Page 71 of I'm Watching You

‘I don’t need a babysitter,’ Lindsay said.

Zack wasn’t put off. He fell into step beside her. ‘When’s the last time you ate?’

She faced him. ‘I was on my way to lunch when what’s-his-name decided to turn my neck into hamburger.’

Zack glanced down the road. ‘The closest place is a burger shop.’

‘Walkers can’t be choosers.’

‘You need a real meal – the kind with plates, a table with a cloth, and napkins.’

‘I don’t have time or a car for that kind of stuff.’

‘You can spare an hour. I’ll drive.’

He was right. She was hungry, shaken, and needed to collect her thoughts. ‘Fine.’

Zack guided her to his car, opened the door, then closed it after she got in. He slid behind the wheel, put the car into gear, and pulled onto Woodman Road.

In the confined space, Lindsay was aware of his hands on the wheel, the width of his shoulders, the way he clenched and unclenched his jaw as he drove. Suddenly, she wasn’t so sure this was a good idea.

‘So where are we headed?’ she said.

‘An Italian place close by.’

She tried to relax back into the seat. She needed to loosen the reins for a little while but feared if she did the energy would completely drain from her body.

Zack soon pulled into the parking lot of a small eatery, put the car in park, and turned off the engine. She had climbed out and was halfway around the car before she really looked at the restaurant.Zola’s. The restaurant owned by his parents. ‘Aw crap, Zack. Not here. It’s your parents’ restaurant.’

He had the nerve to look shocked. ‘Why not? It’s the best food in town.’

She shot him a frustrated look. ‘Zack, I’m not exactly on your parents’ favorite person list. I haven’t seen them in a year.’

That seemed to surprise him. ‘They’ve nothing against you.’

She blew out a breath. ‘Please, Zack.’

He stood so close to her she could see he wore the shirt she’d given him. ‘They like you, Lindsay. It will be fine. Besides, they’re not even here today. Mom’s got Dad helping her with Eleanor’s birthday party. It’s Saturday.’

His explanation didn’t dispel her unease. ‘Eleanor must be excited.’

‘Mom’s turning the party into a big thing. Dad is going along without a fight, which tells me he’s having fun. They’ve invited half of Richmond.’

Lindsay’s heart clenched. When she’d eloped with Zack the Kier family had welcomed her with open arms. She’dfallen for the entire clan as hard as she’d fallen for Zack. And when she’d kicked him out, she’d desperately wanted to explain to his parents why. But they’d never called her and she hadn’t felt right about calling them. As fast as she’d made a family, she’d lost one.

Lindsay managed a smile. ‘I’m glad for them. Don’t they have an anniversary coming up soon?’

‘Next month. Thirty-five years.’

‘Wow.’

Zack stared at her as if trying to read her mind and then, placing his hand in the small of her back, guided her into the restaurant. Immediately they were hit with a blast of cold air. The interior was dark and it took a moment for their eyes to adjust. The place was deserted.

‘Where is everyone?’ she said.

‘We don’t open until four on Tuesdays.’

‘If they aren’t open, why are we here? I don’t want to put anyone out.’

---