The music started, and I dabbed my eyes, watching Eve’s happily-ever-after unfold exactly as planned.
Hair tickled the back of my neck. I wasn’t used to wearing it up in a fancy twist. I brushed the errant hair away then went back to watching Adam and Eve. When the song ended, other couples made their way onto the dance floor.
Showing up single to weddings wasn’t fun, but it had been my choice. Hopefully, Harper would ask me to dance. Otherwise, it would be a long reception.
The tickling started again. Had the air kicked on? It wasn’t that warm. The February weather was perfect.
I turned to look for a vent.
“Hiya, Carrot.” Zach grinned. “I wondered how long it would take you to turn around.”
I hadn’t seen Zach so dressed up since my brother’s wedding a year ago, but that suit and tie affected me the same way. My heart rate sped up, and my palms got sweaty.
“Why are you here?” It wasn’t the nicest way to ask, but that was the way we always talked to each other. And it was an honest question.
“Eve invited me. I came to keep you company.” He leaned forward. “The guy over there—that’s Harper, right?”
I nodded.
“Well, he keeps looking this way. If he asks me to dance, that would be awkward.”
“Zach, are you asking me to dance?”
“I am. Sitting here isn’t much fun.” He stood and held out his hand. “I promised Eve I wouldn’t let you hide in the corner all night.”
As soon as Eve returned from her honeymoon, she’d get an earful from me. I didn’t need pity dances from my brother’s best friend.
I crossed my arms. “I don’t feel like dancing.”
“Please. I’m not above begging.” He grabbed the back of his chair and shifted as if he was about to kneel. Sometimes, he took his teasing too far.
“Do not make a scene.” I popped up out of my chair. “I’ll dance with you.”
“Where is the happy couple spending their honeymoon?” He shrugged off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves.
I stared at his newly polished boots. “A cabin in an undisclosed location.”
“Undisclosed, huh? You know where, don’t you?” He pressed a warm hand to my back and led me onto the dance floor. “Which of us is going to lead?”
“I’ll let you, I guess.”
He placed a hand on my waist, and I tensed.
“I’m not going to tickle you. I want to dance with you.” He lifted an eyebrow. “Is that okay?”
I slipped my hand into his and rested a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t wiggle your fingers.”
“That would be tickling. I’m not going to do that. At least not right now.”
For as long as I’d known Zach, he’d teased me, and I’d dished it back. We were used to it. The only wrinkle was, I thought he hung the moon. And growing up, he thought I was funny. Now, I didn’t know what he thought.
At my brother’s wedding, I’d dreamed of dancing with Zach, but he’d shown up with Lisa, and I was hardly teased at all that night.
Now that he was single again, the teasing was back in force. But after everything that had happened, I couldn’t enjoy the back and forth. It was like licking a chocolate I wasn’t allowed to eat.
“But they’ll only be there two nights. Then they fly off to Mexico to enjoy a cabana near the beach.” I tapped his chest. “But don’t tell anyone.”
“Mum’s the word. On a scale of one to ten how do you think Adam will rate as a husband? Will he be good for Eve?” Zach twirled me then pulled me back again.
“I’d say a twelve. He’s perfect for her. I don’t think there’s anything he wouldn’t do for her.”
“Really?” Zach raised an eyebrow. “Anything? Would he really have given up his dogs?”
I stepped closer and kept my voice even. Thinking about how in love they were made it hard not to tear up. “In his heart, he knew she would never have asked that. She knew what was important to him. It’s part of who he is.”
The song ended, but Zach didn’t let go. “What if he couldn’t have both?”
I shrugged. The question didn’t feel like it was about Adam anymore.
The music started again—a slow song—and Zach slipped his arm around my waist. “They look really happy.”
I put my hand on his shoulder as we started to move around the dance floor. “They are. I’ve known Eve since tenth grade. You were already away at A&M when she moved to town. I’ve never seen her this happy.”
“What makes you happy?”
Somewhere deep inside, I think he already knew the answer. For all my attempts at subtlety, I failed miserably in that arena.
Before I could say anything—not that I had any clue what to say—Harper appeared next to us. “May I cut in?”
“I suppose.” Zach let go of my hand. “Thank you for dancing with me.”
“Is he your chaperone tonight?” Harper always went for the laugh.
“Something like that.” I was a mess. Dancing with a strikingly handsome firefighter, I focused on the guy who was off-limits and not interested.
“Do you know where they are headed after the reception?”
“I think Zach is headed home, but you can ask him.” I could play dumb when needed.
“Funny. I meant Adam. My buddies and I planned a little surprise. We just need to know where to go.”
I shook my head. “Nope.” The song ended, and I stepped away. “Wait, did you put Zach up to asking?”
“I only asked Zach if I could cut in.” He winked. “I’m off to beg the info from someone else.” Harper wouldn’t have any luck. “Can I come find you again?”
“To dance, yes.” Only three people knew where the cabin was, and I wasn’t talking.
I found a corner and watched Adam twirl and dip Eve. Cameras flashed. The happiness etched on their faces would forever be captured.
When the deejay asked for everyone except the single ladies to clear the dance floor, I stayed put. There would be plenty of others ready and willing to dive for the bouquet of yellow roses.
Hidden in the shadows, I figured I was safe even when Eve scanned the room. But when she made eye contact with Zach and he walked over to the deejay, I knew I was about to be royally embarrassed.
Before the deejay could call me out by name, I marched out to the middle of the floor and waved.
That earned me a few laughs.
Beaming, Eve turned around and launched the bouquet into the air. Instead of diving for the flowers, the group of ladies divided like the Red Sea, leaving me to catch the bouquet or get whapped in the head.
I scanned the room, wanting to see Zach’s reaction, but he wasn’t anywhere to be found. How had he disappeared so quickly?
Embarrassed, I held up the flowers when people cheered then hurried to my seat.
The guys lined up to catch the garter. Based on the shoving, they seemed more eager to capture the prize than the ladies had been. When Adam threw the lacy blue garter, the guys dove for it and tackled each other in an effort to claim victory.
One of Adam’s friends, a guy named Javi, stood and held up his hand. The garter hung off his finger.
I brushed away another tickle on the back of my neck. “Why didn’t you go out there?”
“Poor Harper. He tried really hard.”
I crossed my arms and didn’t bother to turn around. “Be nice. He’s a really sweet guy. If I had any sense, I’d have come as his date.”
“You turned him down?” Zach sounded shocked.
I nodded.
He pointed across the room. “They’re getting ready to go. We should see them off.”
I wasn’t about to miss the grand exit. Reining in my emotions, I jumped up. “I need to be out there.”
Holding my hand, Zach cleared a path through the guests. Guys at the door were handing out sparklers.
The crowd gathered outside. Crackling sparklers lit the area.
I pushed my way to the far ed
ge and held out my sparkler. Zach positioned himself across from me, and we created the final arch.
Ducking down, Adam and Eve ran through, but she stopped in front of me. Zach slipped the sparkler out of my hand just before Eve hugged me.
“I’m so happy for you. Tonight was perfect.” I brushed happy tears off her cheeks. “Absolutely perfect.”
She leaned close. “Too bad Zach didn’t catch the garter.”
“It wouldn’t matter because I’d never date him.”
Eve patted my cheek. “Never say never.” Still beaming, she kissed Adam then gathered her dress and climbed into the back of the limousine.
The door closed, and they drove off into the night.
I waved until the taillights were no longer visible.
Zach stepped up behind me. “You may not realize it, but we’re the last ones out here.”
“Okay.”
“What did she say to you?”
“Stuff that best friends say.”
“Well, don’t look so glum. She’ll be back in a week.”
“I know, but it’ll be different.” I turned to face him. “And glum? Really?”
“Care to dance a bit more?” He held out his hand.
“Because you promised Eve?”
His gaze dropped to the ground. “Why else?”
“Why not?”
Surprised, he looked up and smiled. “Good.”
I slipped my hand into his and walked with him onto the dance floor.
Emotional, I danced entirely too close to Zach. He wasn’t the only one giving mixed signals.
After two dances, Harper showed up again. “Hey.”
“You already cut in.” Zach pulled me closer and continued dancing.
I patted his chest. “I told him I’d dance with him again.”
“What for?” Brow furrowed, Zach looked genuinely irritated.
“Because I want to.” I stopped.
Zach tensed then motioned Harper over. “She wants to dance with you.”
Harper eyed Zach as he strode away. “I don’t think he likes me.”
“Don’t worry about him. Let’s dance.” I didn’t know what to think anymore.
“You look amazing tonight.”
“Thank you.”
“And clearly, I’m not the only one who thinks so. Why didn’t you come to the wedding with him?” Harper danced us in a circle then twirled me.
“Lots of reasons.”
He waited as if he expected me to list them.
“I didn’t know he was invited. He didn’t ask me to be his date. And he treats me like I’m his little sister.”
“He sure doesn’t look at you like you’re his little sister.” Harper put his lips to my ear. “And he’s not looking happy right now.”
“It’s complicated.”
“That phrase is over-used. One-thousand-piece puzzles are complicated, but people still figure them out.”
“In this case, it’s more like a two-sided, five-thousand-piece puzzle.”
Harper kissed my cheek as the music ended. “Don’t throw away the pieces just yet.”
What did that even mean? I walked back to the table, frustrated with Zach and irritated with myself.
Zach stood as I neared the table. “Sorry about that.”
“About what?” I met his gaze. I wanted him to name his bad behavior.
“For the way I acted. I’ve been thinking about what I asked you while you were dancing with what’s-his-name. And I do know what makes you happy.” He pulled out my chair. “And tomorrow, you’ll need a happy distraction.”
I sat down. “I’m listening.”
He leaned forward in his chair but didn’t touch me. “I’ll smoke a brisket for you. Best you’ve ever had.” He checked his watch. “I’ll put it on early, and we can eat about four or five . . . if that works. I’ll call Hank and let him know not to make other plans.”
Finding some other way to spend my day would save me heartache, but my love for smoked meat swayed my decision. “What time should I be there?”
His green eyes lit up. “Let’s say noon. I’ll have snacks. We can play games.”
“Did Eve put you up to this too?”
“No, Haley, she didn’t.” He brushed his knuckles across my bare knee. “I’m excited. This will be fun.”
This was Zach’s version of getting the band back together, and I knew how well that usually worked out. “I’ll let you talk to Hank.”
“I’ve got it covered.”
Chapter 20
Hank wasn’t a bad housemate at all. He cleaned up after himself. The guy could even cook.
I stood at the mirror, trying to decide if I should wear my hair up or down. The ponytail said, “Let’s be friends.” Maybe my heart and brain would get the message too.
“Haley, you about ready? I figured we might as well ride over together.”
“Coming.” A subtle shade of lipstick finished off my casual look.
Hank didn’t even seem irritated about having me tag along.
If today went well, we could hang out more often. But it would be easier to be friends with Zach if I had someone else to cuddle. I’d have to work on that part.
I buckled into my seat. “Good idea about riding together.”
Hank nodded. “I wonder what got into Zach. He hasn’t made a brisket in ages. But you’re in for a treat. He seasons the outside. His briskets are tender and tasty.”
“I can’t wait.” The aroma of barbeque wafted in the air as we climbed out of the truck. “Smelling this for hours will be torture.”
“Delayed gratification.” Hank laughed. “The best things take a long time to get right.”
Like a two-sided, five-thousand-piece puzzle.
Zach opened the door and grinned. “Snacks are in the kitchen. Drinks are in the cooler. Cornhole is in the backyard.”
“What’s the occasion?” Hank headed straight for the cooler.
“Haley’s friend got married. It’s our job to keep Haley distracted so she doesn’t wallow all week.” Zach tousled my curls. “Thanks for coming.”
“It smells wonderful.” I’d really missed being over here.
Hank popped the top off a Coke as he walked back into the room. “How was the wedding?”
“Beautiful. Everything was perfect.” I turned to Zach to ask his opinion but bit my tongue when he gave a subtle shake of his head. Then I had to say something so it didn’t look weird that I’d turned to face him. “I need something cold to drink.”
“RC or a Big Red?” He strode toward the back porch.
“Surprise me.”
He’d already done that. Hank didn’t know Zach had attended the wedding, and based on that shake of the head, Zach wanted to keep it that way. But why?
After wiping down the sides of the bottle, he handed me a Big Red. “I figured we’d save the RC Colas for later when we break out the Moon Pies.”
Zach knew exactly what made me happy.
Instead of hugging him like I wanted to, I pointed at the back door. “I’ll beat both of y’all at Cornhole.”
“Not gonna happen.” Hank chuckled. “I’m the reigning champion.”
I hung back, letting the guys go out first.
Zach stopped at the door. “You can’t change your mind now.”
“I’m coming.” As soon as I cleared the doorway, I turned around. “Thank you.”
“The day’s only getting started.” He winked.
His shirt smelled as good as the barbeque pit on the other side of the patio. I leaned in and inhaled.
Zach poked me in the side. “Are you sniffing me?”
I wriggled. “Don’t do that. It tickles.” I moved a bit closer. Using a whisper as an excuse, I managed another whiff. “It would be weird if Hank saw you tickling me.”
“It’s weird that you’re sniffing me. You just did it again.” He buried his nose in my hair. “You smell like honeysuckle.”
“It’s my shampoo. Why are you be
ing so weird?”
“Come on.” Hank rolled his shoulders. “Ladies first.”
“You should get over there.” Zach leaned in close. “Need a quick sniff before you play?”
“I’m coming.” I ran over and picked up a beanbag.
Standing next to the platform, I wound up my arm, hoping to beat my brother.
Zach grabbed my shoulders. “Watch your step. If your toes cross that line, he’ll have to pelt you with beanbags.”
“Thanks for saving me.” Hopefully, my sarcasm rang through.
My first throw was sheer luck. The red bag dropped into the hole without touching the wood at all.
“Cornhole right off the bat. She’s going to make it hard to keep your title, Hank.” Zach hovered almost as close as he had last night . . . when we were dancing.
Hank shook his head. “I’m not worried.” He tossed, and the little blue bag landed on the wood, slid to the edge, then dropped onto the ground. “But maybe I should be.”
My second toss ended up in the dirt. I missed the platform completely. I pointed at Zach. “It’s your fault. You didn’t grab my shoulders for luck that time.”
“I won’t make that mistake again.” His green eyes sparkled.
Hank threw his hands in the air. “Why do I feel like you’re both ganging up on me?”
“I’m being nice. She doesn’t play as much as we do.” Zach acted like he was going to poke me in the side but stopped before he touched me. “I want her to have a good day.”
I wanted that and more.
Hank’s second toss slid into the hole. “Your turn.”
Zach rested his hands on my shoulders. “Good luck, Carrot.”
My brain was busy chasing bunny trails, and all of them involved Zach. My mind wasn’t on the game, but I threw the beanbag anyway.
I let go too late, and the beanbag didn’t even launch in the right direction.
Hank never saw it coming. “Ouch! Dang it, Haley!” He slapped a hand over his eye. “Do you have any idea how embarrassing it will be to tell people that my sister gave me a black eye?”
“I didn’t throw it that hard. It can’t be that bad.” I pulled his hand away. “Oh.” How could I be so wrong about so many things? “Zach, he’s going to need some ice.”
“Let’s finish this game.” Hank picked up a beanbag.
One Guy I'd Never Date Page 11