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“You were saying,” he said, his gaze falling from my eyes to my lips.
“Well, I just heard the news this morning. I was going to message you but wasn’t sure if I should.”
“I’d have welcomed it. It’s been hell these past few weeks. A message from you at any time would have been sunshine on some hellish days.”
“No doubt. When is the funeral?”
“It was two weeks ago. We just finished wrapping some things up back in the city this week. The rest I can do from here with the help of my lawyer. We just got back into Willow Valley a couple of days ago. I had to get Grace settled at school and let her teachers know. I also had to pick up some school things or else I’d have dropped by sooner. I thought about dropping by the house last night but didn’t think it would be appropriate.”
I frowned. “I thought you went back to your corporate job.”
Zach looked at me and chuckled. “Where on earth did you hear that?”
We both looked at one another and at the same time said LuAnn’s name.
“God that woman. What other things is she spreading around?”
I laughed. “Don’t worry about it. Most likely, she told me a few lies just for her benefit.”
Grace came over with three books in her hands and handed them to Zach. “Can I get these, please?” she asked.
Zach looked them over and nodded. “Sure.”
I made a note of the books she’d taken to mark them on the computer once they left. I handed them back to her, and she smiled up at me. “Thanks, Iris.”
“Welcome.”
“Alright, Grace, go get in the truck. I’ll be along as soon as I pay Iris for the book that was late.”
Grace took off out the door, and I looked at Zach.
“You know, don’t worry about the fees,” I said.
“No, that isn’t how the program works, remember?” he said, winking at me.
I smiled, thinking back to the first time we’d met and how I’d given him the lecture on the rules of the program.
“I know. I’ll take care of it. Don’t worry.”
“Iris, I’m not having you pay for my child’s late return.”
I glanced over to make sure the door to the lunchroom was still closed, then I leaned over the counter and met Zach’s eyes. “I’ll take care of it, if you’ll join me for dinner, say Saturday night.” The words had even surprised me, but I’d missed him, and I hadn’t realized just how much until he was standing in front of me.
Surprise lined Zach’s face, and then a smile fell on his lips. I wasn’t sure, but I thought I even saw a hint of pink in his cheeks. “Are you asking me out?”
I smiled and pulled the book they’d returned and placed it on the counter by the computer. “So, what if I am?”
“I can’t very well allow a beautiful woman to take me out for dinner.”
I smiled. “Why not?”
“I wasn’t raised that way. Plus, if my mother found out, she’d kill me.”
We both laughed. Then he grew serious. “But Saturday sounds perfect. So, I will see you then.”
I walked around the counter to walk him to the door, but as I approached him, he stopped, turned around, and pressed his lips to mine. “I really missed you.”
“Missed you too,” I whispered. “See you Saturday.”
