And after everyone else had left, Zach and I danced on the patio or gazed at the stars. It was a nearly perfect summer.
My birthday celebration was the last big summer shindig.
Staring up at the dark clouds, I leaned back against Zach. “I don’t want it to rain today.”
“We need the rain.” He dropped kisses on my neck. “And it won’t mess up anything—except maybe Cornhole.”
“Hank would just beat me anyway.”
“And nobody wants to get beat at Cornhole on their birthday. We’ll still have brisket, and I’m sure our friends would love to play a round of Truth or Dare.” He chuckled. “Did you invite Nacha?”
“Yep, but I’m not playing matchmaker. I won’t dare Hank to kiss her or anything like that.” I spun around and looped my arms around his neck. “I promise.”
“When are people showing up?” After asking the question, he pressed his lips to mine, which made it impossible to answer.
When he broke away, I inched up on my toes, wanting another kiss. “Anytime now. And, um.” I inhaled the wonderful smell of smoke on his shirt. “I might need this one too.”
“How many of my shirts do you have?”
“No more than five . . . or six.”
“I’m going to run out. What will I wear then?”
I tugged at the hem of his shirt. “I’m not seeing a problem.”
He laughed. “I’ll pull the brisket off and let it sit. It should be ready to slice when people get here.”
“And I’ll get the veggie tray ready.” I waited for his smart retort.
He rolled his eyes. “French fries do not count as a veggie tray.”
“Potatoes are a root vegetable just like carrots.” My completely valid point would silence him. I hoped.
He grinned, and that twinkle danced in his eyes. “Potatoes aren’t a root vegetable. They’re a tuber. Still doesn’t count as a veggie tray.”
The difference between a root and a tuber seemed like a technicality. And what kind of person knew that without looking it up?
Zach was outside before I could think of anything snarky to say.
I slid the tray of fries into the oven then ran to answer the door.
Hank walked in and, in a strangely unusual move for him, he greeted me with a hug. Long and tight. “I’m looking forward to today. I can smell that brisket from here. But it looks like a game of Cornhole isn’t going to happen.”
“We’ll have fun anyway. And I wanted you to know that I invited Nacha. I hope you don’t mind. She doesn’t do much besides work.”
His shoulders tensed, and he clenched his jaw a second. “That’s fine. I don’t mind.” He pointed outside. “Zach on the patio?”
“Yep.”
“I had no idea she didn’t get out much.” His voice was almost a whisper.
I patted his arm. “Please don’t say anything.”
“Of course not.” He ran to let Zach in when he carried the brisket toward the door.
I still hadn’t figured out a plan to get Nacha and Hank talking. Rather, I hadn’t found someone who would concoct a plan to get them talking. But Zach had suggested inviting Nacha today, so I did. Hopefully, she’d come.
Slowly, people arrived.
When Zach ran toward the door after a knock, I leaned around the corner to see who it was. His friends from work were already here. Nacha had come. And Adam and Eve were on the back porch filling a second cooler with drinks.
Who else had Zach invited?
Harper walked in and shook Zach’s hand. “Thanks for inviting me.”
“Glad you could make it. Food’s in the dining room. Drinks are on the patio. Make yourself at home.” Zach introduced Harper to a few of the other guests then walked into the kitchen. “Why are you still in here, Carrot?”
“Making a fresh pitcher of tea.” I glanced around to be sure we were alone. “You invited Harper?”
“I told Adam to invite him. You said he was a nice—wait, I think you said he was a sweet guy.” Zach clapped a hand to his heart.
“You can’t seriously be jealous.”
He brushed his lips on my ear. “Not in the least. Let’s get some food.”
“I’ll be there in two minutes. But you can go eat.”
Eve walked in, grinning. “What time is the second brisket going to be ready?”
Zach paled. “Is it all gone?”
“No, but someone has to give you a hard time.” She laughed. “Now go so I can talk to Haley.”
He shook his head as he walked into the dining room.
“Soooo? It looks like things are going well. I’m a little surprised y’all invited Harper. Zach didn’t look too happy with him at the wedding.”
“Zach invited Harper. And things are going really well. It’s so hard to believe how much has changed. A little over a year ago, I was peeking through my peephole, watching Zach get dumped.”
“Like I said, I have a good feeling about this year.”
“I like the way things are. I don’t expect things to change quickly. Hank is happy, but I don’t want to rock the boat.”
“I thought you were past that.” Eve’s brow knitted. “Would you . . .” She crossed her arms and glanced into the dining room. “Because of Hank?”
Because we were best friends, I understood the words she hadn’t said.
“If Zach asked me anything specific—you know what I mean—I’d say yes in a heartbeat. But Zach is being considerate of his friend, and I understand that. Hopefully, Zach knows I’d say yes.” Momentary horror made my stomach hurt. “Gosh, I hope he knows. If he asks you, you’ll tell him that, won’t you?” I straightened the sunflowers on the counter.
“If he asks me, I’ll tell him.” She fingered the petals. “Those are gorgeous.”
“Zach gave them to me this morning. You should’ve seen the flowers he gave me last weekend before he and Hank left to go camping.”
“When are you going camping with them?” Eve nudged me.
“Never.”
“Well, your boyfriend has been telling my husband how fun camping is. Adam is all excited about the four of us going camping together.”
“What?”
Eve poked me in the chest. “And if I have to go camping, you are coming too.”
“All right.” I put my hands up. “I will, but only if Zach asks. He said he’d never go camping with me.”
“That was before.”
“Yeah, but he ended up with a poison oak rash because of me.”
She shrugged. “We’ll see, but now you know.”
“I’ve been warned.” With my brain a jumble of thoughts about camping and marriage proposals, I followed her into the living room.
Zach tapped the seat next to him. “I fixed you a plate. Brisket, extra veggies, and ranch dressing.”
“Exactly what I wanted. Thanks.” I popped a bite of brisket in my mouth. “Mmm. This is the best one yet.”
Zach beamed. “Happy Birthday.”
Zach carried the cake into the living room as everyone sang “Happy Birthday.” I hadn’t been the center of attention in a long time, and I remembered why. I wanted the song to be over.
He dropped to a knee and held out the cake.
“A cactus? Really?” I could feel heat flooding my cheeks.
“With thirty spines all aglow. Blow out the candles and make a wish.” He winked.
I made the same wish I’d made when we saw the first shooting star months ago. I was pretty much head over heels then . . . and even more so now. I huffed and blew until all thirty candles were out. Half expecting them to relight, I inhaled again.
Eve ran over and took the cake. “I’ll hold this.”
“Carrot.” Zach hadn’t moved. But in his hand was a tiny box with the lid flipped open.
I slapped a hand over my mouth.
“Haley Sparks, we’ve known each other twenty years. And I’d love to spend the next several decades loving you. Will you marry me?”
&n
bsp; “Yes. But are you sure?” The moment seemed too good to be true.
He laughed and pulled me in for a kiss. “I’m sure. I want to go stargazing, dancing, and camping with you until we can barely make it into our rocking chairs. Then I want to sit next to you and do whatever possible to make you smile.”
Our friends cheered.
“I’m so happy, but I didn’t expect this.” I buried my face in the curve of his neck. “You completely surprised me.”
Zach kissed my cheek. “I know. That was part of the fun.”
“Haley, I want”—Hank cleared his throat—“I want you to know that I’m happy for you. When Zach asked me for your hand, I was excited because you deserve someone like him. And Mom and Dad would be really happy today.” He lifted his cup. “To Zach and Haley and a happily-ever-after twenty years in the making.”
All our friends raised their cups. “Hear, hear.”
After another quick kiss, Zach stood, giving our friends room to swarm.
Eve wiped tears before hugging me. “It was so hard in the kitchen not to spoil the surprise. And then you gave me the momentary panic.” After a long, tight hug, she stepped back. “We’ll talk more later. We have a wedding to plan!”
“Whoa, speaking of carrots. This guy went all out.” Harper tapped the ring then hugged me. “Congratulations. It looks like you solved that five-thousand-piece puzzle.”
I giggled. “We did.”
He squeezed my hand. “I’m glad you didn’t throw out the pieces.”
“Me too.”
For the next hour, I didn’t have even a minute alone with Zach. So when Hank—the very last one to leave—walked out the door, I tugged Zach to the couch.
“Thank you. Tonight was so much fun and completely amazing. I don’t know how you pulled off this surprise.” I sat beside him and draped my legs across his lap. “That’s why you wanted me to invite Nacha.”
He nodded. “And for good measure, I wanted Harper here to see you say yes . . . to me.”
I shifted into his lap. “As if anyone could doubt how I feel about you. But just in case you need to hear it again—Yes. I’m still not sure about the camping part though.”
“We’ll have fun.”
“You said you’d never go camping with me.” I cocked my head, waiting for his answer.
He tugged at the end of a curl. “And you said you’d never date me.”
“I can’t believe Eve told you that!”
“You know what else she told me?”
I braced for complete embarrassment. “What?”
He tipped me backward and hovered his lips over mine. “Never say never.”
Epilogue
Nacha
Reminding myself that being here meant something to Haley, my long-time friend and business partner, I searched the tables for my name card. Attending a rehearsal dinner was one thing. Spending all weekend at a resort required a whole different level of calming self-talk.
Who thought it was a good idea to set up the entire space with tables for two?
Probably the same person who thought it was a wonderful idea to seat me next to my ex.
Deep breaths and dark chocolate would get me through the weekend.
Haley walked in, radiating happiness as she greeted guests. When she walked up to my table, she did a little dance. “Isn’t this fabulous? My Aunt Joji booked this for us as a wedding present. I think she was still trekking through Europe or climbing a mountain when you got married. Have you met her?”
I’d heard tales of the eccentric Aunt Joji, but I hadn’t had the pleasure of meeting her. “I haven’t.”
“I can’t wait for you two to meet.” Haley dropped her voice to a whisper. “Thank you for coming. I know with Hank and all it’s a bit awkward, but it means a lot to have you here.” She hugged me. “And for being my bridesmaid.”
“Of course.”
Haley inhaled and let it out slowly. “I’m nervous. Not about getting married tomorrow. It’s all the people watching me. That’s what makes me nervous.”
“That’s why we hide behind the camera.” I envied the photographer taking pictures.
“Thanks for not complaining about coming as a guest. I know it isn’t easy.”
“I’ll be fine.” I pointed at Zach across the room. “Someone is looking for you.”
She squeezed my arm. “I’ll find you later, okay?”
Zach met her halfway across the room. He tugged at the end of a curl then whispered in her ear. How did they make it twenty years before realizing they were like magic together?
I picked up my phone and snapped a few pictures. I might not be the official photographer, but if no one captured the look on Zach’s face at this very moment—I didn’t even want to think about that.
Other guests made their way to tables, and I sat down, appreciating the small blessing that I’d been placed near a wall. I wanted to blend in with that wall.
Scrolling through email, I distracted myself . . . until the familiar scent of Hank’s cologne tickled my nose.
A swarm of butterflies took flight in my stomach. I hated that he still had this effect on me. But intertwined with the attraction was the ever-present hurt.
I didn’t look up.
“Nacha.” Hank dropped into the other chair at the table. “Hi.”
After a calming breath, I smiled. “Hello. You look good, Hank.”
He looked better than good. In a shirt that tugged at the shoulder seams and slacks that—I forced my gaze back up to his face. This was going to be a long weekend.
“Thanks.” He leaned on the table with his arms folded.
I checked to be sure the seams could handle that sort of tension.
His gaze swept over me. The audacity! “You look—you always look good. Today, you look especially good.”
What was I supposed to say to that? “Thank you.”
“It’s still hard to believe Haley is marrying my best friend.” He fiddled with the name card. “They look happy, don’t they?”
“Very happy.” I clasped my hands together so I wouldn’t slap his hand for tapping the card on the table.
With him, nerves and repetition went hand in hand. But the tapping was like someone drilling into my head.
Laughter echoed through the room as Zach picked up Haley. Her shoe went flying, which only made the guests laugh harder.
He knew exactly how to distract her and make her forget about the crowd watching.
The way he looked at her made my heart ache for what I’d lost. I snuck a side glance at Hank.
“That used to be us.” He pushed his chair back and stood. “I’m going to find something to drink. Want anything?”
“Yes. Preferably something they won’t serve to people under twenty-one.” This seemed like a good time for something strong and sweet.
“My thoughts exactly.” He wandered toward the bar at the back of the room.
That was my chance to look him over. He’d dropped a little weight since I’d seen him last. Had he quit eating or was he working out?
I never asked Haley those questions. It wasn’t fair to put her in the middle.
He set a glass in front of me. “Vanilla, Coke, and Vodka.”
“Perfect.”
A woman with wild copper curls walked up to our table. “Hank Sparks, introduce me to your bride. I was so sorry to miss the wedding. Has it really been eighteen months since then?”
Hank turned the color of a freshly power-washed sidewalk. “Aunt Joji, hi. This is Nacha.”
That was it? No mention of the fact that our happily-ever-after had imploded months after the wedding when Hank moved to a different state?
I smiled. “I’ve heard so much about you.” I’d heard snippets of stories about a very wealthy but somewhat eccentric aunt.
She wrapped me in a hug, and the sleeve of her flowy muumuu landed in Hank’s drink. “I like you. People with interesting names should stick together. And I’m so sorry about the confusion with
your room.”
“It’s fine. I used Haley’s room to get ready.”
Aunt Joji tapped her sides then stuck a hand in her pocket. “Here they are.” She handed me a keycard and then to my horror, handed one to Hank. “They bumped y’all up to one of the nicer suites. And I added an extra night. Enjoy!” Waving, she floated through the room.
I grabbed the table and counted to ten . . . then twenty. How high did I have to count before the urge to strangle Hank dissipated? “She thinks we’re still . . . married.”
Hank rubbed his chin. “I haven’t seen her in ages. And with everyone so happy about the wedding, I didn’t bring it up.”
I finished my drink, contemplating a second. “Fix it. I don’t care what you have to do. Fix it.”
“I will.” He sighed. Just as the waiter started serving dinner, Hank left the table. “I’ll do it right now.”
Sitting at the front, Zach and Haley captivated the room. The way the two of them looked at each other would make even the most hard-hearted—namely me—believe that fairy tales could come true. But thoughts like that would make the weekend harder.
Hank dropped back into his chair and downed his drink, the one that had been tainted with the sleeve. He wasn’t about to share good news. “They’re full. With wedding guests.”
“What about the room I was supposed to have?” I rubbed my temples.
His voice rumbled with emotion. “Believe me, I asked. Begged even. Nothing is available. Someone booked the last few rooms. Be thankful we have a suite.”
Great. For the entire wedding weekend, I’d be sharing a suite with Hank.
Thank you for reading One Guy I’d Never Date! I hope you enjoyed Haley and Zach’s story. Find out what happens with Hank and Nacha in Two Words I’d Never Say Again. You’ll see a different side of Hank, one that you might fall in love with.
Buy TWO WORDS I’D NEVER SAY AGAIN now >
Keep reading for a BONUS EPILOGUE!
Bonus Epilogue
One Guy I'd Never Date Page 16
