Page 15 of Zac

“She’s checking you out?”

“No.” I take a drink of my water. “All the shit she was saying to Presley, it’s more than that.”

“Okay so Presley wants you and she’s her spy.”

“Dude, be serious.” He’s like a man child sometimes.

“I am serious, think about it. She jumped you, out of nowhere. Yeah, she then got pissed and didn’t talk to you for weeks, but we all know now where that came from. It wasn’t anger, it was fear and worry.” He takes another bite of his burger, talking with his mouth full. “Now with that outta the way, there’s room to explore.”

I stare at him, he nods, like he’s got it all figured out and I find myself wondering just how many brain cells he actually has. He’s lost his fucking mind.

“Is there anything else I can get you guys?” Glancing over I am met with Presley who is leaning against the edge of the bench seat I am currently sitting in. Her cheeks look flushed and I want to be all possessive and tell her she needs to get off her feet. But doing that will only set her off and I have to tread lightly. I may not get it fully, I may not know everything that had gone on in her past, but I know her ex is a douche. Aurora has told me that much, leaving her on her own to take care of everything including Grayson.

I’m fighting wanting to do it all, and she is fighting to hang on to her independence. I get it, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.

“When are you off?” I forget all about Jace sitting across from me, but honestly I don’t care.

She lifts her wrist, looks at her watch and then back to me. “Thirteen minutes.” She offers me a smile and I can’t help to offer one in return.

“Why don’t you and Grayson come over and hang out at my place?”

“Gray is having another slumber party with Craig. I swear he shows up twice a week randomly to steal him away. I’m not complaining, Gray loves it, but it sorta makes me feel bad. I know he’s so busy.”

“Please, Craig loves that shit,” Jace mumbles once again. “Sometimes I think he enjoys it more than the kids. He’s already talking about building onto his house so he can turn it into some great big play area for all the grandbabies he’ll have.”

“He’s a great guy,” she says with a smile.

“Okay fine, then you can come over.” I just want a night where I can ensure she relaxes. “Kick your feet up, we can order in or I can cook?—”

“Don’t let him cook for you,” Jace mumbles still chewing on his burger. I shoot him a look that I hope expresses that I want him to shut up. He only shrugs like it’s no big deal. “What, you know you burn grilled cheese.”

“It’s okay.” She waves it off. “Honestly I was thinking of going home, taking a long shower and curling up under the covers. My feet hurt, and I smell like grease.”

“I have a shower,” I interrupt her thoughts. “It has multiple body spa sprayers, with a rain sky shower head. It’s incredible.”

“It is.” I consider giving my best friend another death glare, but his comments are working in my favor this time. “Like a fucking dream. Even a ledge you can sit on if you just want to take it all in.”

“Sounds amazing, but really I?—”

“I insist.” It’s like pulling teeth. “We can order whatever you want, watch a movie and you can even sleep over.”

She arches her brow and Jace clears his throat. “If it gets late, I’ll sleep on the couch.”

“He’s persistent,” Jace states. “Besides the two of you are tied together now for at least the next eighteen years, so you may as well get used to it.”

Presley looks from me to Jace, and then back to me. I hang my head, thinking well this conversation is over when she surprises me. “Hope you don’t mind me lounging on your couch in my pajamas.”

“Not at all,” I say with a smile.

“Especially if they are lace and see through,” Jace adds and I pick up my napkin to throw at him when Presley leans forward and smacks him on the back of the head. Before walking off leaving me laughing at Jace’s stunned look.

“You can tell she’s related to Aurora,” he grumpily mumbles rubbing his head like a scorned child. “I’m gonna end up with brain damage.”

I raise a serious brow at him and am just about to tell him thatgonna end up withis probably the wrong choice of word when he flips me off.

“Seriously though, don’t cook for her.” He tosses a fifty on the table and stands. “You’d feel like shit if she ended up sick and it was because you gave her food poisoning.”

“I’ve never given you food poisoning.”

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