never be able to eat them, so we need help from you, the king of all eaters.' All right, that's close to the quote. She might have called me the monster of all eaters, but I like king better."
Rio is at the door as we walk inside. She's giving me a smile that seems to hold some kind of secret, like she knows something that she's dying to tell me. Instead, she gives her dad a quick hug and reaches out to hug me but stops and scrunches up her face. "No offense, Uncle Z, but you're kind of gross and sweaty. Thought you might dress up."
I look at Jameson. "I wasn't told it was a formal enchilada dinner."
Indi hears our voices in the entryway and pokes her head around. She gives me the same face scrunch.
Again, I look at Jameson. "Certainly no need to take offense," I say.
Indi steps into the entryway with a frown. "I was hoping you'd—I don't know—shower?"
"Yeah, you know I think I'll do just that, but thanks for the invite." I turn to leave, but Indi lunges forward and grabs my hand.
"No, never mind. You can shower here, and maybe Jameson has a shirt he can lend you."
"Uh, I'm not sacrificing my shirt to the Hulk. He'll stretch it all to hell. What the heck is going on here?" Jameson asks.
Indi and Rio exchange smiles. "Indi's invited a friend from work. She's very cute. I saw her photo and gave her my seal of approval, and she makes good money and she surfs and sometimes rides a motorcycle. Oh, and she has two border collies named Petey and Smith." Rio turns to Indi. "Did I forget anything?"
Indi smiles and smooths her hand over Rio's hair. "Nope, you didn't miss one detail. Except her name, which is Deidre. Now, before you blow your Zander stack, just meet her. Nothing needs to come from it, but she saw me scrolling through some pictures, and she saw you and was intrigued."
"Yeah, I'm pretty fucking intriguing. Indi, I wish you'd mentioned the blind date part of the night."
