“Paige?”
“Colton!” She exclaimed happily.
His eyes moved off Paige’s mud streaked face and found Zoe staring at him with shocked eyes. She was just as muddy as Paige, her cheeks were pink from exhaustion and she was breathing hard. She took a tentative step forward and pointed at him.
“W-what are you doing here?”
She was cute when she stammered uncertainly like that.
“We’re splashing in puddles Colton!” Paige beamed as she danced around him, accidently splashing his pants more. He didn’t notice the dampness—he was staring at Zoe. “We’re playing in our new rain gear, what do you think? Zoe bought it for me.” She twirled around to model her outfit to him. “Look, matching boots!” She wiggled her right foot at him.
Colton looked from Paige’s boots to Zoe’s and then drew his eyes up to her face. He felt his chest tighten when he found her looking at him. He smiled and rocked back and forth on his feet. As he stared at Zoe, Paige continued to chatter about how much fun she’d been having playing in puddles and how she wished it was raining so they could try out their new hats. She put hers back on, hiding her hair, and smiled up at him. Colton patted her shoulder and slowly approached Zoe, who was staring at him awkwardly now, with uncertainty.
“How are you?” He asked.
“Good,” she answered after a big sigh. “We’ve been running around the park here all afternoon.”
“Yeah?” Colton noticed that the ends of her hair curled when wet. He almost reached out to touch one of the strands—almost. “I’m sorry that I haven’t called.”
“It’s okay, Colton,” she smiled. “I know you’ve been busy—you’re obviously working the Lockhart wedding. I read about it in the society pages—they spent nearly sixty thousand on this. That’s pretty astronomical.” Colton nodded and glanced back at his truck where Mrs. Lockhart was watching them.
“Yes—I came over to tell you that she was about to call the police, I didn’t realize that it was you and Paige, this seems… did Minnie call you?”
“No,” Zoe shook her head. “I haven’t talked to her since this morning.” Zoe seemed innocent enough in denying that she had spoken with Minnie any time in the past hour. Plus, she seemed just as shocked to see him as he was her. Colton moved toward the edge of the puddle, which Zoe was still standing in. He was glad that she was—he’d be up to his ankles in water if he stepped any closer to her. The water provided a natural barrier that was much needed.
“I was going to call you tonight actually,” he said quickly, “now that this wedding is over I….”
“Mr. Philips, do I need to call the police?” Mrs. Lockhart called out. “I will you know, I won’t have these two little girls destroying my Sophie’s wedding!”
“No, ma’am,” Colton called. “Everything’s okay.” He blindly reached out to Zoe intending on taking her arm to pull her out of the water, but her cool, damp fingers wrapped around his and he didn’t have to pull her anywhere, she stepped out of the water to stand beside him. He walked her a few steps from the puddle and glanced over his shoulder to Paige, who was following them slowly as she glared back at Mrs. Lockhart.
“Police?” Zoe asked.
“Yes, were you two puddle hopping around here earlier?”
“On the other side of the tent,” Zoe nodded, “but honestly we weren’t disrupting anything! Is she really going to call the police on us?”
“Probably not, she’s just particular and extremely picky,” Colton stopped and glanced down at their joined hands. He knew he should have pulled away, but he didn’t, he held her fingers a little tighter. “Are you busy this weekend?”
“Um…” Zoe glanced over at Paige, who had moved forward quite a bit to give them privacy. “No, I’m not busy.” She looked down as if she had said something wrong, but the moment passed instantly and she smiled up at him. One of those genuine smiles that made him feel fuzzy inside. “Did you want to do something?”
“Maybe a movie and dinner?” He asked. “You can pick the movie.”
“Okay,” Zoe nodded. “That sounds like fun.”
“Yeah,” Colton finally dropped her hand. “Well, I’ve got to wind things down here—I’ll call you tonight or tomorrow sometime to set up the details. Friday okay?” Zoe nodded and started toward Paige. “I’m glad to have run into you Colton,” she said over her shoulder. “I’m sort of shocked though—I mean this is a big island and all. It doesn’t seem like a coincidence.” She glanced over at Paige who had her back to them now and seemed to be looking at something in her hand. “Anyway—I’ll talk to you later?”
“Yes,” Colton nodded. “I promise.”
He didn’t know if she’d take his promise to heart or not, he certainly hadn’t left her any real reason to trust him. Zoe pushed her damp hair off of her face and slowly started up the path toward Paige, who waved to him once he caught her eye.
“Paige, let me see your cell phone.” Zoe said.
The smile vanished from Paige’s face as she stared up at Zoe. “What for?”
“Let me see it,” Zoe answered. “Come on—hey come back!” Colton watched Paige race up the path away from the wedding tents, Zoe quickly following. He watched them until their neon-pink rain gear disappeared and then turned back toward his van. Mrs. Lockhart was standing directly behind him.
“Did you know those girls?” she asked a bit too casually.
“Yes, actually,” Colton laughed. “They’re harmless and won’t bother you again. Well, I’d better get back—I hope everything is to your satisfaction, Mrs. Lockhart.” She smiled as she followed him back to his van, always remaining a few steps behind no matter how much he slowed down to meet her pace. “I hope to see you at the wedding, Mr. Philips,” she touched his arm again. Her lack of acknowledging personal space was becoming annoying. He climbed into the driver’s seat and closed the door. She leaned into the window to smile at him. “Thank you again for the flowers.” Colton started the engine and nodded, “Any time, Mrs. Lockhart.” He couldn’t reverse until she had stepped clear of the van, but for some reason she lingered with her hand on the door until her assistant called her attention. The moment the cougar stepped away from the van, Colton threw it in reverse and backed out running right through the puddle Zoe and Paige had been playing in splashing more muddy water on the stone wall.
He was nearing the park exit when he noticed Zoe and Paige walking through the muddy grass. They seemed to be arguing, at least Zoe looked a little put out, Paige seemed calm and collected, probably arguing with all the vast knowledge she’d gained while watching criminals and judges at court. He rolled down the window and stepped slowly on the break. With the volume on the radio down, he could hear what Paige was saying.
“I don’t know why you’re so upset!” She cried. “You got to see him, didn’t you?”
“That is beside the point!” Zoe exclaimed. “You shouldn’t have—” Paige spotted him at that exact moment and beamed, “Hi Colton!” Zoe spun around and looked at him with the same shocked expression on her pretty face that was there before. He stopped the van and smiled at them. Paige ran up to his door, her eyes dancing.
“Need a ride?” He asked.
“Sure!” Paige beamed; she ignored Zoe who was saying that they were going to take the subway. “Come on Zoe, we’re going to ride in the flower van!”
“No.” Zoe said from the grass some ten feet away. She crossed her pink poncho covered arms stubbornly. “Come on Paige—thanks Colton, but we’ll just take the subway. We don’t want to put you out.”
“I’m done for the day,” Colton said as he leaned out of his window. He looked down at Paige who was gripping the door with white knuckles. “Are you in trouble?” He asked.
“N-no,” she murmured glancing over her shoulder at Zoe who was gesturing for her to return to the grass. “He said he’s done for the day, Zoe.”
“I know he did,” Zoe responded, her voice laced with obvious annoyance.
&
nbsp; Paige’s fingers tightened on the door.
“Come on,” Colton called to Zoe, “I’ll give you both a ride—I don’t mind.” Luckily a car pulled up behind Colton’s van and honked after a moment. Zoe looked flustered and uncertain, but it was the impatience of the other driver that brought her out of the grass and around the front of his van. He leaned over to unlock the door and smiled as she opened it.
“We’re muddy,” she said instantly. She suddenly looked very pleased with herself, which made Colton grin. “We don’t want to get your van dirty—so thank you, but we’ll walk and take the subway.”
“Get in, Zoe.” He said as the car behind them blared on their horn. Zoe climbed into the van and carefully maneuvered between the two seats. Paige launched herself up onto the passenger’s seat and closed the door with a happy little click.
“I can sit back there, Zoe, so you can ride up from with Colt—”
“You need to be buckled up,” Zoe interrupted. “I’m fine back here.” She settled herself behind Colton’s seat. For a moment he thought he felt the pressure of her back against his, but decided that he was mistaken—or maybe it was wishful thinking. He waited for Paige to fasten her seatbelt and then drove forward and through the park exit.
“It smells so nice in here,” Paige said after about five minutes of silence. “Do you like working with flowers?”
“Yup,” Colton nodded. “They’re relaxing—although they take up a lot of my time. I usually do outdoor landscaping—not so much floral design. But now I do both.”
“You should hire someone so you have more time for social—OUCH!” Colton looked at her sharply and found her rubbing her elbow. “That hurt!” Paige twisted to reach back to Zoe, the two of them swatted at one another. Colton reached back and caught two hands, Zoe’s moved away quickly so that he was left holding Paige’s.
“She pinched me!”
“I guessed—are you two hungry?”
“Yes!”
“No.”
“We’re always hungry, Colton,” Paige said, ignoring Zoe’s response completely. “Guess what we’re hungry for.”
“Pizza?” Colton asked.
“How did you know?” Paige seemed genuinely pleased. “We were going for pizza in Queens, that’s where I’m from, and you should come too!” Colton saw Zoe’s arm stretching out toward Paige, her fingers set on pinching the girl again. He caught Zoe’s hand and smiled when she gasped.
“Do you mind if I crash your party, Zoe?” He felt her fingers relax and noticed that they were considerably warmer than when she’d been standing in the puddle. He also noticed when Paige twisted herself so she was fully facing the window, her attention captivated by the buildings rushing by. Her attempt to give them some privacy made his smile stretch wider. He kept Zoe’s dirty hand in his and waited for her to respond. “I don’t have to….”
Paige twisted back around and leaned between he seats to look at Zoe. Colton felt Zoe’s fingers pulling out of his. “That’s fine,” she responded. “But, it’s my treat—to make up for all the gas you’re wasting taking us to Queens.” Paige rolled her eyes and sat forward with a smirk. Colton smiled himself and shook his head. He felt sorry for Zoe—while he had to deal with Minnie, she had both Minnie and Paige to pester her. It didn’t seem very fair, but Colton was glad that he wasn’t in Zoe’s shoes.
“So, do you two normally stomp puddles in the park?” Colton asked.
“First time,” Zoe answered.
“Yeah—good exercise,” Paige said. “Zoe usually runs around town, so I thought the park would be better. The puddles just made it great. You and Zoe should try it sometime.” Colton heard a sigh just over his left shoulder and smiled, “Maybe so. So, where’s this pizza place?”
“Near my house,” Paige answered. “It’s really good—you’ll like it.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” Colton said honestly.
For the fifth time, Paige slipped out of their booth with a slice of pizza in one hand and a quarter for the jukebox in another. Colton caught on to her sudden and unnecessarily long departures pretty early on, but Zoe was just realizing it, which made the way her brow furrowed when Paige asked for another quarter, completely charming. He started laughing the moment Paige was out of the booth.
“I feel like…” Zoe’s voice trailed off. “Colton, I’m sorry—I told them both to butt out of things. I didn’t want you to feel obligated.”
“I don’t,” he said.
“And… they just don’t listen!” Zoe exclaimed with frustration. “I didn’t want to go back to the stupid Lockhart wedding tents, but Paige took off running for them and I couldn’t let her go alone. I didn’t even think anything was off when she was checking her text messages—I didn’t think she and Minnie would stoop too…” Colton reached out and grasped her clenched hand. She turned her honey-brown eyes on him and her fingers relaxed beneath his palm.
“It’s fine,” he said softly. “I don’t feel obligated to be here—I want to be here.” Zoe’s brow furrowed again and she pulled her hand free so she could grab her tea. He watched her lips wrap around the straw and looked away. After a minute she sighed heavily; there was a bit of sadness in her expression that he didn’t like. “I guess this will never be a normal thing, will it?”
“This?” Colton pressed.
“Us dating, if you can call it that,” she answered rolling her eyes. “It’s all just a big set up—by a twelve year old and a busybody and text messages and Bloody Mary.” She set her glass down and dropped her hands in her lap.
“Want another slice?” He asked. She had only had one and ate it so slowly he had almost asked her to speed things on a few occasions. He wanted her to have another slice; she’d been eyeing the pizza for a long time after finishing that first slice. She briefly glanced at the pizza before looking over her shoulder at Paige, who was still flipping through albums at the jukebox.
“Zoe,”
She looked back at him.
“I don’t feel obligated or set up,” he said firmly. “I think you should know that I never do things that I don’t want to do.” She studied him closely, leaving no clue or hints at what she might be thinking. “This arrangement is strange, sure, but it’s been fun too, hasn’t it?”
She raised an eyebrow of doubt and reached for her glass without looking. He knew that she was going to overshoot it by the speed at which she reached out, and sure enough, her hand knocked into the red plastic glass and it skittered forward, tilting ominously before it spilled ice across the checkered table cloth.
“Shoot,” Zoe cursed as she quickly scooped up the ice and spilled tea.
Colton pressed a napkin to the damp spot the spill had left behind and caught Zoe’s hand yet again as she reached for more napkins. “Can I pick you up Friday around seven?” Her eyes grew a little wider as she stared at him, breathing quickly through gently parted lips—lips he noticed where full, pink, and wet, as if she had just licked them. He let her hand go and smiled. “Seven? We’ll grab dinner—then go see a late show? Maybe a drink afterwards?”
“Yes,” she nodded. “That’ll be fine.”
“Great,” Colton smiled and looked up as Paige slipped back into the booth beside Zoe.
“Find a song?”
A slow smile formed across her freckled face as the opening bars of Elton John’s Can You Feel the Love Tonight began playing. Colton recognized the song instantly, but it took Zoe a minute or so. When the chorus began, Zoe turned her full attention on Paige who was chomping on her third slice of pizza; she ignored Zoe by closing her eyes and swaying back and forth to the music. Colton slowly drank his tea to keep from laughing.
Zoe wasn’t happy.
Paige, ever oblivious, opened her eyes and smiled at Colton.
“Maybe you two should dance,” she said recommended casually. “This is a great song.” Colton looked at Zoe who was lifting up her poncho to pull money from her pocket. He watched her separate the soggy bills to the correct a
mount of change to pay the bill.
“We’re leaving,” she told Paige.
“What? Why?” the girl cried. “The night is young!”
“Out…” Zoe pushed on Paige’s shoulder and the mischievous girl slipped out of the booth, but not before winking at Colton who winked back. Zoe turned toward him once she was on her feet. “Thanks for the ride—please take the leftover pizza home with you.” He started to protest but she turned away and ushered Paige to the door. With one more look over her shoulder, Zoe waved to him and escaped through the diner doors as the chorus of the song began to play again.
Colton listened to the words of the song and then laughed out loud. He had stayed away from Zoe for far too long—he wouldn’t do that again.
--
Lesson Seven: “Sometimes it’s good to clear the air of your uncertainty; however,
don’t be surprised if the conversation ends with a shock and a flushed face.”
“I don’t know if I feel comfortable with that, Minnie,” Zoe murmured as she looked through the rack of clearance clothes at Macy’s.
It was Friday morning, the day of Zoe’s second date with Colton, and the women were clothes shopping in effort to update Zoe’s measly wardrobe. The goal was to rid Zoe’s drawers and hangers of baggy, poorly fitted clothing, despite all of their comfort and familiarity. Out with the old, in with the new, Minnie said. Zoe didn’t mind the new clothes. It was such a confidence booster to be able to slip into a comfy pair of size 8/10
jeans and actually feel sexy in them. She bought two pairs of jeans at Express and even ventured to try on a few tops as well, which she bought after a little coaxing from Minnie.
Still, no matter how heavy the shopping bags on her arms became, she constantly thought about the garbage bags, filled to the brim with her past, which were piled up uncaringly by her front door at home.
Shedding skin—both literally and figuratively—wasn’t easy. Zoe had worked really hard to lose weight and keep it off. She’d sacrificed so much to become who she thought she was supposed to be: A skinny little version of her old self, sans the low self esteem and a bad body image. She’d exercised. She’d overhauled her food choices. She’d self sacrificed a great deal of happiness to fit into a size 8/10 from a 20/22. She did everything a dieter was supposed to do to get to their goal. And then after all was said and done and the torture was over, she wallowed in old baggy sweats and big t-shirts.
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