“Just hung out with an old friend.”
Old friend.
When I wrap my arms around him, I smell it. Honey’s perfume. The only old friend he’d be so happy to see.
“We lost track of time catching up,” he says as we pull apart, and I raise a brow. Really? Is he seriously going to pretend we both don’t know what he was up to.
“For sixteen hours?” I ask, crossing my arms, and studying Zach.
“Yeah, you know how it is.”
“How was Honey?” Jamie asks, still happy to piss off Zach when he can. That smile Zach’s been sporting lessens just a little as he narrows his eyes at Jamie.
“Nicks. Surprised to see you here this morning.” His eyes track down his body. “In my clothes, no less.”
Jamie lets out a low laugh. “Yeah, sorry. Had an incident, and my clothes got a little wet.”
“It’s cool,” Zach says, nodding in a way that feels like he’s convincing himself. “They look a little big on you, but I guess we’re not all built the same.”
“I’ll have them back for you soon.”
“No problem.” Zach casually strolls to the couch as he asks, “How were the salsa lessons, Tiff? Did you work Reese’s hips?”
“Yes—” I cringe. “No—. We had fun, but the night was cut a little short because Ella got sick.”
“Oh, well, isn’t that convenient?” He throws us an amused smile, and I so badly want to slap my cousin upside the head, but he’s too far away. Zach strokes Ella’s hair and kisses her forehead. “How you feeling, Ella-Bear?”
“Good,” she sings. “Did you just see what Peepers did?” She points at the TV from the couch, forcing Zach’s attention to it.
Jamie clears his throat, and leans in. “I should probably—”
“Stay,” Zach says, grinning from across the room. His tone is lighter than I've heard in months. “You're basically living here anyway at this point.” He glances at me, one eyebrow raised. “Right, T?”
Heat floods my face, and I divert my gaze to Ella, pretending I didn’t hear him say that.
“Don’t worry, Zach. I won’t invade your house. I’m moving into my apartment on Friday. Just need to get this interviewout of the way, and I’ll finally be a fully functioning member of society.”
I’m happy for Jamie because this is something he clearly wants, but the thought of him not coming back here makes me sad. Iwanta repeat of last night. Every single night if I’m being honest.
“What time do you need to be at your interview?” I ask.
“Eleven.” He glances at his phone. “Which gives me about an hour and a half.”
“We can drive you,” I offer, very aware of Zach watching this exchange with amusement. “Drop you off, go to Ella's game, and pick you up after?”
“Yes,” he says, and I watch his whole face transform. “I'd love that.”
Zach glances between the two of us. “Sounds like everyone's having a good day.” He heads toward the stairs. “Ella-Bear, I’m going to shower, and then I’ll join you, okay?”
“Okay!”
Zach turns his attention back to Jamie, calling over his shoulder, “Try not to burn the house down while I'm gone, Nicks.”
“No promises,” Jamie calls after him, and I catch the barest hint of a grin on Zach's face before he disappears upstairs.
The shift is subtle but unmistakable. Zach didn't threaten him. Didn't glare or posture or make thinly veiled promises of violence. Just… accepted him being here.
In our kitchen. With me. With Ella.