Page 29 of Honey Sunshine

ZACH

SATURDAY—AFTER DINNER

“Cheers to our new partnership and a successful family dinner!”

And also accidentally becoming irresistibly, irreversibly in love with you, but let’s not talk about that!

I’m beaming from ear to ear as we clink our shots, downing them before reaching for the lemons to square the bitter taste. Today has got to be the most fun I’ve had since college, back when Alex the Dead and I were young, stupid, and without a care in the world.

Slamming my drink on the bar, I waste no time devouring the buffalo wings—still piping hot—and they just hit the spot when dipped in ranch sauce. If this place wasn’t so far from the city, I would come here just for the food.

“I can’t believe you’re actually going to eat all that,” Harvey laughs, and I arch a brow.

“Yeah, the nachos, mozzarella sticks, jalapeno poppers, fries, and buffalo wings may seem like a lot, but I can assure you, I got this,” I remark, sucking the meat right off the bone. “We could always take the leftovers home, but I can totally eat all this.”

“Oh, I believe you, Honey,” he remarks, popping a chip in his mouth, and I try not to stare too hard.

I don’t dare try to persuade myself he’s looking at me fondly, especially with buffalo sauce all over my face, it’s just my brain fucking with me after the most explosive, passionate, mind-shattering kiss we had an hour prior.

My eyes consciously drift to his lips, already feeling heat pool down south. I gotta think of something elsenow,rather than how much I want to kiss him again.

“I mean...” I start as I shove a popper in my mouth. “How else would you stay sober after all these shots if not with food?”

“Are you a lightweight?”

“Eh,” I say, wiggling my flat palm around. “So-so?”

With enough food, I’m actually quite good at holding my liquor, but there’s one very big downside I don’t want to come out, and that’s my lack of self-control. It’s not just the liquid courage I get, but the downright monster that takes over and won’t let me think about the repercussions of my actions. I’d do and say things I knew would bite me in the morning.

It’s as if a switch flips in my brain, and all rational thought goes out the window.

I know without a shadow of a doubt that if I don’t pace myself, I’ll end up confessing my big fat crush on this man. Sometimes, I just have to blame Harvey for being so goddamn perfect and drop-dead gorgeous.

“You got a little... well, a lot,” he chuckles, then reaches over to wipe buffalo sauce from the side of my mouth. And all the while, I can’t shake the feeling that his gaze lingering on me is more than just friendly or professional interest. Hell, there’s nothing professional about what we’ve been doing together.

Yet I can’t bring myself to pump the brakes. I don’t want to, even if this may just crush me in the end.

“Thank you,” I say, biting my bottom lip and trying miserably to stop my heart from practically leaping out of my chest andjumping right into his arms. Ultimately, I end up shoving the crispy fries down my throat instead.

Maybe heartburn might stop it.

We continue to eat, drink, and chat, discussing the family dinner events from earlier and laughing at the multiple mishaps that occurred. Truthfully, I absolutely love his parents—especiallyhis mom. She’s the funniest and most down-to-earth woman I’ve ever met.

As we munch away, the liquor keeps coming as we transition into discussing business. And a part of me is excited at the thought of continuing to see him both in and out of work.

Soon enough, I’m grinning like a fool at everything he says.

“Alright, Zach?—”

I frown for some reason, hating Harvey for saying my name, and I wiggle my finger in front of his face.

“No, Honey.Honey.”

He pauses . . . and then that beautiful smile.

“Honey,” he corrects, and I nod.

“Much better.”

---