The barbecue restaurant was crowded, with dozens of flat-screen TVs plastering the walls.
I scanned the TVs in hopes of finding . . . “Oh, good, they have the Jazz game on.” I settled in my seat. And no, Zander did not pull out my chair for me. “I bet my brother Lincoln twenty bucks they were going to beat the Nuggets tonight.”
“You’re a basketball fan?”
“Pretty much a fan of any sport.”
“Do you have a favorite?”
“Football. I’m a huge Denver Bronco’s fan. I was so bummed Peyton Manning retired, but I’m glad he got to go out on a high note.”
“It was a great game, even though I was rooting for the Panthers.”
I grimaced. “Cam Newton is such a cry baby. And what is that dabbing thing he’s always doing?”
“You mean this?” Zander demonstrated.
“It’s ridiculous.”
“Now, darlin’, those are fighting words in the South.”
“Bring it on.”
His eyes were full of amusement. “I think you and I will get along just fine.”
I tucked my hair behind my ear. “We’ll see.”
He turned his gaze from me to the male server that came to take our drinks. Zander ordered a beer before I had a chance to say anything.
“Water. Thank you.” I smiled at the handsome server who gave me a wink.
“Water?”
“What’s wrong with water?”
“It’s Friday night. Get a beer or order a cocktail.”
I met his gorgeous eyes. “I don’t drink.”
He leaned back in his seat. “Are you joking?”
I shook my head. “My mom was killed by a drunk driver when I was fourteen.” I did my best not to get emotional about it. Or to think about the snowy day twelve years ago when my life forever changed. I think it was then my dad made up his mind that I would never grow up and call Addison home. He sent me away as soon as I graduated from high school.
Zander took his hat off and ran his fingers through his hair before replacing the ball cap. “I had no idea. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. How could you have known? And besides, do you know how many calories are in beer?” I smiled to let him know I really was okay.
He patted what I’m sure was a six-pack of abs. “It’s all in how you go about it. But, if it makes you uncomfortable, I won’t drink. I’m always responsible when I drive.”
“I appreciate that, but I have no problem calling a cab or a friend to come pick me up if I feel like you’re anything but capable of driving safely.” It wouldn’t be the first time I had left a date and taken their keys.
“I don’t doubt that about you.”
“Anyway, let’s move on. Tell me about your family.”
He shrugged. “Not much to tell. My parents are retired and live in Florida. My brother Quinn and his wife, along with my niece and nephew, live in Australia, so we don’t see them much.”
“Australia? Have you been to visit?”
“Nah. My sister-in-law, Jessa, is a nut job.”
“Ouch. Does she know you feel that way?”
“I’ve expressed it a time or two.”
“Why doesn’t that surprise me?”
He grinned. “I tell it like it is.”
“How does your brother feel about that?”
“He knows he married a train wreck. But what can he do about it now?”
“I guess he didn’t use Binary Search to find his soulmate?”
“He was married long before Kenadie started her company. And even her system isn’t foolproof. People and circumstances change. We don’t guarantee happily-ever-afters. And I don’t buy into soulmates.”
I had to hold back my question when our server returned with our drinks and to take our order. On Zander’s recommendation, I ordered the beef brisket, knowing full well it wasn’t going to be anywhere near as good as Dad’s. He ordered pulled pork over a baked potato and a glass of water.
I didn’t say anything about the water other than to smile at him. Besides, I had other questions. “If you don’t believe in soulmates, what do you believe in?”
He grinned like that was an easy answer. “Beautiful women and having as much fun with as many of them as I can.”
I rolled my eyes.
“That’s Kenz’s reaction.”
“You never want to settle down?”
He focused on a hockey game playing on a screen near us. “Thought about it once, but I got over it.”
“Kenadie?”
His gaze penetrated me. “You’re observant. But it’s all for the best. I’m not the settling down type and Kenz deserves someone like Jason.”
“What about Brooke?”
“She was a lapse in judgement.”
Something on the screen caught my eye and I ignored my handsome pseudo date. I was glad I did too. The prettiest half-court shot was made. I cheered loudly. “Oh my gosh did you see that?” I stood up out of my chair to watch the replay of it. “Amazing.” I sat back down to Zander staring at me. I bit my lip. “I get a little excitable when my teams play.”
His gorgeous green eyes looked alive as he leaned toward me over the small table for two. “What else excites you?” His tone was low and seductive.
Judging by the way my insides were dancing and the need to catch my breath, I would say he excited me. I leaned in too. “Now, if I revealed that on our first pretend date, what kind of girl would I be?”
He arched his eyebrow perfectly. “Are you trying to excite me?”
I gave him a flirty shrug and went right back to watching the game.
Our food arrived and Zander seemed eager for me to taste the brisket. He watched my first bite.
I let the flavor sink into my taste buds before I chewed and swallowed.
“You have to admit that was the best beef brisket you ever had.”
“I’ll give you that it was good, but it wasn’t fantastic.”
“I think you’re biased.”
“If I had a grill, I would show you what you’ve been missing out on.”
“If a grill is the only thing standing in your way, I’ll borrow Jason’s and bring it over, just to prove you wrong.”
“Challenge accepted. Name the day.”
“I’ll have to let you know.” He sounded so mysterious. I got the feeling he held part of himself back, which I didn’t expect.
“I’ll be ready whenever.”
“I have to admit, you’re more fun than I thought you would be.”
“I’m not sure how to take that.”
“You hold your own. I like it.”
“I can live with that.”
“How would you feel about ice cream?”
“Ice cream?”
“I’m not sure I’ll be ready to say goodnight when dinner is over.”
“I like ice cream.”
“Then I know a place.”
~*~
I couldn’t believe he was taking me to have ice cream with Kenadie and her mom. And I guess her mom’s friends. Those must have been the biddies Kenadie mentioned to me earlier. Zander said that he and Kenadie called them the Nanettes after Kenadie’s mom, Nanette Marshall. The ladies had been friends since high school, according to Zander.
I thought about my best friends back home, Krista and Bernadette. They were both married now, living the life dad begged me not to have. He always said my mom worked too hard and she never had the life she truly deserved. She seemed happy to me, working side-by-side with the man she loved, raising three rowdy kids she loved more than anything. So maybe we never had fancy cars or expensive vacations, but my brothers and I were happy and we knew we were loved. And like mom said, hard work never killed anyone. Except maybe her. She was killed making her once-a-month trip to Salt Lake City to stock up on food and supplies. Every month she made that seven-hour round-trip drive, usually by herself. She said she liked to be alone with her thoughts every once in a while. I couldn’t think about it.
I smiled over at Zander driving the speed limit to Flowery Branch where he and Kenadie grew up. “What did you study in school?” I hated asking questions I already knew the answers to, but I couldn’t admit to prying.
“I have a master’s degree in Mathematics Education.”
“Maybe you can help me with the statistics class I’m taking.”
“You’re in school now?”
“I’m taking two classes online at the moment. I hope to have my degree by the end of next summer.”
“What are you studying?”
“Exercise and wellness.”
“What can you do with that degree?”
“Well, what do you do with a master’s in mathematics?”
He grinned. “I would have been a fantastic teacher, but this gig pays a lot more.” I was sure he made more money than me. I think he was Kenadie’s silent partner as well as a personal relationship manager.
“You were really going to be a teacher?”
“That surprises you?”
“Kind of, yeah.”
He gave me quick glance and sly look. “I’m glad I’m not the only one surprised tonight.”
As we drove through the small town where Kenadie and Zander grew up, I found it hard to believe such a storybook place ever produced Zander. He looked like he was born living in a high rise. But his slight southern drawl seemed to fit the little shops and quaint atmosphere of Flowery Branch. Shasta’s, the ice cream shop, fit the small town to a tee. It reminded me of home.
“Are you sure Kenadie and her mom won’t mind the intrusion?”
Zander parked his car between two large trucks. It was the only space available. “Are you kidding? They love me. Can’t get enough of me.”
I think he was telling the truth. “I guess we better not keep you from your adoring fans any longer.” I opened my car door.
I heard him laugh as he exited the car.
We met around the back of his car and walked in together.
“Is this place always this busy?”
Zander nodded. “Usually on the weekends.”
“Did you like growing up here?”
He shrugged. “It was all right.” He didn’t sound all that impressed, but I didn’t ask him to elaborate.
I was a little nervous about crashing the party. I liked Kenadie, but she intimidated me. I had never seen her outside the office. Not to mention I knew Zander had feelings for her and was comparing me to her.
Zander opened the door for me and a bell jangled. He placed his hand on my lower back and inched me forward through the crowded shop that looked like a throwback to the fifties, kind of like the town. “Just be yourself. The Nanettes are going to eat you up.”
I was surprised he recognized I was having second thoughts. But I guess I shouldn’t have been. He really did know how to read people. I gave him a small smile and right away recognized Kenadie and her fiancé, Jason. I didn’t know he would be here as well.
Zander was right about his adoring fans. The older women at the table reminded me of a show my mom used to watch, The Golden Girls. Kenadie’s mom reminded me of Blanche, not that she was promiscuous, but she was spunky and beautiful for a woman of any age. The table erupted in delight when we approached. All the older women’s eyes lit up when they saw Zander, but they widened when they noticed me by his side.
“Ladies, this is Meg Dawson. She works with us,” Zander introduced me.
Before I could say hi, I noticed Kenadie give Zander a shrewd look—she didn’t like that we were there together. But Jason gave me a friendly smile.
Before I knew it, Kenadie’s mom, Nan, was on her feet and hugging me. “How lovely to see you again.” I had met her in the office several times.
I hugged her back. “It’s nice to see you as well, Mrs. Marshall.”
“I love this girl’s manners.” She pointed to her friends. “These are my dearest friends in the world, Cissy and Adelaide.”
Both women looked between Zander and me with interest. Then they nodded to one another with conspiratorial smiles.
“Well, you two, sit down,” Mrs. Marshall directed.
Cissy stood up and let Zander slide between her and Adelaide in the booth. Zander settled there and put his arms around the two women, which seemed to delight them.
A chair was brought over from another table and I sat on the end. I felt out of place. Like a kid sitting at the adult table during the holidays.
“What have you guys been up to?” Kenadie asked me. I could hear the uneasiness in her voice.
I met Kenadie’s worried eyes. “Just dinner and watching a game.”
Kenadie whipped her head to focus on Zander. “Where did you take her?”
“And since when did you become my mother?” Zander smirked.
“It was a barbecue place on Orchard Street,” I intervened. There was this underlying tension at the table that made me uncomfortable.
“Love that place,” Jason jumped in. “It’s where I met Kenadie.” He kissed the top of his fiancée’s head. Kenadie seemed to relax under his touch. She gave me a smile. “Did you like it?”
“It was good.”
“She’s lying,” Zander said playfully. “And now she has to prove to me that she can make a better beef brisket.”
“Oh, so you’re going out again.” Mrs. Marshall smiled, pleased at the thought.
Cissy and Adelaide nodded their approval with big grins.
Mrs. Marshall stroked my arm. “You are a pretty girl.”
Zander tugged at his collar. “You know I’m never settling down. Meg’s just helping me keep my reputation up as a ruthless player.”
Mrs. Marshall wagged her finger at Zander, but she spoke to me. “Is that true, dear?”
“No, ma’am.”
Jason laughed. “Sounds like you better get your story straight, man.”
Zander gave me a smile. “She’ll come around, don’t worry.”
I rolled my eyes at him.
“Why do I think that’s going to be the other way around?” Mrs. Marshall smiled at me.
“Did we come here to eat ice cream or not?” Zander ignored Mrs. Marshall’s surprising comment.
“We already ordered.” Kenadie handed me a menu from the other side of the table.
“Thank you. What’s good here?”
“Jason and I always get butter brickle, and butthead always orders sorbet.”
“Not tonight,” Zander announced. “I skipped the beer at dinner, so I have some calories to spend.”
I was touched that he didn’t take a sip of his beer after I told him about my mom.
Both Jason and Kenadie seemed surprised by his admission, but Kenadie voiced hers. “Really? What’s gotten into you?”
“Again, you aren’t my mother or my boss, oh wait.” He gave her an evil grin. “I guess you are, but we’re off the clock.”
I decided I’d better look at the menu. I couldn’t tell if Zander and Kenadie were playing or if there was an issue between them, mainly the fact that I was there. Everything on the menu looked great, but I decided on a scoop of the mint chocolate chip. Zander ordered a chocolate shake.
Once our orders were taken, I felt like all the attention fell on me.
Cissy, who was next to me, was first to speak. “Tell us, sweetheart, where you’re from and about your family.”
“Wyoming, ma’am. My dad, and my older and younger brother still live there.”
“And what about your momma?” Adelaide asked.
“She passed away when I was fourteen.”
Everyone at the table gave me a sorrowful look. “We are sorry to hear that, dear.” Mrs. Marshall squeezed my hand. “Now tell us, where do you go to church?”
That was one thing about living in the South. It seemed like almost everyone asked if you had a church to go to.
“I honestly haven’t been in a while. I used to go with my aunt, but she’s recently married and traveling.”
“You’re just g
oing to have to come with us.” Mrs. Marshall stared hard at Zander. “And you should come too, young man.”
“Now, you know if I go more than twice a year, God will send hellfire and burn the place down. That’s why Kenz can’t have her wedding there.”
Kenadie’s eyes screamed at Zander. It was obviously something she didn’t want mentioned.
“I still can’t believe we’re having it at the country club.” Mrs. Marshall sounded like she might cry.
“Momma, God is everywhere. And you know why I can’t get married at the church.”
Jason put his arm around Kenadie in a protective fashion. Kenadie had been left at the altar there. Or at least that’s what Cara told me.
“Fine, Kenadie Anne, but at least tell me you found some more bridesmaids besides Lana.” Lana was Kenadie’s niece. I had met her before at the office and Kenadie spoke of her often.
Kenadie rolled her eyes. It really did look a lot like me. “I told you, all I need is Lana.”
“Now Kennie,” Cissy spoke. “The wedding won’t look right with Jason having five groomsmen and you only having one bridesmaid.”
Kenadie ran her fingers through her damp hair. “I knew we should have eloped.”
Mrs. Marshall smacked her arm. “Don’t even think about it.”
“I love you, Momma.” Kenadie smirked.
Jason whispered something into Kenadie’s ear and she blushed. I was jealous. I wanted a man to whisper in my ear.
Zander gave me a grin. He seemed to be enjoying the show.
“Why don’t you ask some of the girls you work with?” Mrs. Marshall turned her sights toward me. And before Kenadie or I could say a word, the Nanettes went crazy.
“Oh, yes.” Cissy smoothed my hair with her hand and then touched my face. “The champagne colored dress will go perfect with her dark hair and olive skin.”
“And she’s the perfect height to stand next to Lana.”
I shook my head and braved a look at Kenadie who was surprisingly not frowning. She shrugged her shoulders. “Why not? Do you mind, Meg?”
“Um . . .”
“Of course she doesn’t,” Mrs. Marshall answered for me. “We’ll take her measurements after she comes to church with us on Sunday.”
I looked at Zander, who was beyond amused at the events that had just taken place. He threw his arms around Cissy and Adelaide and they giggled. “I knew you ladies wouldn’t disappoint me tonight.”
Dating by Design Series - Box Set Page 32
