Page 24 of Call it Fate

“I’m not a dick,” I said indignantly.

“You need to listen to her side of the story, that’s all I’m saying.”

“You’re right,” I admitted.

“Of course, I am.” He laughed, then grew serious. “Hey, let me know how it goes. If you need me, I can be there in a few hours. If she’s a bitch about it, I happen to know a pretty damn good lawyer who’ll always have your back.”

And that’s why Clay was my best friend. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

CHAPTER12

Emalee

“Wow! Who wasthat?” My best friend, Megan, gawked at Zach’s retreating backside. She twisted her body so she could keep her eyes glued to it. “I’d sure like to be the candy on his pillow tonight.” She dropped a box on my kitchen table where I was hiding, releasing a divine smell of chocolate.

She meant her words innocently enough, but they still caused a surge of jealousy to flow through my already rattled nerves.

Thank god, this morning was my chocolate delivery day. Megan worked at Bliss Confections, a candy store a block over that had been in her family for almost seventy years. For the past two, she’d taken over the management so her parents could have more free time to travel.

Megan made little chocolates with The Dogtrot Bed and Breakfast’s name and logo, which I put on the pillows each day when I cleaned the rooms. I got a professional and elegant, small touch for my guests, and she got the free advertising that came with the packaging. It was a win for everyone.

I carried the box to my desk and dropped it. “Perfect timing,” I said, grabbing Megan’s hand and pulling her to the kitchen, where I knew we’d be undisturbed for at least a few minutes.

“Emalee, what’s gotten into you?” Apprehension shadowed her gray eyes. “Did he hurt you? Do I need to run after him and mess up his pretty face?” She put up her fists and pretended to take a jab.

I appreciated her concern, but I couldn’t smile back at my beautiful and protective friend. “He did, but not recently.” I leaned closer, almost afraid to say the words out loud. “That was Zach.”

Her brow furrowed, then her mouth fell open. “No way!” she shouted. At my warning glare, she dropped her voice to a dramatic whisper. “Zach?The disappearing one-nighter?”

I nodded, not bothering to correct her that I’d known him for more than one night. I understood what she meant.

Her eyes blinked several times as she absorbed the information. She was one of the few who knew the entire story. “He showed up after all this time? How’d he find you?”

“He didn’t findme. He found The Dogtrot. He’s staying here and seemed just as surprised to see me as I was him.”

She scowled. “Forget the chocolate. I hope you short-sheeted his bed and charged him double.”

“He was a last-minute add. Shannon booked him Monday while I was out. Then I was so busy prepping for the storm, I never looked at the reservation before he checked in. He’s here filling in for Doc Claypool.”

“Does he know?” Her eyes widened as she realized the full implication of my ex’s arrival.

“He saw Iain this morning before I could tell him, right before you walked in. It only took him two seconds to see the resemblance and figure it out. You saw his reaction. Now, I don’t know what to say or do.”

She pulled me to the kitchen table and pointed to a chair. “Look,” she said, taking her own seat, “you don’t owe him a damn thing.” She jerked her thumb toward the front door. “That asshat owes you.”

“He was surprised, Meg. Obviously, his parents never told him I was pregnant. You should have seen his expression.” I thought of the emotions that flickered across Zach’s face. “He was stunned, and now he’s pissed. I think he blames me for everything.”

“His parents suck donkey balls.” Despite the seriousness of the moment, her expression got me to laugh.

Megan looked thoughtful. “Okay, let’s say he honestly didn’t know. Did he say where he’s been?”

I shrugged. “He went on to veterinary school.”

She shrugged. “I thought he was going to be a doctor slash lawyer? That was crazy if you ask me. It makes becoming a vet suddenly sound easy.”

“He changed his mind. In a crazy twist, he was sent here to fill in for Doc Claypool.”

Megan bit her lip as her fingers drummed the table. “I’m guessing he didn’t get your letter.”

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