One Guy I'd Never Date

by Remi Carrington

  “Back when you were in high school?”

  “Yep. My sophomore year.”

  “Is that when the girl poured milk on your tray and announced in front of the whole room that you kissed like a fish?” I’d paid entirely too much attention to Zach’s life over the years.

  “Clearly, you do remember.”

  “Want to know what I would’ve asked her if I’d been there?”

  “I do now.”

  “I’d have asked how she knew what kissing a fish felt like.”

  Laughing, he kissed the top of my head. “And that’s why I like you. Anyway, I thought having you around on the campout would lift my spirits. It totally would have. But Hank did not agree. He thought—it made him mad. We exchanged a couple of punches, and I never again suggested that you come camping with us.”

  “But then Hank had the grand plan that we should all camp together at Thanksgiving.”

  “That was all his idea. A good one.” Zach poked me in the side. “But I’m sorry you got hurt.”

  “Any other stories I don’t know about?”

  “Tons.” He bumped his shoulder against mine. “I almost asked you to prom—”

  “You had a date to prom. Ugh, I couldn’t stand her.”

  “I meant your prom. We were home for a weekend not long before the big day, and I heard you crying to Eve about missing it.” He held his fingers close together. “I was this close to asking you but decided it wouldn’t be worth the fallout from your brother.”

  “What made it worth it now? Jealousy?” I stared at my last piece of bacon, wondering if I had room.

  “I didn’t like seeing you dance with Harper, but that didn’t bother me as much as you not talking to me. But what really changed my mind was actually something you said.”

  I laid the piece of bacon on his plate and waited for him to continue.

  “You said that Adam would do anything for Eve. I thought about that a lot.” He nodded when the waitress held up the pot of coffee. “I like seeing you smile, and I really like it when I’m the one that puts it there. Gosh, I haven’t talked this much since I don’t remember when.”

  My heart bubbled with emotion. “I’m enjoying it.”

  “Now, it’s my turn for a question.”

  “Okay.” I pushed my cup closer to the edge so she’d refill mine too.

  He rested an arm on the back of the bench and played with my hair. “Why haven’t you adopted a dog?”

  The waitress refilled our cups. “Here’s your check, but no hurry. Y’all cuddle here as long as you want.”

  “Thanks.” Zach pushed my mug back toward me.

  I opted to take the easy route with my answer. “I’ve only been living there a few weeks, and it’s been busy.”

  “Haley Sparks, I want the real reason.” He lifted one eyebrow. “If this is going to work, you have to be honest with me. I poured out my soul.”

  I grabbed a napkin, ready if the dam broke. “I can’t get another dog at the house. It’s silly, but whenever I’m in that backyard, I can only think of Comet.” I swallowed and held back the tears. “That’s his yard.”

  “That’s not silly.” He kissed the top of my head. “Makes perfect sense. One day, you’ll live somewhere else, and that yard will need a dog.”

  “I’m glad I moved back into the house. I might not be saying that at the end of the week, but we’ll see.”

  “Hopefully, Hank comes around quickly. You ready?” He finished the last of his coffee. “I think we should play a game of Cornhole, just you and me.”

  “What am I playing for?”

  “A kiss.”

  “And if I lose?”

  That mischievous smile made his green eyes sparkle. “You give me a kiss.”

  “That’s the exact same thing.”

  “But you still want to win, don’t you?” He slid out of the booth and held out his hand. “Then maybe we can play a game of Truth or Dare.”

  “I’m not sure if I’m ready for that. I get the feeling there is no dare you won’t attempt.”

  He shrugged. “You won’t know until we play.”

  Chapter 24

  After two weeks of dating Zach, I wanted him for my happily-ever-after. Things with Hank were still strained—as in, he wasn’t speaking to me, but at Zach’s, it was easier to pretend everything was fine.

  Loaded down with my laptop, camera, and groceries, I kicked on the front door.

  Zach pulled it open then finished pulling on a t-shirt. I hadn’t lied when I told Lisa the man looked great without a shirt.

  “Hiya. Good timing. I just got home. What’s this about you making dinner?” He took the grocery bags out of my hands.

  “Good. You got my message.” I dropped my stuff near the door and followed him into the kitchen. “You are always cooking for me, so I thought I’d return the favor. And I have a surprise.”

  He pulled me into his arms. “A surprise, huh?”

  “I think you’ll like it.”

  Pretending to tickle me, he wiggled his fingers near my side.

  I wriggled and blocked his hands, an involuntary giggle punctuating my moves.

  “I don’t even have to touch you. The air around you is ticklish.” He kissed my forehead. “You’re so much fun.”

  “I do that because I think you’re going to tickle me. It’s a reflex.”

  “It’s cute and extremely entertaining.” He pulled groceries out of the bags. “There are veggies in here. Now I’m curious.”

  “I’m making meatloaf, but it’ll have veggies in it.”

  “You know I’m only teasing when I give you a hard time, right?”

  I nodded and prepped ingredients.

  “You don’t have to change anything for me.”

  “I know.”

  He leaned back against the counter. “And I’ve been thinking. If you don’t like me calling you Carrot, I’ll stop.”

  “Now who’s talking about changing?”

  “You know what I mean.”

  I washed my hands then slid my arms around his waist. “You are the only one allowed to call me Carrot. If Hank starts, I’ll whap him.”

  “You like it when I call you that?”

  “I used to feel little and patronized when you called me that. I don’t anymore.”

  “I never meant for it to make you feel bad. You were just my favorite carrot top.”

  “I like that word—favorite.”

  “Good to hear.” He patted my hips. “I should let you cook.”

  “Hungry?”

  “Very!” He laughed. “I’m not hard to figure out, am I?”

  “That’s not what I thought the night of the wedding.” I shooed him out of the kitchen. “Now, go.”

  “Patio or sofa?” Zach closed the dishwasher. “If you want the patio but are too cold, I’ll grab you a sweatshirt.”

  “Patio and a sweatshirt.” I stirred the hot chocolate. “I’ll serve this up and meet you out there.”

  I ladled Mexican hot chocolate into two mugs. Then I wiped the counter to clean up all that I’d dribbled in the process.

  He already had his guitar out when I walked onto the patio. “The sweatshirt is in your chair.”

  Once the hot chocolate was safely on the little table, I pulled his sweatshirt over my head. “Is this how you spent your evenings before I came into the picture?”

  “Pretty much. Sometimes I read or played video games. Or Hank and I would shoot hoops. My life isn’t all that exciting.”

  I loved that his life was quiet and settled. “Truth or dare?” The hot chocolate had the perfect zing of cinnamon and the warmth I craved.

  He grinned. “Truth.”

  “I was sure you’d pick dare.”

  “Just trying to keep you on your toes.” He stopped strumming. “Ask away.”

  “I don’t know what to ask you.”

  He laughed. “I’ll ask you one while you think of what you want to ask me.”

  “Okay. Should I be
worried?” I jumped when fur brushed my ankle. “Look who’s here.”

  Waldo hopped up onto my chair and curled up near my feet.

  “He likes you.” Zach tapped his chin. “How long have you been crushing on me?”

  Chocolate went down the wrong pipe, and I coughed.

  He squatted beside my chair and patted my back. “I wasn’t trying to kill you with my question.”

  “Funny. But I’m pretty sure it’s possible to die of embarrassment.” I caught his arm as he moved back toward his chair. “Mostly you surprised me.”

  “Like you surprised me by putting zucchini and carrots in the meatloaf.”

  “I’ve been crushing on you since you and Hank first started hanging out. I didn’t do well keeping it a secret, I guess.” I shivered and crossed my arms.

  Zach scooped me up. “Come on, Waldo. We can cuddle next to her inside.” He dropped onto the couch with me still in his arms. “I didn’t know.”

  “The first morning after you kissed me, Hank accused me of being after you since day one. So, maybe, that’s why I choked on the question.”

  “If I’d known, I never would’ve asked.”

  “But I was silly then.”

  His eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Silly? My poor ego.”

  “When I worked up the nerve to ask you to go with me to my eighth-grade dance—”

  “I’d have been a senior then.”

  I nodded. “Well, I was practicing in front of the mirror—trying out intonation, figuring out when to smile. Hank walked by and dropped a bomb on my plan. He told me as a little sister, I was never allowed to date his best friend. And silly me, I believed him.”

  Zach started to say something, but I put a finger to his lips.

  “I’m happy with the way it worked out. I’m so much more impressed now.”

  “I look better with my shirt off, huh?” Those dazzling green eyes danced with humor.

  I cradled his face. “Your patio is amazing. And the way you smoke a brisket . . . be still my heart.”

  He tipped me backward and hovered a finger near my stomach.

  I reacted exactly as I had before.

  “I’m not touching you.” He laughed as I wriggled.

  “You better be because you are the only thing keeping me from falling on my head.”

  He pulled me back to his chest. “You never asked me my question.”

  “I’ll save it for later.”

  “Any change with Hank?”

  “Nope. He occasionally breaks his silence and asks me where I hid the remote.” I glanced at the time. “I should probably head home. Thank you for letting me come over.”

  “Do you hide the remote?”

  “Yep.”

  “Before you go, I want to show you something.”

  “What?” I hadn’t expected show and tell.

  He clasped my hand and led me out to the back porch. “You can come over here anytime you want. I keep a spare key hidden out here. See that rock in the wall around the fire pit?” He kicked at a stone. “Pull on it.”

  I tugged on the rock, and it slid right out. The inside was hollowed out just enough to make room for a key.

  “Use it whenever you want. Only you and Hank know it’s there.”

  “Is this a hint that you want me to sneak in and make you dinner every night?”

  He slid his hands down my sides. “I wouldn’t complain a bit.”

  I inched up on my toes and danced my fingers in his hair. “Then maybe I’ll do that.”

  As our lips met, he picked me up. Who knew that all the practice carrying me at Thanksgiving would come in so handy?

  Chapter 25

  Business was getting busier, which sometimes meant long hours. But it was rewarding to see our photography sessions booked. Word of mouth was a powerful marketing tool.

  Nacha walked into my office. “Busy tonight? I thought maybe we’d grab dinner.”

  “Sure.” Since she never asked me to dinner, I wasn’t about to say no. “Let me shut down the computer, then I’ll be ready.”

  “Sounds good.” She closed my office door on the way out.

  I dialed Zach. “Hi, I wasn’t sure if you’d be able to answer.”

  “It’s your lucky day. How’s my favorite person?”

  Having him talk to me that way never got old.

  “Nacha invited me to dinner.” I hated to cancel dinner plans with Zach.

  “We have dinner together almost every night. Waldo and I will survive an evening without you. Go out with Nacha. I think that’s important.”

  “Thanks. I agree.”

  “Call me later.”

  Talking to him was the way I ended every day. We’d been dating almost three weeks, and my lifetime infatuation had evolved into something deep and lasting.

  “You know I will.” I bit back the ‘Love you’ that threatened to slip out. It was way too soon for that. I shut off the computer and grabbed my purse. “I’m ready.”

  “I was thinking we’d go to my place and have something delivered.”

  “Great plan.” I hadn’t been in the house since Hank moved out. The evening had the possibility of being awkward.

  I met her at the house.

  She swung open the door and crossed her arms. “I hope you don’t mind that we came here. I know it’s probably awkward after what’s happened with me and Hank.” Even the way she said his name made it clear she was in love.

  Only they can fix their mess. Zach’s words played in my head, and I reminded myself not to interfere. If she asked for my advice, I’d give it. Otherwise, I’d keep my mouth closed.

  “This is fine.” I dropped my purse and sat on the sofa.

  She pulled her phone out of her pocket. “Pizza or Pad Thai?”

  “Pad Thai.”

  She ordered then sat in the chair next to the couch. “There really isn’t anything going on. We haven’t done this in a while, and I wondered how things were with Zach . . . and Hank. Did he finally come around?”

  I shook my head. “He’s hurt and angry. Doesn’t speak to me or to Zach.”

  “It’s hard when you have a picture in your head, and it shatters. He’ll figure it out.”

  “I’m not sure he will. And it’s crushing me.”

  “Follow me.” She jumped up and walked down the hall. “This room is yours if you want it. I know it’s a lot farther from Zach, but please know that you have other options.”

  “I’ll think about it.” Two weeks ago, I was mostly against the idea. Now, I entertained the thought.

  “Tell me about Zach.”

  “You mean I haven’t bored you to tears yet? I talk about him all the time.”

  “What do you love most about him?”

  I’d asked her the same question about Hank about two years ago. “We aren’t using that word.”

  She rolled her eyes then walked back out to the living room. “Maybe you aren’t saying it.”

  “I don’t have to pretend. I can be me. I’m not always worried if my smile looks natural or if he’ll think I’m stupid. For so long, I felt like everything I did around Zach made me look childish. But now, I get the benefit of knowing him forever and the sense that he appreciates me for who I am, quirks and all.”

  Nacha had been distant since Hank moved out. While our friendship weathered the strain, it wasn’t like when we’d first met. This gave me a taste of what we used to have.

  “I’m so glad you figured it out because watching the two of you dance around and then act like the other wasn’t dancing was maddening. The way he looked at you that day by the barn made it pretty clear to me he was interested.”

  “Hank kinda made that difficult. And I feel bad for him because I guess I did steal his friend, but—”

  “Don’t even think like that. Hank cares about both of you. He’ll realize what he’s lost.” She jumped up to grab the food from the delivery guy.

  Maybe I should talk to her about her relationship with Hank. What could it
hurt?

  The answers pelted my brain—our friendship, the business, her heart. I’d keep my mouth shut on that topic for now.

  “Why don’t we head to the table to eat?” She carried the food into the kitchen.

  “This is nice. We haven’t done this in a long time.”

  She didn’t look up. “If you want me to talk to Hank, I’m willing to do that.”

  I hugged her. “It means so much that you’d even offer to do that. I’ll see how tomorrow goes. It might come to that. You know him better than anyone.”

  She gave a slight nod. “Once upon a time, I did.”

  “Let’s eat. This looks great.”

  Her shoulders relaxed. “Smells good too. I’m hungry.”

  I hadn’t exactly promised Zach I wouldn’t interfere, but even if I wanted to venture down that road, Nacha wasn’t ready.

  When I climbed into the car, I shot off a courtesy text to Zach. Letting him know my comings and goings had become habit. I’m leaving Nacha’s.

  I’m still up. That was all the invitation I needed.

  Be there soon. I headed to Zach’s.

  He met me at the front door. “How did it go?”

  “It was fun. She and I used to hang out like that before Hank came on the scene. Then she spent most of her time with him. Then she stopped spending time with everyone.”

  “You didn’t try to fix things for them, did you?”

  I crossed my heart. “I didn’t. It was hard though. She’s still in love with Hank. It’s obvious in the way she talks about him.”

  Zach scooped me up and carried me to the sofa. “Promise me you won’t play matchmaker.”

  “Or what?”

  “I’m not going to threaten you, Carrot.”

  I sat up and straddled his lap. “I promise.”

  His arms circled me. “This is so much better than a phone call.”

  “I was glad you were still up.”

  He gazed at me a full minute before pulling me to his lips, and we spent the next few minutes doing what we couldn’t do over the phone.

  I rested my head on his shoulder. “She offered me her extra bedroom again.”