Page 50 of Learning at 40

Zack finds me within seconds, having come through the back door off the patio. He rushes me, and his mouth possesses mine, almost knocking me off my already wobbling, freshly pedicured feet.

He hums into my mouth, cupping my jaw, and once he opens his eyes, they sparkle that brilliant silver.

“You taste like tequila and limes.”

“Margarita,” I purr. “She is my best friend.”

Zack chuckles. “Feeling pretty good?”

“The best, but Anna is blitzed, and Mason’s holding her at the front door. He doesn’t want the kids to see her. He asked if you could clear the floor so he can bring her in.”

Zack slips his arm around me like he does and guides us both to the front hall. “No one’s down here, but I’ll play lookout while he brings her inside.”

When Zack opens the front door, Mason’s leaning just off to the side, balancing a sleeping Anna to his chest. We’ve caught him staring down at her, a soft expression etched on his face, and he looks up, startled by the open door as if he expected to stand there all night holding her.

“I should have dumped her ass in a shopping cart and left her at the front step.”

“Animal House?” I laugh, catching the reference.

“She loves those old movies.”

Yay, Anna. Another thing we have in common, and I’m glad as I really want to remain friends, which might be difficult if Zack leaves, and he and I don’t continue. He could return home, meet another woman, marry her, and live happily ever after. I believe in second chances for everything in life, which is another reason I moved here when the house was left to me. I also believe the third times a charm if that’s what it takes for love.

Zack plays the lookout while Mason carries Anna toward the kitchen and then down the hall to the master suite area.

“Should you help him?” I ask.

“More interested in helping myself to you,” he says, leading us out the front door and pressing me against a column near the front steps. His mouth is ravenous. His hands roam. “But I don’t want to take advantage of you when you’re drunk.”

“I’m not drunk,” I tell him although I am buzzed. His mouth against mine is sobering me up, though. Suddenly, we hear the slight patter of rain hitting the overhang to the front entrance.

“We should go to my house.” My fingers walk up the buttons of another button-down shirt. He must own stock in them and have an extensive dry-cleaning bill because they are always freshly pressed. “We could go inside.” It’d be nice to actually use a bed for once with this man.

Zack stiffens and squints in the direction of my dark house. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why not?” He hasn’t been in my house yet. Not all the days he worked on the tree house nor the mornings the boys have spent in it. He hasn’t asked to use the bathroom or helped himself to a cup of coffee. We’re always outside. Even on the occasions we’ve fooled around, we’ve been in the yard.

As his shoulders stiffen even more, he stills my hand on his chest, and I’m suddenly stone-sober.

“I just don’t.” He pulls his gaze from the house and lowers his forehead for mine so I can’t focus on his face. “And you’ve been drinking.”

I pout, and Zack laughs. “Negotiate,” I whisper, not having the energy to question why he won’t enter the house. He pulls back from touching our foreheads.

“How about I make out with you here, taking some liberties with you until the rain stops. Then I’ll walk you home and kiss you good night on your front porch.”

“That doesn’t sound like a good deal, counselor.” I return to playing with the button on his shirt.

“It’s called compromise.” His voice is low as he speaks. “I’m learning the art of it.”

When he cups my jaw again with both hands, I’m lost. His true talent is kissing me senseless.

19

[Zack]

Anna was certainly suffering a hangover the following morning, and I was worried River might as well. However, she sent me a text in the early hours before her shift.

River: Nothing a little ibuprofen and a lot of water can’t cure, plus some greasy food from the hospital cafeteria.