“He’s a brilliant investor. And you know that.”
“I do.” He cocked his eyebrow. “Just wanted to see how fast you’d come to his defense. “So spill it. What did he do? And what are you planning?” He shifted his body and made a grab for my phone.
It was locked, but the notification screen showed a text from Josh where he said he’d be happy to join the soiree. I dropped my head in my hands. This plan to make Wesley jealous to get him to confess he had real feelings for me was the stupidest thing I’d ever come up with. If I took into account my plan to hire an old marine guy to escort me to Venezuela to find my brother, that was saying something.
“Who the hell says soiree these days? He sounds like a douchebag. I don’t like him.” He tossed the device at my feet.
I missed Zack’s light humor and easy-going personality. I bet all the girls in South Africa were madly in love with him. A hot doctor saving lives while helping the community kick start a fish farm was hard to resist.
“So tell me. How many women are crying themselves to sleep tonight because you’re not in South Africa anymore?”
He chuckled. “Don’t change the subject. What’s the deal with soiree boy? My twin spidey senses tell me this has something to do with Wes.”
“He’s a congressman.”
“Fancy.”
“And he’s keen on me.”
“Keen? Did he say that word?”
“I think so.” I laughed at the absurdity of it. Josh was too old for me, just like Wes had said. But it was more than the ten years between us, everything about him was just old school. “It’s so stupid. What does he really want with me?”
Zack peered at me with fake shock. “Are you serious with that? Putting aside the fact that you’re basically a ready-made politician’s wife, name, money, brains, you get the picture. You’re also a caring and selfless woman. You’re talented and I’m gonna say it…hot. Of course, Mr. Congressman is keen on you. The question is, are you? Please don’t tell me you’re considering him just because my brother shot you down. Again.”
“No.” My gaze shifted toward my phone then back to Zack.
His deep chuckle made a few birds rustle the treetops. “You’re using him to get to Wes? So devious and so perfect. I’m in.”
“I’m horrible.”
“No, you’re not. You’re finally wising up. What made you come up with this genius strategy?”
Zack’s brothers used to call him Dr. Phil because he could smell family drama a mile away, but also because he was good at seeing the bigger picture and finding an amicable solution to any issue. I told him everything, starting with Charlie being lost in the jungle, then Wesley’s controlling methods to keep me in Atlanta, my plan to hire an old family friend, and finally I told him about the almost kiss.
“After all these years, he finally came to his senses.” He listened intently, no judgement, no jokes.
His hazel gaze stayed on me while I told him about my feelings. How I thought I was done with Wes until I saw him again. How I’d resolved to fight for him. “Is that crazy? What am I even fighting for if he’s never told me he even likes me?”
“Not crazy at all. If you want something, you should fight for it. If my brother is stupid enough to let you go, then that’s on him.” He placed his arm around me, and I rested my head on his shoulder.
My first day back had been a huge disappointment. More than anything because I’d assumed that once I returned to Atlanta, I would never be alone again. Finding an empty house had been like a sucker punch to the gut. Zack was right. If I wanted a family, a home, I needed to lay it all on the line.
“Thank you. I missed our pep talks. Why haven’t you called? It’s been months.”
“I got transferred to a new community in the middle of nowhere. I have to walk five miles to get to a place with reception. There’s a bus that runs once a week, but I rarely have time to make it.” He squeezed me tighter. “If I’d known you needed a friend, I would’ve made the trek. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. You’re here now.” I turned to face him. “For a while, I hope.”
He nodded. “Yeah, I think it’s time I come home. I need family time.” He glanced up beyond the four-foot fence and the creek that served as a property divider between the two homes. Deep in the woods, Wesley stood glaring at us, not trying to hide, but not coming toward us either.
“I should get him to join us.” I made to stand.
“Let him be. If he wants to come over, he knows the way. Stick to the plan. Do you have a dress to wear?”
“No. That’s on my to-do list.” I dusted grass blades off my denim shorts. “I need a lot of help in that department.”
“I’ll go with you. Just say when.”