Page 26 of (Not So) Famous in Paradise

By the time he pulls into the driveway, his coffee is cold, the golden light is gone, and we’re all on edge. But he’s here. That’s all that matters. He hasn’t signed the contract yet, so he’s under no obligation to show up today, or any other day. Which is why I push away my annoyance and go outside to meet him.

“You’re late, Zandwich!” I tease after he shuts his car door. When he doesn’t laugh, or even smile, I know something’s wrong.

He keeps his head down and his hands stuffed in his jacket pockets as he walks slowly across the driveway to the walkway where I’m standing.

“Hey, Georgia. Sorry.” The smile he flashes is as forced as the light tone he uses. A cloud passes the sun and casts a shadow over us both, just to make the mood even darker.

I shiver in the sudden cold, and for the first time, Zach meets my eye. I recognize the look on his face. I’ve been through too many break-ups not to.

I’m about to get dumped.

I think I know why: The pictures. Anyone, including Carly, would have to be blind not to think there’s something more than friendship between Zach and me. Even though there’s not.

My chest tightens like a blood pressure cuff, squeezing my heart and restricting my breath. Maybe it’s because I’ve never been dumped by a friend before, but this approaching break-up feels different from the times I’ve had boyfriends end things. Probably because I’ve never had a relationship end that I wasn’t ready to be over.

Zach reaches for my arm but drops his hand before touching me. “Can we talk?” he asks softly.

I nod, then hold up my index finger to Ike as he steps out of the trailer door. Then I follow Zach around the side of the house. His steps are slow, and his head hangs. Meanwhile, my pulse is racing, and I just want to get this over with.

“Carly’s mad, isn’t she?” I blurt as soon as we’re in the backyard, away from everyone else.

Zach exhales. “She thinks the pictures make us look like a couple.” With the admission, his shoulders relax, but an awkward tension still hangs thick between us.

I tip my head to the side. “She’s not wrong. Evie said something like that too.”

“We both know we’re just friends.” He waves his hand between us. “I don’t know why people want to make something more of those posts. We’re comfortable with each other, that’s all.”

“I know!” I nod too enthusiastically. “People get so weird about a man and woman being friends. I mean, we’re practically family, we’ve known each other so long.”

“Right?” Zach agrees too readily. “Anyway, I tried to explain all that to Carly, but she doesn’t get it either.”

“Oh?” I try to keep my voice as casual as his. “So…what do you want to do?” I brace myself for his answer, even though I already know what it’s going to be. He’s done. Our collaboration is over—at least on camera.

And that thought hollows out my chest, leaving a gaping, Zach-sized hole.

“Obviously I don’t want to back out on you,” he says with a sureness that makes my head jolt up. “But Carly’s threatening to end things if Stella posts any other photos that make you and me look like more than friends.” Zach’s questioning eyes search mine for the answer.

I don’t have one. I understand why he’s upset. I even understand why Carly’s upset, and I respect their relationship.

But the social media posts with the both of us are going viral. The more excitement that builds before the show airs, the better we’ll do. If Zach wants me to let him out of being on camera, I can’t. I’ve got to do what’s best for my show, my business, andourproject.

“Soooo…” I drag out the word to give him time to offer his own solution. When he doesn’t, I give him a gentle nudge. “What doyouwant to do?”

He sucks his teeth. “Can we just pull back on shots of us together? Or at least ask Stella not to put anything up that makes you and me look like we’re a thing.” He offers a conciliatory smile. “Even if I weren’t with Carly, we wouldn’t want to give people the wrong idea, right?”

“Of course not,” I answer too quickly, trying not to think of all the comments from people wanting to see more of us together or calling usthe cutest couple ever.“We can definitely be more careful with how we interact and what we post. For sure. No problem.” I return his smile, then add, with a laugh, “I’ll tell everyone to quit ‘shipping’ us.”

Zach shoots me a grin, his first real one of the day, and with it, I believe everything will be okay. We can make this new arrangement work. Because, if Carly is threatening to break up with him, Zach’s making a huge concession by not bailing on my social media posts all together. He’s figured out a way to keep his promise, and I can’t ask for more than that.

Besides, if Carly really is the one, I’m going to have to get used to sharing him.

Not a problem. I’ve done it lots of times, with every girlfriend he’s ever had.

So why does that thought of sharing him bother me so much now?

“Thanks, Georgia.” Zach pulls me into a hug, and I press my cheek into his chest. He gives great hugs. “I knew you’d understand. You’ve always got my back. That’s why I really didn’t want to let you down.”

“Right back at ya, buddy.” I’ve never called him buddy in my life, but it takes so much effort to keep my voice normal, I can’t control the words that come out of my mouth.

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