Page 42 of We're One

“I want to do things right this time around. I could use some of your magic and good luck.”

She laughs. “Oh, people think I’m magical, but I’m just an ordinary woman,” Eileen says with a little extra sparkle in her eyes. “But don’t you worry, Zach, you and Sia have good things coming your way.” I feel a little zap of electricity flow through me and wonder if there really is some truth to the rumors that Eileen is magical. A slight shudder runs through me. I remind myself I don’t believe in magic or fate. I make my own choices.

Eileen gets called away and I finish my coffee just as Amelia comes back out with a large box of donuts and a bag. I pay, giving her a great tip, and make my way outside, hurriedly getting away from the café before I get stopped again.

Carrying the breakfast bounty, I walk down the already active sidewalks of town. It doesn’t take long to get to her house. I remember it well from walking her home countless times nine years ago. I never went inside. Sia kept me her little secret from her parents. I didn’t mind then. This time I do mind. It isn’t happening again. I want us out in the open.

I walk with confidence up her steps to the front door and ring the bell. I hear steps inside, then a beautiful woman, looking far too young to be Sia’s mother, answers the door wearing a fluffy pink robe, her blonde, short haircut perfectly in place. She looks at me with confusion.

“May I help you?” she asks. There’s no fear in her voice, just confusion. That lack of fear might have something to do with the sign in the front yard that says, Due to the cost of ammo a warning shot will not be fired. I better not make these people angry.

“Good morning,” I say, giving her my best smile that’s been known to melt hearts. She doesn’t appear to be too affected by it, so I quickly go on. “I’m Zach, Sia’s boyfriend. I brought breakfast.” I hold up the donuts and bag like a Publisher’s Clearing House prize. The woman’s lips slowly turn up as light dawns in her eyes.

“Nice to meet you, Zach. Come on in,” she says as she holds open the door. This town is a lot more trusting than people in Seattle. I could be lying to her. Then again, I’m sure she’s already heard through the gossip mill that two men were on the plane with her daughter and friends. She’s most likely already gotten my full description.

We walk through the living room into the kitchen where I find a blurry-eyed, tangled-hair Sia sitting at a comfortable table gripping a cup of coffee in her hands like it’s a lifeline. She’s wearing adorable short shorts and a pajama top, and it takes all I have not to pull her up and drag her to the nearest bed. She’s positively radiant in the morning, even with her shocked expression and glowing cheeks. She looks from me to her parents, then back to me, a bit of horror in her eyes.

I feel great. I honestly want to wake up every single day seeing her face. I’ve never had this thought before. I don’t know what exactly it means, but I’m not fighting it. I like how it feels, like throwing her off-kilter, and I really love kissing her.

Without hesitation I walk to her, lean down, and give her a quick kiss on the lips. She gasps, as her eyes light up a bit, and her cheeks flush even more pink. “Good morning, beautiful,” I whisper before leaning back. Her mom watches the whole exchange. If it was only her and me, it wouldn’t have been a chaste kiss.

“You didn’t tell me you had a boyfriend,” Sia’s mother chides as she gazes at Sia.

Sia stutters for a moment as she tries to get words past her obviously closed throat. “He’s not my boyfriend,” she finally manages.

Her mother’s arms cross against her chest. “If he’s not your boyfriend, what were you doing out with him all night?” I didn’t think it possible, but Sia’s cheeks flush even more. She looks like a deer caught in headlights right about now as she tries to get more words out. I want to hear what she has to say, but I’m also enjoying this. She’s twenty-seven, but at the moment she’s shifting in her seat like she’s a fifteen-year-old who was caught with the town’s bad boy.

I decide to save her. I need her parents to like me after-all. “Sia’s a bit shy about our relationship. She doesn’t tell anyone we’re seeing each other.” I pull out a chair and sit right beside Sia, letting our shoulders brush. I need to feel her beside me, want her touch. It’s odd how much I need this.

“In her defense, we dated nine years ago when I was here with my brothers and spent a summer together. I didn’t have my head in the right place at the time and made some mistakes. I disappeared and have deep regrets about that. Last month I found her when looking to have my home redesigned. I’ve been lost ever since,” I finish. “Some people say it’s fate.” I almost choke on this last sentence, but I’m trying to charm her parents.

Before her mom can say anything, Sia’s dad walks in the room. It’s not often I find men taller than I am, but he has a couple of inches on me and is about my same size. Impressive. Sia didn’t get her height from her father. He looks at me, then at Sia’s mother, then at Sia, before his gaze settles over me again.

“I’m Ben,” he says, holding out his hand.

“I’m Zach, Sia’s boyfriend.” The man’s hand squeezes mine a little bit harder at these words. Good thing I’m used to a strong handshake. He holds on a little longer than necessary before finally releasing his grip. Message received.

“He’s not my boyfriend,” Sia mumbles, but no one listens.

“How long have you been together?” Ben asks. I wait for him and Sia’s mother to take their seats before I sit back down.

“We dated nine years ago, but recently got back together about a month ago,” I say. I then turn to Sia’s mom. “I appreciate you both letting me in, Mr. and Mrs. Rivers.”

“Just call me Carol,” her mother says.

“And me, Ben. I don’t like formality,” Ben says.

“My pleasure.”

Ben reaches over and grabs a breakfast sandwich and Carol grabs a burrito. I think Sia’s now on her second donut. I’ve noticed when she’s nervous she tends to eat. It’s just one more adorable thing about her.

“Zach, what do you do for a living?” Carol asks. It’s so funny what the questions are from dating a teenager to dating a woman. Parents want to make sure their daughters aren’t with losers. I totally get that. I can’t imagine having a daughter and having some punk come around thinking he can date her. It gives me a bit of remorse for how I’ve treated women through the years. They all are somebody’s daughters.

“I manage properties. I do a lot of buying and selling, but I also keep several of them. I have a great team who does all of the day-to-day work, making it easier for me to get away, for example, it’s easy coming here for weeks at a time. I know Sia’s been talking that she wants to get home more,” I say with my most winning smile. These also aren’t just words. If she wants to spend three weeks of the month here, I’m more than willing to accommodate her. At this moment I’m willing to do whatever it takes to keep her at my side.

I see her parents’ eyes light up. They like this a lot. It seems they won’t mind their daughter dating a man who’s willing to bring her home a lot more often than she’s been coming.

They ask a few more questions as all of us make a nice dent in the food I’ve brought over. I’m glad I did. It’s a great icebreaker. Then her dad looks at me with a stern expression.

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