King of the Friend Zone (Power of the Matchmaker)

by Pratt, Sheralyn

Grace:

  From?

  Esme:

  Myself

  Grace:

  Vague much?

  Esme hesitated as she chose her next message.

  Esme:

  Hunter’s on a date and

  I can’t message him.

  Grace:

  Why not?

  Again, Esme picked her words carefully.

  Esme:

  Momentary ban from

  Jon. But I’m used to

  getting the play-by-

  plays when Hunter’s

  out. I keep almost

  texting him to see

  how it’s going.

  Grace:

  ¿¿¿You’re banned from

  texting Hunter???

  Esme sighed, already knowing where her friend would stand on the issue. Still, there was no reason to avoid telling her.

  Esme:

  No texts, no calls,

  no contact.

  Grace:

  Ummmmm??????

  Esme:

  I know. It’s temporary

  until Jon calms down

  about Hunter’s hottie

  factor.

  Grace:

  Ridiculous.

  I’m hot. Can you still

  talk to me?

  Esme:

  Duh. Of course.

  Grace:

  What about Ash? He’s

  majorly hot.

  Esme rolled her eyes before typing back.

  Esme:

  He’s also your husband.

  Grace:

  Doesn’t make him any

  less hot.

  Esme:

  Fact.

  Grace’s next text took a little longer to arrive.

  Grace:

  I don’t have to tell you

  that Jon’s treading in

  red flag territory, right?

  Esme groaned, glancing up as Jon peppered the chicken.

  Esme:

  It’s not like that.

  Grace:

  That’s what all the

  kept women say…

  The accusation rubbed Esme more than a little wrong because Jon wasn’t being irrational. Not really. Grace had to see that.

  Esme:

  And if Ash asked

  you not to have

  contact with an

  attractive and

  available man?

  Grace:

  Philip and I were

  ENGAGED once and

  Ash still lets us have

  lunch now and then.

  Esme:

  Well… Jon isn’t there

  yet. Hopefully, soon.

  Grace:

  If you say so. But

  it’s my job as your

  friend to point out

  that he loses major

  points with me

  over this.

  Esme smiled at her friend’s ever-present fire.

  Esme:

  Noted. Glad to have

  you watching my

  back.

  Grace:

  Always.

  “We’re looking at about five minutes here,” Jon said from the grill.

  “Perfect,” Esme replied and looked back to her phone.

  Esme:

  Can you distract me

  for 5 more minutes?

  Grace:

  What are friends for?

  “Who are you texting?” Jon asked, suddenly beside her. When had he walked over?

  “Grace,” Esme said, tilting the screen away from him.

  “Yeah? Tell her I say hi.”

  “Will do,” Esme said, eyeing the grease-covered tongs he was holding over the carpet. “Maybe keep those outside, and not in the living room?”

  He glanced at the tongs. “Of course. I guess I was distracted.”

  The comment was bait, but Esme decided to take it. “Distracted by?”

  He waited until he was back out on the patio to respond. “I think I should talk to Hunter. I know you already did, but the more I think about it, the more I think everything would be better coming from me.”

  “No,” Esme said without hesitation. “That would be a very bad idea.”

  “Why?”

  “Because it’s already been done,” Esme said, trying for tact. “You repeating it all won’t help anything. If anything, it will just make Hunter mad.”

  Jon flipped the chicken and checked its cook. “I’m sure you’ve said everything that needs to be said, but I think he might hear it better from another man.”

  Okay, that was outright offensive. “Jon, you’re treading on thin ice here. Hunter’s my best friend. I’m pretty sure I know how to talk to him.”

  He tensed at her use of the term best friend and Esme mentally chastised herself. She needed to start using that phrase only when referring to Grace.

  “But still…” he hedged.

  “I’m saying no, Jon,” Esme said, sending one last message to Grace. “Nothing you say to Hunter will make anything any better.”

  “I just think—”

  “Jon,” she warned. “Let it go. It’s done.”

  He took a breath then moved the chicken off the grill and onto a plate. “If you say so. Dinner is ready.”

  And none too soon. Esme quickly changed the subject to something they both agreed on and focused on having a good night.

  Chapter 23

  Hunter didn’t like how Shauna was looking at him as they sat in Lou’s office to talk about Kenny’s progress…or lack thereof. She looked insightful, and that couldn’t end well for him.

  “Everything okay with you, Hunter?”

  “Yep.”

  He would love it if that could be the end of that, but once again, the look in Shauna’s eyes told him that she wasn’t done probing. “Are you sure?”

  “Uh-huh.” Only a conversation change could save him from her female intuition, it seemed. “So what’s the update on Kenny?”

  “Well, he hates you.”

  “Obviously.”

  “Obviously,” she agreed with a small smile. “He’s also informed his latest judge that you should be investigated for child abuse.”

  Hunter perked up at that. “Which one?”

  “Andrews.”

  “Nice,” Hunter said with relief. “I bet that went over well.”

  “Yeah. Kenny is now court ordered to come here twice a week for as long as you’re willing to have him.”

  Hunter shook his head. “It’s like that kid is only capable of backfires. How can he think he’s so smart when nothing ever goes his way?”

  “Because the world is against him,” Shauna said easily. “He’s doing everything right. It’s the world that won’t stop picking on him.”

  “That darn world,” Hunter grumbled. “Such a bully.”

  “You know it,” Shauna agreed, matching his playful tone before getting back to business. “But that’s why I’m here. Are you up for two times a week, maybe all the way up until Kenny turns eighteen?”

  Hunter shrugged. “Pretty sure I’m not going anywhere.”

  She fidgeted with her folder, avoiding his eyes, which was odd for her. “Still. It’s quite a time commitment, and I know you come to the gym because you want your own workouts.”

  “I can come other days or workout before or after seeing Kenny,” Hunter said. “It’s all good. I’m sorry that the days can’t be consistent because of my work schedule. I know how important that is with foster kids—predictability.”

  “Yeah, but twice a week is a good place to start, and he already knows you’re a fireman with a variable work schedule. Heck, he probably knows your schedule better than you do now.”

  “Probably,” Hunter agreed.

  “So I can report back to Judge Andrews that you’re in?”

  “For as long as the two of you think I’m doing good, sure.”

  Shauna chuckled to herself. “Well, Kenny’s attitude certainly hasn’t changed any, but I think he’s t
oo tired and sore after your workouts together to get into much trouble. He doesn’t say anything, but…”

  “He’s feeling it,” Hunter said, knowing it was true. He was working the kid hard, and Kenny was too stubborn to stretch before or after a workout. Unlike other humans, he didn’t need to do silly things like stretching so Hunter had no doubt the kid was sore for at least a day after their workouts. Probably longer.

  “Okay,” Shauna said, looking relieved. “If you’ll send me your schedule for the next month and highlight the days you can meet with Kenny, I’ll report that to Andrews. I’ll also take care of the reports on his progress. No need for paperwork from you.”

  Hunter hesitated before answering, wondering if Shauna knew he was dyslexic and what a pain written reports were for him. He let it go, though. In the end, he didn’t have to do paperwork and that totally worked for him.

  “I’ll get you my schedule by end of day tomorrow,” he promised.

  “Perfect,” Shauna said, standing. “If no one’s told you yet today, you’re amazing.”

  Hunter shook his head as he stood and walked with her to the door. If she only knew. “Shockingly, you’re the first person today.”

  She actually blushed, which was weird. But again, he let it go. “Well, it’s true.”

  “Thanks. You too, Shauna. If things turn around for Kenny, it will be all because of you. You’re making a difference.”

  “I’m trying,” she sighed.

  “Which is more than anyone else on the planet is doing for him,” he said, giving her shoulder a squeeze as they reached the door. “You care and that matters.”

  “Are you going to make me cry again?” she asked, not entirely looking like she was joking.

  “I hope not,” Hunter said, releasing her shoulder and opening the door for her. “I’m about as comforting as a doorstop when it comes to tears.”

  “Not true,” she said softly.

  “Yeah? Well, you don’t know me very well. I promise it’s true.” He gestured out the door. “See? All you had to do was bring them up and I’m showing you the exit.”

  That got a smile out of her. Good. Shauna had enough things in her life to make her frown. If he could make her smile along the way, Hunter considered that a win.

  At least somebody didn’t think he was a jerk today.

  “Oh, one more thing,” Hunter said as she was making her way down to the main level. “Can you tell me Kenny’s birthday when you have a chance to look it up?”

  “October 27th,” she replied without hesitation. “Just over a month out.”

  “Thanks,” Hunter said. “I’ll see if there’s something to be done about that.”

  She gave him a quick nod. “Thanks, Hunter.” Then she left and Hunter couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d left something unsaid.

  Chapter 24

  Stepping from a hotter-than-average September afternoon into the vineyard’s reception room brought a sigh of relief out of Esme. The old wine cellar was like a cave, somehow magically 30 degrees colder than the rest of the world around it. And classier.

  The wine barrels and displays used to attract tourists during the day made for a rustic setting that was now filled with tables and elegant settings. It was maybe a location more suited for a wedding dinner, but Esme’s parents had never been ones to go small. Neither was Jon.

  If you’re going to do something, do it right, was one of his favorite mantras. It was one of the topics he and her parents could talk about endlessly, which made the vineyard a perfect spot to introduce Jon to everyone. Maybe Esme might have opted for something less formal if she’d been given the choice, but what was done was done.

  She might as well enjoy it.

  “Oh, honey, you’re here,” her mom said, exiting the members-only tasting area. “I’m so glad you planned to be ahead of traffic. I just got an alert that there’s been an accident causing delays. That’s going to set us back a bit on our timeline, so we’re juggling a bit here.”

  Esme looked around, not seeing anyone else. “We?”

  Right then, Jon stepped out of the wine tasting area. “Looks like I finally beat you somewhere for once,” he said, stepping forward and pressing a kiss to her lips.

  “Don’t get used to it,” she teased, kissing him back. “So what are we thinking?”

  “Well, we have food and wine covered, obviously,” her mom said. “But people will get restless if we have a delayed start while we wait for detained guests.”

  Jon slipped his hand into hers. “Your mom was thinking that we could set up something for people to look at, and I thought maybe we could compile a bunch of pictures from our phones and find a projector. Then people can look at pictures of us together over the past few months and burn some time that way.”

  “Such a good idea,” her mom said. “We were going to start calling around to see if we could source the equipment locally.”

  “I’ve got it covered,” Jon said with confidence. “You two see to all the things you were originally planning on doing right now. I’ll take care of the pictures and projector.”

  “You’re a dream, Jon,” her mother cooed as Jon sent Esme a covert smile before pressing another quick kiss to her lips.

  “Catch you ladies in a few,” Jon said before heading back out into the afternoon heat.

  “I mean it, Esme,” her mom said, giving her arm an approving squeeze. “You’ve hooked yourself a dream come true with that one. I was wary when you introduced us, but Jon really is a catch.”

  Esme smiled. “I know, Mom. You raised me to have excellent taste.”

  “Didn’t I, though?” her mom preened. “Which is why I need you to help me double-check our pairings. It’s not too late to make adjustments, if you want to.”

  “I’m certain everything you chose is perfect, Mom,” Esme said, glancing to the door. “If you don’t mind, I think I’ll actually go talk to Jon for a second. He probably needs pictures off of my phone for whatever he’s doing.”

  “Excellent point,” her mom said, heading back to the tasting room and the employees that were helping her there. “You know where to find me when you’re done.”

  “Of course,” Esme said, heading back to the door.

  The glare of the sun blinded her for a moment as she walked into the unwelcome late-afternoon heat. She took the stairs to her right and found Jon standing by the fountain talking on his phone. When he saw her, he cut the call short.

  “Hey there,” she said, coming to his side. “Way to charm my mom, but how are you going to get a whole multimedia setup in there in the next two hours?”

  His grin was more than a little sly. “Because this isn’t a last-minute idea and I have all the stuff ready to go in my SUV.”

  Esme’s mouth fell open, impressed. “You sly dog.”

  “Guilty,” he said. “And, full disclosure between me and you, my secretary actually put it all together. It was her idea. She got married last year and has this backlog of ideas of all the things she wished she had done.”

  “Well, tell her I say thank you.”

  Jon held up his phone. “I was calling her to tell her this idea was a total home run.”

  “I’ll send her a Thank You note as well.”

  “She’d like that,” Jon said, giving her an impulsive kiss. “That, and one of your famous pints of ice cream.”

  “I can arrange a variety pack of those, I think,” Esme said, glancing to Jon’s Mercedes in the parking lot. “So what are you going to do now? Burn time while you pretend to gather everything?”

  “I figured I could make a little run to get a refreshing beverage your mom truly loves but never indulges in.”

  “Doubling down on the brownie points, are we? Someone’s an overachiever.”

  “Yeah,” he said, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Get used to it.”

  “Well…since you’re twisting my arm,” she said, gazing at his lips and he took the hint. The next kiss was a little more involved and Esme lov
ed the slightly hazy look in Jon’s eyes as he pulled away.

  He cleared his throat. “So what should I get for your mom?”

  “A guilty pleasure available somewhere in this city?”

  “Yep.”

  Esme smiled. “I know just the thing.”

  Chapter 25

  The traffic between San Francisco and Napa Valley was pretty much ridiculous 95% of the time, in Hunter’s opinion. He couldn’t remember a single time he’d made the trek when he hadn’t been forced to do so at a crawl. He’d planned on being an hour early to the engagement party in the hopes of finding two minutes to check in with Esme, but traffic had conspired against him. As always. By the time he pulled into the parking lot, he was two minutes away from being late.

  “About time,” Esme’s cousin called out from where he was standing post at the designated entry.

  Hunter locked his truck and walked toward the kid. “Hey, Tyler. Have they started yet?”

  “Nah,” he said. “You’re not the only one who got stuck in gridlock. Audra is switching things up so there’s going to be a thirty minute mingle with hors d’oeuvres before the dinner to give people time. You’re fine.”

  “Good,” Hunter said, moving past him toward the main building.

  “Hey,” Tyler called after him. “Where’s your present, man?”

  Hunter paused. “Are you serious? I’m going to be going to dozen of these stupid things if Audra has her way. I’m not bringing a present to all of them.”

  Tyler rolled his eyes. “Tell my mom that. She’s totally going overboard. She’s making me wear a suit and everything. No fair that you get to wear jeans.”

  For a split second Hunter felt self conscious, but then he decided to own his attire. Armani was a bit overstated for the occasion, all things considered, so jeans with a dress shirt and tie it was. If there was anyone who could get away with casual pants at event like this, it was him. He hadn’t really trained people to expect more from him.