Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 106798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
With nothing more than a satisfied and very appreciative grin, Zach saunters to the bathroom for a shower. “Get ready,” he calls from halfway down the hallway. “I’m taking you to dinner.”
I giggle, utterly giddy with excitement. He doesn’t show signs of guilt, like I did it only because he gave me a present. He doesn’t rush to reciprocate—although I have no doubt he’ll show plenty of birthday gratitude later. It feels … normal. In the least normal circumstances, I’ve found a little balance.
Zach takes me to a Japanese restaurant where we remove our shoes at the door. I give him a curious look.
He winks. “First time?”
I nod.
“Good.” His shoulders slide back, chin up, as a triumphant grin bends his lips. “I’m glad I’m giving you a first experience.”
The hostess takes us to our table. I give him a second curious expression. He nods for me to be seated first, so I ease onto a pillow and slide my feet into the sunken space beneath the low table.
“It’s zashiki seating,” he says after we’re handed our menus.
“And you know this because you come here often or you’ve been to Japan?”
Glancing at his menu, he shrugs. “Both. Oh … Aaron and Danielle’s wedding has been moved up to next week. So you’ll be able to make it unless Leah’s planning on leaving before then.”
“Why is the wedding next week?”
“Danielle’s grandma isn’t doing well, and she wants to be at the wedding.”
“I thought you were going to say she’s pregnant.”
Zach laughs, unfolding his napkin and laying it on his lap. “No. But that would make sense too.”
“So I’ll meet her for the first time at the wedding?”
“Probably.”
“What’s she like?” I ask.
We pause our conversation to order our drinks and meals, and as soon as we’re alone again, Zach narrows his eyes at me. “Where were we? Oh, yeah. Danielle. She’s a pharmacist. And she loves Aaron’s bad jokes. They both want one child and a dog.”
I smile, but it fades quickly as I nod slowly. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Did you and Suzie plan on having kids?”
Zach's brow tenses like a sheet of lined paper. “Yes.”
“Do you still want kids?”
He blows out a long breath, slowly shaking his head while rubbing a hand over his face. “I can’t talk about this.”
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, tapping the side of my water glass with my fingernails.
“No.” He drops his hand to his lap. “It’s fine. I’m just not sure what I want, so it’s hard to think along the lines of kids when I’m not even thinking about marriage again.”
I frown.
Zach pinches the bridge of his nose. “Fuck … I am married.” He chuckles.
Following his lead, I snort a laugh. “I heard that rumor too. Are congratulations or condolences in order?”
“Emersyn … I didn’t mean it like that.” He bites his lips together and shakes his head.
“It’s okay. When the conversation starts with having kids and leads to the mother of your possible future children, I don’t expect you to think of me as that woman.”
Zach studies me with an unreadable expression before sliding his hand across the table and covering mine with a gentle squeeze. “Listen, I don’t know where I’m going. I don’t know where you’re going. But I can say that right now I like where we’re at.”
I smile, and it’s mostly genuine, but I don’t feel like I know where we are right now. It’s an uncomfortable happiness.
A little before six the next morning, I head out for a jog, a weak attempt at clearing my mind. After pounding out just over five miles, I turn onto our street and see Zach in the driveway staring at his watch. He’s breathing heavily and sweating. He, too, needed a good run this morning.
“How far did you go?” I ask.
He turns and a slow grin works its way up his face. “Good morning. Eight miles.”
I roll my eyes as my spine deflates on a long exhale. “Of course you did.”
“Go shower. I’ll take you to breakfast.”
“You took me to dinner.”
“Well, now it’s time for breakfast. And I want nothing more than to take you to breakfast.” He steps closer to me and links his finger with mine, giving it a tiny shake that’s just as playful as his expression.
“Yeah?” I say, feeling giddy.
His grin swells. “Yeah.”
I duck my head to hide my ridiculous level of excitement as I speed walk to the front door and sprint to the shower. By the time I emerge from the bathroom with my hair doing its usual limp blond act, Zach is waiting by the back door.
He glances up from his phone and smiles. “Ready?”
“Ready.” I slide my purse onto my shoulder as he holds open the door for me.
We don’t say anything for a few blocks, and then Zach clears his throat.
“I know you supported Suzanne’s Cap’n Crunch addiction.”