Page 16 of Zac

“I know.” He starts nodding. “Because I never ate your cooking.” It’s as if that is all the explanation that is needed. He is completely full of shit, as always.

“Whatever Betty Crocker.” I reach out and smack the back of his head. He groans, spins around and attempts to grab me around the neck as we are walking out of the restaurant.

Glancing back I see Presley smiling as she watches us leave. And right by her side is the crazy girl, grinning like she’s got a secret.

Making my way to Jace’s car I pause at the side and pull my phone out of my pocket. Shooting off a text, I tuck it back in my pocket and then climb inside.

“You think she’ll show up?” he asks.

“She’ll show up.” I look over and grin. “And if not, I know where she lives.”

ChapterTwelve

Presley

Zac: Don’t try to talk yourself out of it. Show up, or I’ll come and get you.

“Um, that’s hot!” I glance over my shoulder to find Heather peeking over my shoulder and down at my phone. Quickly I tuck it against me but I don’t even know why, she’s already read the text.

“Those guys were gorgeous, and maybe a little dangerous.” I turn just in time for her to fake a shiver. “I couldn’t stop staring, do you think they noticed?”

Laughing I nod my head. “They noticed.” Her eyes widen in horror. “I am pretty sure everyone here noticed. You were like a little Peeping Tom, I think at one point you were looking out through the crack in the swinging door.”

“I thought I was being suave.” She pouts.

“Nope.” Hurrying around her I walk toward the back to clock myself out. “You couldn’t have been more obvious. You may as well have sat on their laps.” The second the words leave my mouth I know I’ll regret them.

“I’d love to sit on either of them.” She sighs. “I bet they both give a really good ride.”

“You are crude.”

She laughs. “Tell me I’m wrong.” When I say nothing she does a weird little shimmy. “Exactly, and you and your cousin are the lucky ones they get to enjoy.”

“I enjoyed once,” I correct her.

“And I can almost guarantee that if you wanted to enjoy it again and again you could.” I grab my jacket and roll my eyes but she notices. “Um, you may not have seen the way he was watching you, but I did. I had those men in my sights and let me just say, you were never out of his. It was sweet and very steamy. It’s a look, that I want that girl kind of stare.”

“Anyone ever tell you that you’re a little much?”

“Every single day at least once.” Heather smiles wide, shrugs and starts to walk away. She still has another hour before her shift ends. “But, I’m not afraid to go after what I want and say it loud. Maybe you should follow that motto too.”

Leaving me with those words, she is gone and I’m immediately lost in my thoughts. And those thoughts are running dirty after all her influential advice. It may be a bad idea for me to be alone with Zac.

* * *

“This might be a mistake,” I say into the phone in a hushed whisper.

The one person I know without a doubt will give me her honest opinion whether it hurts or not is on the opposite end of the line.

“You want me to tell you that you need to go home and fake a headache?” Aurora replies with a laugh. A sarcastic, get your shit together and stop stalling tone. “You want me to say you need to keep things casual, keep the distance so that things don’t get messy, but I’m not going to tell you that.”

I hang my head and pinch the bridge of my nose with my fingertips.

“I love you Pres, you are one of my very best friends. We grew up more like sisters than cousins and you’ve had a rough run when it’s come to men. Then there is Zac, who out of all of the guys is and has always been the most sensible and understanding. He is a little rough around the edges but to his core he is a good man. He is a great friend and I know in my heart he will be a good father. However this works between the two of you, whether it be the best of friends or more, I do know at the end of the day, he will be there for you. However you let him, and even if you fight him he’ll be there too. The guy is loyal and he knows what it means to love someone deeply. He may have forgotten what that feels like for a while, until he found Jace and the rest of them. I won’t tell you to go in, but I won’t tell you to leave. What I will tell you is you deserve a good guy in your life, whatever way that ends up being, Zac is the best guy you will ever meet. Let him be there for you.”

She takes a deep breath.

“Let him love this baby, and you, because I can promise you that he will love you. It’s who he is, he’s either all in, or not. But the two of you are connected now. Stop overthinking it, drop the stubborn act and for once stop analyzing everything. Isn’t it time you let go of the past and live your life?”

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