“Are you spying on me now?”
“What? No!”
“I’m joking. My date left already.”
“Why did you jump in like that?”
Zach shrugs, that infuriatingly casual smile playing on his lips. “Saw you with him and figured you deserved a rescue. He looked like he was all wrong for you, and then I saw him hitting on the waitress. Thought he was a jerk.”
I huff, the last remnants of my irritation flaring up. “I didn’t need your help, Zach. I had it handled.”
Unfazed, Zach just takes my hand. “Come on,” he says, his tone softening, “let me take you somewhere that’ll cheer you up.”
Before I can protest, he’s already leading me down the block to a cozy dessert shop—one of my favorite spots. I glance up at him, surprised. “How did you know about this place?”
He gives me a small smile, that twinkle in his eye making me suspicious. “I have my ways.”
I narrow my gaze at him but decide to let it go. We settle into a corner table, and over dessert, Zach leans back, studying me thoughtfully.
After a moment, he leans forward, a smirk playing at the edges of his mouth. “So… I heard you’re on the hunt for a wedding date,” he says, his tone casual but his gaze sharp. “Doesn’t seem like it’s working out, by the looks of it.”
I nearly choke on my forkful of cake. “What? Who told you that?”
“Wyatt mentioned it.” He shrugs, clearly enjoying my reaction. “Seems you’re going through quite the effort to findMr. Perfectto bring along. Sounds like a real adventure.”
I roll my eyes, trying to keep my composure. “It’s not an adventure. It’s practical. I want to find someone who meets certain standards. A date who’s reliable, has a decent job, knows how to dress well—”
“A checklist, huh?” he interrupts, his brows raising in amusement. “I didn’t know people really did that.”
“Why wouldn’t they?” I counter, defending my approach. “It’s efficient. And it means I won’t end up with someone like… well, like my date tonight.”
He laughs, leaning back in his seat, clearly amused. “Alright, I get it. But if you’re so focused on finding someone who checks every box, don’t you think you’re missing out on, I don’t know, the fun of it all?”
Before I can respond, his smile widens, mischief lighting up his gaze.
“What if I saved you again?” he asks casually. “Be your date, no strings attached. You wouldn’t have to deal with any more losers like that guy tonight, and you wouldn’t have to go through this checklist madness again.”
“You?” I stare at him, genuinely surprised.
“Yeah. I could be your wedding date,” he says, voice casual, but there’s an edge of something serious in his eyes. “No checklist required. No strings attached. Just… show up, have a good time, and skip the hunt for Mr. Perfect."
I stare at him, caught between disbelief and intrigue.Zach Darling, my wedding date?The idea is ridiculous…and yet, there’s something tempting about it.
Chapter 5
Zach
Thesponsormeetingcouldn’thave gone better. After two hours of discussing terms and contract details over wagyu steaks and aged whiskey, we’ve reached an agreement that will make me the new face of their luxury watch line.
Mark is practically glowing as we leave the private dining room, already talking strategy for the big announcement.
As we head toward the exit, I spot a familiar figure seated at a table across the room. Lainey. She’s wearing a navy-blue dress that hugs her curves in all the right places, her blonde hair falling in loose waves around her shoulders. But it’s her expression that catches my attention—that polite, slightly strained smile I’ve come to recognize as her “I’d rather be anywhere else” face.
“I think I’ll stick around for a while,” I tell Mark, nodding toward the bar.
Hefollows my gaze and spots Lainey. “Behave yourself, Zach. Don’t make me call Janelle.”
The mention of Janelle makes me wince. The last thing I need is her stepping in to manage my so-called image. “Relax, Mark. I promise to be on my best behavior.”
