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I know there’s no way I can compete with what Zach has done for me. But I still want to thank him, and I know how.
I call William, sharing my plan before calling Nurse Colleen and making sure that she can stay with Mom a little longer this evening.
I’m checkingthe lemon blueberry tart on the cooling rack when I hear the main door open before Zach strolls inside.
“What’s that smell?” He saunters into the kitchen, holding his laptop case.
My breath catches at the sight of him. He looks so handsome with a touch of a five o’clock shadow and a crooked smile. Slowly, Zach is starting to look less like my son’s insane friend and more like a savior, a knight in a three-piece suit and a Porsche.
“Hope, what are you doing here? Who’s with Gigi?” A crease forms between his eyebrows. The flutters that have started in my stomach crawl up to my chest seeing his concern for Mom.
“Nurse Colleen is with Mom, don’t worry,” I reply after a beat.
His shoulders relax and the grin reappears on his face before he takes a few steps forward. His eyes shine as he looks at the dinner I’ve just laid on the table. He smells the beef Wellington before his finger almost dips in the mashed potato bowl.
“Zach!” I smack his hand away. I thought this man couldn’t surprise me anymore, but God, how he can. “What did you just do?”
“Sorry!” He shrugs his shoulders and grins. “It was too tempting.”
Hearing footsteps, we turn to find William with Ray and Mr. Stanley wagging his tail and circling Zach. I take a deep breath. One more person who is getting attached to Zach’s charms.
“Will, you outdid yourself today.” Zach motions toward the food with an excited nod.
I haven’t met a man who’s so fond of eating.
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, sir, but today’s dinner is compliments of Ms. Davis. She even shopped for all the ingredients herself.”
Zach’s head jerks to me, the smile on his face not wavering for a second. “What’s the occasion? Though I’m not complaining.”
“It’s a just a…thank-you.” A flush creeps up my face at my meager return for Zach’s generosity.
“I love this thank-you. If you feel like saying it more often, I wouldn’t mind.” Zach’s reply with a huge grin makes me so happy.
Don’t overthink, Hope. He liked his surprise and that’s what’s important.
While Zach leaves to change, I place four plates on the breakfast bar.
I’m about to place the sweet-smelling, delicious tart along with the rest of the food, when William says, “I will bring it, Hope. You sit now.”
“You’re joining us tonight.”
When I give him a pointed look, the smile disappears from his face. “That won’t be appropriate.”
“What’s not appropriate?” Zach returns to the kitchen wearing a T-shirt and sweatpants.
In all these weeks, this is the first time that he and I are together in the house. I’ve never seen him in anything but formal pants and suits. This laid-back look is somehow hotter and what people say about barefoot men looking sexy is totally true. I would just add bare strong arms to that list.
“What’s not appropriate?” he asks again, bringing my attention back to William.
“Can’t William eat with us?” I know it’s none of my business, but I also know Zach is not the kind of person who would mind eating with his staff as long as there’s enough for him.
“William, she is the lady of house tonight. You agree to what she says. Now feed me. I’m hungry.”
My heartbeat skitters into high gear at his declaration. Meanwhile Zach is all calm as he flops down on one of the dining chairs and starts chatting with Ray, asking all about my son’s school life.
Be cool, Hope. I repeat the words a few times before starting to serve everyone and in the end place food on my plate. When I look around the table, everything seems so natural, like we have been doing this for so long. Ray has become so used to Zach and William’s attention that I don’t know how I will manage without them, especially if I decide to keep Mom in the hospital.
“Hey, why aren’t you eating?” Zach’s voice breaks through my thoughts and I just smile and shake my head.
Let’s take one day at a time, Hope.
Today, let’s just be happy for this day and we’ll handle tomorrow when it comes.
