Page 42 of Defeated

After Gracie, being around people felt like too much effort.

It was easier to be around strangers, then easier not to be around anyone at all.

Mack and Bennett dragged me a little out of myself, reminded me to live a little in Winter Lake. Pushed, but not too hard that I wanted to leave. Enough that I knew they cared and worried about me. So I tried for them, but it wasn’t easy. It never was.

It still isn’t.

Then I remember I just spent three hours filling my belly with paella and conversation has never flowed so easily or for so long.

“No, those aren’t stupid,” she says. “I like the quiet and the stars, too. Probably because most people are assholes.”

I bark out a laugh, surprising myself. Her too from the heat blooming under her skin as she looks away. “I didn’t mean that.”

“You did.” I finally find the strength to take my hands off her. The frowning waitress is headed this way, and I can’t imagine she appreciates the way I have Zoe pressed up against their front window. “But you’re right. You ready to leave?”

She nods, and we walk to my U-Haul, a big obnoxious thing parked up on the sidewalk.

As I drive us back to Colton’s apartment, I catch her occasional peek at me. It’s a short drive, only about ten minutes since I hadn’t thought it was wise to venture into the heart of town with a shifter problem that we still have to deal with.

They have stayed away, but that could change at any moment. Especially since they managed to track Zoe to the end of Colton’s street.

“You have a question?” I ask.

She fiddles with her seatbelt button, her eyes resting on my hands on the steering wheel. “I realize I haven’t apologized for trying to kill you.”

I make the next turn and dart a rapid glance her way. “No worries.”

“I thought you were a thief.”

“And I gave you no reason to think I was otherwise.”

“I could have killed you.”

I nod. “You could. Considering you thought I was there to rob Colton, no apology is necessary.”

A red light stops me, and I look at Zoe. She’s chewing her lip, so confused, I can’t help but smile. “What is it?”

“You’re taking this much better than you should.”

“How should I take it?” For the first time in recent memory, I haven’t thought once about how I can extricate myself from a conversation as soon as possible without seeming rude.

I like talking with Zoe. There are times I’m not sure if she’s shy, reserved, or afraid of me. Just when I think I’ve figured her out, she says something that surprises me.

From the smile tugging on Zoe’s mouth, I think she’s enjoying talking with me, too. “With a little less understanding than you are.”

We reach Colton’s house and I park up outside, but neither of us moves to get out.

“I’m glad I didn’t kill you,” she says.

“So am I.” I pause. “For obvious reasons.”

She grins, and it completely changes her face, and I think—no, I know—that I want to kiss her again. “I had fun at the restaurant.”

“Me too. At no point did I think about diving into the paella to escape,” I say drily.

She laughs. “Neither did I.”

As we study each other, the moment stretches out, and I recall her admission she’d never been on a date before. It’s something we both have in common.

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