Page 44 of You Chive Me Crazy
“I’d like to see that,” Hank said. “Hey, Lucas, do you think—”
“No!” I said.
Marty came back in the room with some mealworms, luring Spinderella into her box. “There you go.” He picked up my towel off the floor, shook it a few times, and handed it to Zoe as my hands were currently occupied. “And thereyougo.”
“Okay, people, the show is over now,” I said, edging over to the dresser to put Zoe down. She handed me the towel, and I wrapped it around my body, then tied a triple knot in the back so it stayed on for the rest of my life. “If you all wouldn’t mind, I’d appreciate it if you could give us some privacy.”
“Just my luck,” Kay said, frowning. “Always a day late and a dollar short.”
They all filed out, and Betsy closed the door behind her.
“I’m going to be scarred for life after that little episode,” I said.
“You? What about me?” Zoe immediately said as she climbed down from the top of the dresser. “There was a humongous hairy spider just feet away, ready to pounce at any moment. And you forgot the first rule about sauntering around in the buff.”
“That was more like a samba,” I defended, starting to laugh at the ridiculousness of what had just happened. “And that wasn’t planned. I was coming out of the shower, and you showed up out of nowhere. You were supposed to be out getting some fresh air. Was Mother Nature all out?”
“You expect me to believe that?” she asked, her eyes twinkling, showing me exactly how amused she was at this whole scenario.
“No. I don’t,” I said. “Because you don’t seem to believe anything that comes out of my mouth.”
“About that . . .” Zoe sighed. “We need to talk. Put some clothes on, please.”
I grinned. “You can’t handle me like this. Admit it.”
She shook her head, looking slightly amused. “Do you have to be so cocky?” She grimaced. “Okay, poor choice of words.”
I laughed, then grabbed my clothes before heading to the bathroom to get dressed.
A few minutes later, I came out and sat on the reading chair.
Zoe was quiet, looking out at the lake.
“It’s a gorgeous day,” I said.
She seemed to be zoned out, but then turned around to face me. “I’m sorry.”
That caught me by surprise.
Tears rimmed her eyes, and I knew she was sincere.
Before I could say anything, she added, “I ran into Betsy downstairs, and we chatted. She helped me see how I completely overreacted with you, and that I wasn’t seeing the situation for what it was. Yes, I hated you with a passion after we got kicked out of the institute. I’m not going to lie. I one-hundred percent believed you had ruined my life and my dreams, and in more ways than one, because I’d also lost a good friend. You. That hurt twice as much, if I’m being honest.”
Wow. I wasn’t expecting that either.
“But Betsy was right,” Zoe said. “I love my life now. I wouldn’t change one thing about it. The thought of working long hours at a stressful restaurant all day is nothing but a turnoff, and no amount of money could ever change that. I’m my own boss. I make a living doing what I love. Yes, you’ve made some mistakes that affected my life in a big way, but everything worked out. And now, I’m close to turning my business into a national food truck franchise. Imagine that!”
“I think it’s amazing,” I said. “And you’re going to do it—I believe in you. I always have.”
“Thank you.” Zoe took a step closer. “It’s time to put all this behind us, because I’m grateful for how things turned out. And this is going to sound even crazier when I say it, but thank you for getting me kicked out of culinary school.”
“You’re right—completelyloco.” I chuckled and jumped to my feet, grabbing her by the hand and pretending I had to whisk her away. “I need to get you back to the hospital.”
“I’m serious,” Zoe said, pulling me back.
“I know, but still, I’m sorry you had to go through all that pain and drama because of me.” I was still holding onto her hand, but didn’t want to let it go. “Permission to hug you, fully clothed.”
“Granted,” she said, and immediately fell into my arms.
