Page 77 of Afternoon Delight
“Also, given your history, we could wind up having to call the fire department.” He crowded me against the desk. His hand found my waist. “Maybe we should pre-order the jaws of life.”
There was a flicker of light at the window. I glanced over to see Shelby cupping her face against the glass to look at the display.
“Oh.” Guilt dropped into my belly like a stone. I stepped away from Zak. “Good news. Shelby’s here.”
“Oh.” His mouth kicked sideways in a rueful grin. “Is this going to be awk?—”
“Mom?” The door jangled, and she appeared from behind the shelf.
“Hi,” I said in a voice that was an octave too cheerful.
“Thanks for this,” Zak said as he whipped the note off the Post-it pad. “I’ll call them later.” He folded it and stuck it in his shirt pocket, then thrust out his hand to Shelby. “Judging from the resemblance to Meg and Vickie, you must be Shelby. I’m Zak.”
“Hi.” She gave him a thorough, curious look, her gaze flickering between us as she read the undercurrents. “I was going to ask if you wanted me to get you a sandwich, but it looks like you have one.”
“I do, but I can share.” I reached for the bag I hadn’t yet touched. “Zak was telling me he’s helping Roddie sell Grandpa’s fishing gear by brazenly tugging on heartstrings.”
“Cast a line and reel ’em in.” Zak threw an imaginary line into water and rolled his wrist.
“Grandma finally called that guy who gave her his number for Grandpa’s car.”
“Really?” My eyebrows nearly escaped my forehead.
“She said three cars in the driveway looks like she’s running a hostel. She wants to park in the garage. Also, I found some boxes of taxes and stuff that are from before I was born. I said I’d take those to the shredder.”
“You’re a lifesaver.” I gave her half my sandwich and pointed at the stool.
Shelby made herself comfortable and turned her attention to Zak. “Roddie said you live in Vancouver?”
“I’ve been there since I left for BCIT, yeah.” He didn’t so much as blink at the fact he was facing an interrogation. “My dad and sister are here, though, so Victoria has always felt like home.”
“Zak is a tech bro,” I stage-whispered.
“I prefer ‘brogrammer,’” Zak said with a curl of his lip.
“Meaning you’re used to being surrounded by dicks? Is that why this isn’t weird for you?” Shelby nodded at the shelf of dildos and vibrators next to where he stood.
Zak snapped a look at me. “I like her. Which doesn’t surprise me.” He took a bite of his sandwich and motioned while he chewed and swallowed. “Roddie cracks me up. He said he wants to hide in the wardrobe so the next time Dad runs his magician spiel on a customer, he can pop out and claim he’s the magician and that he’s been stuck in there for years. Best coming-out story ever, he said.”
“Oh, Rod.” I couldn’t help laughing while Shelby covered her mouth so she wouldn’t lose the bite of sandwich she’d just taken.
Zak finished his and chased it with a gulp of coffee.
“I know I should offer to help take boxes to the shredder or whatever, but I think I’ll go home for a nap, then—I don’t know—get the oil changed on the car? I’m not sure what to do with a day off. I haven’t had a real one in a long time.”
“When I had a break from helping Mom with Dad, I used to drive out to Sooke and have lunch at the pub. It’s long enough to clear your head, but close enough you can be back quickly if you have to.”
“Maybe.” He nodded. “Thanks. Good to meet you, Shelby. I’m sure I’ll see more of you later this week. If you guys need the van for anything...”
“We’ll figure it out. Go,” I insisted. “Take a break. You need it.”
“Yeah. Going.” He took his coffee and left.
Shelby turned wide eyes on me. “Rod told me he’s hot, but he’s hot.”
“He’s cute,” I agreed, setting down my sandwich to flip a record in the credenza.
“Cute? Mom. I saw you guys through the window. What’s going on between you?”
