Flooded with thoughts of the other possible outcomes, I stopped. Hank continued into the kitchen, and Zach walked out to the back porch.
I followed Zach.
He stood at the far end of the porch, staring out at the horizon. He probably hadn’t even noticed the pinks and blues painted across the sky.
Rubbing his back as I stepped up behind him, I set the cookies on a chair. “I’m sorry.”
He spun around and wrapped me in a hug.
I slipped my arms around his neck and pressed closer.
Moments ticked by, and we stayed that way. This was why I’d come. I brought cookies, but I wanted him to need me. For a few seconds, it felt like he did.
When the door creaked, he let go and jumped back. “We should see if Hank needs help.”
Had Hank seen us?
He wasn’t at the door.
“Okay.” I followed Zach but bumped into him when he stopped just short of the door.
“Thank you for coming tonight. It means a lot.” He squeezed my hand then walked inside. “Hey, Hank, sorry to leave you with all the work.”
Hank gave me a look that said he’d seen the hug. Would he interpret it as comforting a friend? Based on his scowl, I guessed he was thinking something else entirely.
I glanced at my phone. “I need to run. Enjoy the cookies. And I’m sorry about what happened.” I headed for the front door before anyone could ask me to stay. Not that they would.
Almost to my car, I stopped when Zach called my name.
“Haley, why are you in such a rush?”
I’d built a strong defensive wall, holding in my emotions, but talking threatened to put a chink in my wall. I shook my head. “Y’all don’t need me hanging around.”
“There’s plenty of food.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Why are you leaving?”
“I thought I could make it better, but being here is only making things worse. Hank gave me the death glare. It’s been a while since I’ve seen that.”
“He’s having a hard time because of what happened today.”
“No, Zach. He thinks I’m trying to steal his best friend. I’d never do that . . . to either of you.”
“We’re all friends. Why not stay?”
I trailed a finger down his arm, keeping one eye on the door. “Another time. But if you need anything, you have my number.” Fighting tears, I climbed into the car.
Zach waved as I backed out of the driveway, and he stood there until I was partway down the street.
I probably needed to rethink my New Year’s resolution.
Chapter 17
After moping on the sofa for an hour, I ordered a pizza then tackled my dishes. I hated doing the dishes. And as little as I ate at home, dish-dirtying elves had to be sneaking in while I was out. How could I have made such a mess on my own?
I’d just dried the last pan when the pizza guy knocked. I tipped him well, hoping he didn’t laugh about the single girl ordering a large pizza and having no one to share it with on New Year’s Eve.
Before I took a bite, my phone buzzed.
A very cryptic text from Zach popped up on the screen: You were right.
I hardly had time to ponder the meaning because Hank called a second later.
“What are you doing tonight?”
“Eating a large pizza by myself. You?” I reminded myself that he’d also had an emotional day.
“At Zach’s. We should get together tomorrow—just you and me.” Hank wasn’t great at subtlety either.
“Sure. Text me.”
“Meet me at the house. You can choose which room you want.” He hesitated. “And Haley . . .”
“What?”
“I know you were hugging Zach because of what happened.” He hadn’t really asked a question, but he let the statement hang in the air as if he expected an answer. “It would be weird if it was anything else.”
“I know. I’m sorry about what happened. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I ended the call, fully prepared to cry myself into the new year.
A knock at the door interrupted that plan.
“You didn’t think I’d let you ring in the new year alone, did you?” Eve lifted the grocery bags in her hands. “I brought snacks.”
“What about Adam?”
“He’s got plans with Harper.” She didn’t turn around when she said it, but the disappointment in her voiced couldn’t be masked.
I followed her into the kitchen and picked up the bags as soon as she set them down. “Don’t get comfortable. I’ll grab my pizza, and we’ll go to your house. The guys can meet us there.”
“Really?” Her eagerness was impossible to miss. “You wouldn’t mind?”
“Not a bit. Take these, and I’ll meet you at your house.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.” I tugged on my shoes and grabbed a sweatshirt. “I’ll be a few minutes behind you. I want to throw some things in a bag.”
“You can have the guest room.” She waved as she walked out the door.
I kept my promise. Five minutes later, I was headed to her house.
I pressed a hand to my stomach and tried to stop laughing. Never before had playing Texas Hold’em been so much fun.
Adam flipped over the cards Eve slid toward the middle of the table, determined to see what she’d had in her hand.
“You didn’t have anything!” He gaped, somewhat deflated that he’d folded.
She giggled. “I bluffed. And it worked.” Pulling the chips toward her, she grinned. “Another round?”
“I don’t think we have time. It’s only a few minutes until midnight.” I was glad I’d come.
“Time flies when I’m losing poker hands.” Harper laughed. “Let’s crack open the sparkling cider.”
“Then we can walk outside and watch all the illegal fireworks.” I stacked the chips and nestled them back into the box. “Or does that make y’all twitchy?”
“Definitely makes me twitchy.” Harper shook his head. “It’s a horrible night for fires.”
Adam opened the cider, and Eve filled flutes.
Fireworks exploded in the neighborhood, and Harper checked the time. “Someone has their clock set wrong.”
Eve passed out glasses. We counted down then toasted the new year.
Adam tugged Eve into the dining room where they enjoyed a few minutes of their own little private celebration.
“Happy New Year, Haley.” Harper lifted his glass again. “Here’s to a great year.”
“I’ll drink to that.” I sipped my cider then pulled out my phone.
Happy New Year, Carrot. I hope you and Eve had fun. How did Zach know I’d spent the evening with Eve?
For that matter, how did Eve know I was home alone when she’d shown up earlier? And she hadn’t asked about my visit to Zach’s.
Only one explanation made sense. Zach. How did he get Eve’s number?
I tucked my phone away and finished my drink as Adam and Eve walked back into the room. “This was fun. Thanks for not letting me stay home alone.”
“That’s what friends are for.” She gathered the glasses. “Another hand of poker or do you guys have to go?”
“I should head home.” Harper yawned. “But thanks for inviting me.”
“And I’m not in the mood for losing anymore.” Adam winked. “I’ll bring doughnuts in the morning.”
“Wow, Eve. Where did you find this guy?” I nudged Adam.
Her eyes twinkled. “I ended up in a horribly embarrassing situation, and he swooped in to rescue me. It’s a great relationship starter.”
I rolled my eyes, knowing exactly the point she was trying to make. But my embarrassing moment hadn’t led to a happily-ever-after. It had led to a we-can-just-be-friends.
After the guys walked out the door, I dropped onto the sofa and typed out a text. I wanted to send something meaningful. But that didn’t happen. I replied with: Happy New Year. Thanks for looking out for me.
He replied: I loved the coo
kies. Thank you.
I ran a finger over his response. “Zach texted you?”
Eve sat down next to me. “He did. Said that you might need a friend. Didn’t tell me what happened.”
“Nothing happened. Not really. I hugged him, and Hank got weird about it. So I left.”
“You need to talk to Hank.” She pushed up off the sofa. “I need to put the food away.”
“Talking to Hank won’t change anything. They’ve been friends for years. I can’t mess it up.” I rinsed dishes and put them in the dishwasher. “But I’ll be okay.”
Eve hugged me. “I have a good feeling about this year.”
“Of course you do. You’re getting married.”
“I’m talking about you, Haley. It’ll be a good year for you.”
I really wanted that to be true.
Chapter 18
By the end of January, I was eager to move into Hank’s place. Lisa had taken to ignoring me and randomly turning up her music in the middle of the night.
Moving away was more satisfying than telling her I hadn’t seen Zach since New Year’s Eve.
Living at Hank’s, I had at least a possibility of seeing Zach from time to time. I missed him.
The last of my belongings were out of the apartment. Only a few things still needed to be brought in from the car, but I was exhausted.
I stared at the two couches in the living room. “I’m not sure this is gonna work.”
“We’ll sell one of them.” Hank shrugged. “I’m not attached to mine.” That wasn’t a big surprise. It looked like he’d scavenged it from the sidewalk before a trash pickup.
I positioned a throw pillow to cover the gash in a cushion. “I’m not sure anyone will want to buy it. What a mess.” Tired of unpacking, I trudged into the kitchen. “What sounds good for dinner?”
“Don’t worry about me. Zach and I will grab something.” He wandered down the hall.
“Okay.” I wasn’t about to sit around the house, or I’d make an entire jar of marshmallow cream disappear. “I’m probably going to run out and get myself something. I don’t feel like cooking.”
The new normal had reverted to the old normal. Zach and Hank hung out, and I wasn’t invited.
As I walked past the door, someone knocked. I opened it. “Hey, Zach.” Turning, I hollered across the house. “Hank, your friend is here.”
“Ouch.” Zach chuckled. “I guess I deserve that. Sorry I wasn’t here to help with the move.’
“We managed.” I waved and continued to my room. In under two minutes, I’d changed my shirt and put on shoes. Hooking my purse on my shoulder, I brushed past Zach. “Tell Hank I’ll see him later.”
He caught my arm. “Carrot.”
“Yeah?” I stared at my phone.
“Are you upset with me?”
“Nope. I’m good.” I gathered my hair into a ponytail and looped a scrunchie around it. “Miss the days when I followed you guys around?”
“I do miss how things were. You seem . . . different.”
Good. I’d been working on that.
“Have fun.” Racing to my car, I wanted to leave before he got the last word. I dropped into the front seat and yanked the door, but it didn’t close.
Zach leaned down. “Want me to close the trunk for you?”
One look in the rearview mirror confirmed my mistake. “Please.”
“Promise not to back over me?”
“I don’t want you dead.” I flashed a syrupy smile.
Zach looked back toward the house. “I want us to be friends, Carrot.”
“We are. That hasn’t changed.” Once the trunk had been closed and Zach was clear of the vehicle, I backed out of the driveway.
I’d lived with Hank a little over a week, and I’d picked up barbeque from the old storefront on the corner at least five times. With its huge smoker outside, the place called to me. But this time, instead of getting food to go, I decided to eat inside.
I pushed my tray down the cafeteria-style counter and ordered enough brisket and ribs to feed three people. I could always take home the extras. I skipped the sides but made sure to grab a banana pudding.
“Will this be all?” Was the woman at the register silently judging me?
Bottled drinks were nestled into crushed ice in a metal tub. I surveyed my choices. “I’ll also take a Big Red.”
She swiped my card and handed over the receipt. “Enjoy your meal.”
“Thanks.” I carried my tray to the dining area.
Instead of individual tables, several long picnic tables filled the room. What better way was there to spotlight the single girl eating alone?
I opted for a spot near the wall.
With my gaze fixed on my food, I devoured the ribs before attacking the brisket. Considering Eve’s wedding was in a little over a week, I decided to take the banana pudding home for later.
Someone sat right beside me, but I didn’t look up. I knew the minute I did, that person would become chatty. And I wasn’t in that kind of a mood. So as a huge hint, I turned toward the wall a little and put my hand on the side of my face.
Less than a minute later, the person bumped into me. I scooted toward the wall, and irritatingly, they did the same.
This person became harder to ignore.
After two more bumps, I inhaled, ready to explode.
Eve giggled. “Can I have some of that brisket? You can’t possibly finish all that.”
“How did you know where I was?” I pushed my tray toward her. “Help yourself.”
She picked up a fork. “You drive a yellow Mini Cooper. You live two blocks from here. And you’d sell your soul for good barbeque.” She dipped a slice of brisket in sauce. “What he’d do now?”
“Nothing. No one did anything.”
“Don’t ever try bluffing. You stink at it.” Eve nudged me again. “You need to keep me company. If I show up at the firehouse again, the guys will never let me live it down.”
“Zach and Hank are out doing something. We could find something to watch.”
“Sounds like a great plan. I’ll get another banana pudding on the way out.” She popped another bite of brisket in her mouth. “You taking that home?”
“Yup. You saved me from eating the whole thing.”
“That’s what friends are for.” Eve winked. “I’ll meet you at the house.”
The movie While You Were Sleeping was guaranteed to make any day better. Engrossed, we hugged pillows to our chest as the leaning scene played out on the screen. Sighing wasn’t optional or voluntary.
“Maybe that’s our problem, Zach. We never learned how to lean properly.” When had Hank walked in?
“Speak for yourself, Hank. I think I’m pretty good at that move.” Zach crossed his arms and leaned on the doorframe. He was right, but I wasn’t about to confirm that fact.
I threw the pillow at Hank. “Why’d you sneak up on us?”
“You didn’t hear us because you were too wrapped up in your fantasy world.” He waved at Eve. “Sorry I can’t make it to the wedding. I’m on shift then.”
“We’ll miss you, but I understand.”
“Thanks. We’ll get out of your hair so you can finish your movie.” He sighed and clutched a hand to his heart.
Zach chuckled as he walked up to the couch. “Nice to see both of you.” He tapped his hat on the top of my head. “Sorry to ruin your moment.”
Hank thought that was hilariously funny.
Thankfully, they both left.
“Nothing, huh?” Eve shook her head. “I don’t believe that for a minute. That man wanted your attention.”
“No. He wants everything to rewind and be like it was before he almost kissed me. I can’t do that. Now, all the banter feels like flirting.”
“Because it is, Haley.”
If it was flirting, that was almost worse. The conversation at Christmas left no ambiguity. Lots of questions but no possibility of romance.
“I’m going to unpause the m
ovie. I need a happy ending.”
Chapter 19
I’d been over every detail of the wedding with Eve, but knowing exactly what would happen during the wedding didn’t prepare me for how amazing the day would be. I stood at the front, waiting for Eve to come through the double doors.
Looking at the people would only make me more nervous, so I stayed focused on the main aisle. But when the doors opened, my gaze shot to Adam then back to Eve.
My fingers itched to capture those smiles, and I hoped that the photographers hadn’t missed either one of those magnificent expressions. Being the maid of honor made it impossible to hide behind the camera.
I spent the rest of the ceremony wiping tears and reminding myself not to lock my knees.
The whole room bubbled with happiness.
After Adam kissed his bride, he escorted her out as the guests cheered.
Harper stepped to the middle and stuck out his arm. “Here comes the fun part.”
“I thought this was beautiful.” I clasped his arm.
In a tux, Harper upgraded from good-looking to wow. He grinned as we walked out of the chapel. “That part made me cry. The next part is when I get to laugh. You’ll love my toast.”
“I don’t want to follow you. Please let me go first.” I’d written and rewritten my toast a hundred times.
“Sure thing. Whatever makes you happy.” He tapped my hand. “I’ll come find you later to get my dance.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
He slipped off in one direction, and I went to fix my makeup. We only had a few minutes until it was time for pictures, and I wanted to look presentable.
My toast garnered a few sweet sighs. Harper’s toast brought down the house. I had no idea Adam could even turn that shade of red.
When it was time for the first dance, Adam held Eve’s hand and led her out to the dance floor. She gripped his hand so tight, his fingers were almost white. Then they stopped in the middle of the dance floor. Before the music started, he cupped her face with both hands and kissed her.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the place after that.
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