Page 17 of Knocked Up

“Me too. I hope Zoe finds someone soon. She’s talking to this fisherman guy online and I don’t know if it’s going anywhere or not. I feel bad for her.”

“Well, I need to set Brooks up with somebody, so if the online thing doesn’t work out, I’ve got a rebound ready.”

“Brooks?No way. I wouldn’t do that to anyone. He’s a hard ass for no reason. Seriously, I’m a little afraid to start working with him regularly.”

Cyrus laughs and holds me tighter as we turn up the dirt road toward the little red cabin in the distance. “He’s a decent guy. You’ve just gotta let everything he says roll off you.”

I’m not sure I can do that, but I’m not going to let some grump keep me from enjoying my new job, my new life, or my new family. Plus, maybe he’ll be better than expected. Most people are. Hell, if someone had told me two weeks ago that I’dhave a parcel of land with a little red cabin set on top of a hill, I’d have called them crazy. Then again, I’d have said the same if they told me I’d be married to a giant, inked up man who worships the ground I walk on.

I know we’re working to make our dreams come true, but there’s a bit of fate in this too. Fate and chance. A sandstorm that changed directions. A wish that came true. A prayer answered.

Whatever it’s called, whatever happened… I’m happy. And at the end of the day, the best stories can start simply. I mean… my happily ever after began with a virgin daiquiri on a Friday night and a big, inked up guy with some hot wings.

THANK YOU FOR READING.

READ ZOE’S STORY HERE.

Chapter One

Zoe

“He’s probably one of those internet fishers.” My mother pours herself a cup of coffee as she speaks. It’s the fresh from Hawaii kind that my aunt brought back from a trip last month. Mom insists on drinking it one drop at a time… to savor the flavors.

“Internet fishers? You mean catfish?” I resist rolling my eyes. “He’s not a catfish, Mom. We video chat all the time.”

“That’s not what I mean. He could have ulterior motives—like those foreign princes that want to take your hard-earned money and use it on bitcoin.”

Now I actually roll my eyes. “Bitcoin?Mom, he doesn’t ask me for money.”

Defying her own savoring of the flavor plan, Mom pours sweetened creamer into her coffee and sighs. “I’m just saying… it’s safer to meet a boy right here in town. It’s how your father and I met.”

I love my mother, I really do. She’s always been there for me, and she really tries, but the woman is clueless. Clueless and overly protective. Take this situation, for instance. I’ve been talking to a guy online for three months.We have a ninety-two percent match in their compatibility system.His background is verified, and we video chat constantly, but he’s not real untilmy mother says he’s real. The mere fact that Icouldmeet him someday puts her in some sort of psychosis.

This is seriously the third time we’ve talked about this in a week. Yesterday, the man was a charming murderer who was filling my head with lies in order to get my virginity and leave me for dead. The day before that, he was a cannibal who had a hunger for young girls. She saw that one onDateline.

“Mom, you and Dad were lucky. You met in high school before the world went to shit and everyone forgot how to talk to each other. No one talks in real life anymore.”

“Then you start the conversation. Find a man you think is attractive and ask him a question. When your dad and I were dating, I asked him what his favorite band was.” She takes a sip of coffee. “He told me it was the Rolling Stones, and I also thought they were a good band, but I pretended to hate them so we’d have something to flirt about.”

I can’t help but laugh at the purity in her statement. “I’ll have to try that.”

“We both know you’re not going to try that.” Her eyes roll to the side. “Come on, Zoe Anne. You’re a beautiful girl. You could meet someone nice right here in Rugged Mountain.”

“I’ve tried. I don’t do the social thing well and the guys around here… I don’t think they find me attractive.”

Her brows wrinkle as though she’s personally insulted. “Why do you say that?”

“Ugh, because I’m alone every Friday night.”

“You don’t leave the house. That’s why you’re alone.”

“Anyway…” I swallow hard and suck in a deep breath. I can’t have this conversation again today. “Things are going well with this guy online and… yeah, we’ll see where it goes.” I’ve barely finished my sentence when my phone interrupts our conversation. “Oh, that’s Nora.”

I stand from the stool and reach for my purse before squeezing Mom tight. Despite all the bullshit, we’ve been through hell and back together. I try and remember that when she’s driving me crazy. “We’re going down to the playground today to help plant flowers.”

“They’re done with the playground? I thought they just started that project?” She wraps her robe tighter before holding the cup of coffee against her lips.

“No, it’s still a construction zone, but Mrs. Robinson is anxious to get the plants in while the weather is right. She wants blooms before the kids come play. I’ll call you later this week. Love you.”

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