Page 68 of The Life-Changing Magic of Falling in Love

‘Are you? Really?’ Oz turns to face Carlos. ‘Because it’s not like you’re ever here anymore.’

‘Not this again.’

‘Yes, this again.’

‘Don’t make this into something it isn’t so you can have an argument about me taking one night every now and again?—’

‘That would be a night every week. Do you really think I believe you’re going to see an old friend who’s,’ Oz finger-quotes, ‘going through some stuff’? How naïve do you think I am? That sort of excuse may have Ashleigh believing you,’ he says, breaking off to give Zach a thunderous look.

I blink. ‘Wow, way to bring us into your personal argument, Oz.’

‘Maybe we should go,’ Zach says looking uncomfortable.

‘Don’t you dare,’ Carlos tells us. ‘You leave and this will descend into another argument about something that isn’t even a thing, instead of us discussing a profitable business idea. Oz, come on, this is a great opportunity. We could prep most of the food here. We have the van for transport. Mrs. Lundy can give us the kitchen for the evening. I’m sure Ashleigh can help us out.’

‘Of course,’ I say. ‘You don’t even have to pay me.’

Oz throws his hands up in the air dramatically. ‘You both think it’s that easy? You two do it. I’m out.’ And for such a big man, he gently breezes past us all and out of the bakery.

‘Out?’ Carlos asks, swearing under his breath. ‘What does that mean? Oz? Oz, what do you mean you’re out?’ Carlos takes off after him leaving Zach and I alone in the bakery.

‘Sorry about that,’ I say into the silence.

‘It’s not your fault. I didn’t have them down as drama llamas but that was intense.’

‘It wasn’t that bad.’ I try and laugh off their argument.

‘The trials and tribulations of running your own business. Kind of what I was talking about earlier. At least we both have jobs we can have a life alongside.’

‘I guess.’

As if he can sense I’m feeling bad for my two friends he pulls me into his arms. ‘Don’t worry, they’ll smooth it out.’

‘I guess,’ I repeat, only softer because I do worry. I’ve seen them bicker, both tired from a long shift at work or one of them in a funk. That’s life, right, and maybe if I hadn’t had that evening with Oz and seen him as upset as I did, I wouldn’t be so worried because one look at Carlos just now and he’s definitely hiding something.

‘And, hey.’ Zach leans down and kisses the tip of my nose. ‘It doesn’t have to spoil our night, which I was really enjoying in case I forgot to tell you.’

‘Me too.’ I smile up at him. Not the kissing the tip of my nose part – feels yuck if I’m honest – but everything else I was enjoying.

He leans down and kisses me on my lips this time and then leans back and looks towards the doorway. ‘How long do you think before one or both come back?’

‘I’m not sure. One of them will figure out they need to lock up. I guess we wait until they figure it out. I think we’re going to miss the movie.’

‘I can deal.’ He kisses me again.

And again.

And as his lips trail lazily down my neck, I suddenly realise what he’s doing and a second before he hits the spot that always makes my knees weak, I jump back. ‘Wait a minute. You want to get it on in our friends’ bakery?’

‘Too weird?’

‘After they’ve had a really bad argument?’

‘It could disperse the negative energy?’ he says with a hopeful wink.

‘I don’t know.’

‘Right. No.’ Zach immediately takes a step away from me. ‘I mean I figure we’ve been out a few times now but if you’re not ready, I don’t want you thinking I’m some pushy jerk.’

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