Chapter 16

Since it was Friday, Talula's was packed. We managed to find two seats at the end of one of their long, family-style tables. The place was lively with conversation all around us. The brick walls and exposed beams in the high ceilings did little to dampen the sound. The harried server came by to give us water and take our drink and food orders. I got my favorite personal pizza, the New Yorker. It had four different cheeses. Yum. Zach got a bowl of meatballs as well as a personal pizza. I guessed it took a lot to feed a body that size with all the work he did.

When the server brought his beer and my sangria, we clinked glasses, and Zach said, "To friends who have your back."

"I'll drink to that," I said. I sipped my sangria and asked, "So, do you want some help packing? I'm pretty good at it."

He looked surprised by the offer. "Sure. I have to get boxes first though."

"We can probably get some at the hotel. We always have deliveries coming in."

"That's true. I can check tomorrow before the brunch service."

I heard a woman's voice behind me. "Zach?"

He looked up in surprise. "Allie?"

I turned to see Zach's sister standing behind me. It was obvious they were related. They had the same black hair and bright-blue eyes. Zach stood and came around the end of the table to give her a hug. "Hey, it's good to see you." He looked at the woman next to Allie and said, "Hey, Marissa." He put his hand on my shoulder. "This is my friend, Miguel."

"So, this is the Miguel I keep hearing about," Allie exclaimed.

"Um…what?" I said intelligently.

Allie put her hands on her hips. "Zach talks about you all the time." She glared at me. "So does Cody, ever since you spent the afternoon with him and taught him that Bruno song."

I put up my hands. "In my defense, Zach was already playing it for him when I got there."

Zach nudged me with his hip. "Way to throw me under the bus."

"No one needs the wrath of a toddler mom aimed at them," I retorted.

Allie laughed. "He's barely a toddler anymore. He's going to be four in May."

"That's right," I said. "May the fourth. I should get him a little R2D2 to start him on his Star Wars adventure."

Allie rolled her eyes. "You're behind by four years. He's been getting Star Wars toys and action figures since birth."

I couldn't help it. I had to laugh. "Has he even seen a Star Wars movie yet?"

She shook her head. "He's too little. Maybe in another year or two, he can watch some of the animated shows."

Our server arrived with our food, so Zach sat back down. The people sitting next to us left, so Allie and Marissa took their seats. Allie sat next to Zach, and Marissa sat next to me. The server took their orders, and the four of us fell into easy conversation.

Every once in a while, I'd look over at Allie and find her staring at me. I finally met her gaze with a raised eyebrow. She blushed and looked away. "Sorry," she said sheepishly. "Cody kept saying you were pretty, and you really are."

Zach covered his face with his hands. "Jesus, Allie."

I shook my head. "It's fine, Zach." To Allie, I smiled and said, "Thank you."

Her cheeks were still pink from embarrassment. "You're welcome. I have to ask," she continued, "how do you get your eyeliner to look like that? Every time I try to put on eyeliner, I end up looking like a sad clown."

Marissa burst out laughing. Zach tried to hide his smile behind his hand. I cleared my throat before I answered. "I could show you sometime if you like."

"That would be great." She put her hand on Zach's arm. "We could meet at your apartment next Sunday."

Zach and I looked at each other across the table. "About that," Zach began. "I'm going to be moving next week."

"What? Why? I thought you had two months to move."

The server came by just then with Allie's and Marissa's food, so Zach waited until she left before answering. He looked around before speaking. "I got offered a substantial amount of money to leave by the fifteenth, so I'm moving out early."

"Where? It's nearly impossible to find anything affordable around here."

"I'm moving in with Miguel."

She looked shocked. I wasn't sure why, so I jumped into the conversation. "My roommate is moving in with his boyfriend, so Zach is going to move into his room."

"Oh. Okay." She looked at Zach. "Why didn't you tell me before this?"

"I just got the letter tonight after I got home from work," Zach replied. "I had to ask Miguel's roommate if he was willing to move out sooner before I could give the guy my answer."

Allie's brows drew together in a frown. "What about Cody?" She bit her lip. "I know it sounds selfish, but I count on Zach when I can't find another babysitter."

I shook my head. "It's no problem at all. Cody's a great kid, and I had a lot of fun hanging out with him. I have my niece and nephew over once in a while too." My heart squeezed a little, and I sighed. "Or I did until their father decided he didn't like that I wear makeup."

Allie wrinkled her nose, and I heard Marissa murmur, "What the fuck?"

"What has that got to do with anything?" Allie asked.

I looked over at Zach. "I'm adopting your sister. She's mine now."

He feigned outrage. "Nuh-uh. I saw her first."

Allie laughed. "You two are idiots."

"Will you need help moving?" Marissa asked. "Steve could probably help on Friday after work."

"Steve?" I asked.

"Oh, my husband," Marissa replied. "He's watching Cody and my daughter Emma tonight while we have a girls' night out."

Zach shrugged. "We're not sure. We think we'll have everyone we need. My boss at Moonlight offered to help along with a few of our friends."

"What about Jeff and the guys at the garage?" Allie asked.

Zach scoffed. "I wouldn't let those assholes near any of my friends."

"Really? Why not?" Allie asked.

"Because they're all racist and homophobic. I'm totally sick of their shit, and I certainly don't want anyone I like exposed to it. In fact, I have an interview at the Harley shop in Neptune tomorrow afternoon after my shift at Moonlight. I'm hoping I'll get the job so I can get away from them once and for all."

"You do? That's great," I said. "When did that happen?"

Zach rubbed his face wearily. "This afternoon, when I was on my lunch break. Jeff was being an even bigger prick than usual this week, and I was done with it. Marco put in a good word for me, so Tommy was expecting my call."

Allie put up her hand. "Okay, who are Marco and Tommy? And who are all these friends?"

While Zach explained how he met Marco and acquired a whole new set of friends, I chatted with Marissa about the joys of four-year-olds and the hazards of LEGO. By the time we finished and paid the check, the restaurant was mostly empty. I checked my phone for the time. "Wow. It's almost eleven. No wonder the servers were giving us the stink eye."

"Oh crap," Marissa said. "I'd better get home. I told Steve we'd be back by eleven."

When we got outside the restaurant, Allie gave me a hug. "It was great to finally meet you, Miguel."

"Same," I said. "You'll have to come over and bring Cody after Zach's settled in."

She grinned. "We'll probably come by on moving day just to add a little excitement."

I leaned back in mock horror. "Zach didn't tell me you were mean."

Zach put his hand on my shoulder. "Don't let her fool you. She's got a mean streak a mile wide."

She playfully shoved her brother. "Only when you deserve it." She turned back to me. "But seriously. Thank you for helping Zach. He's such a good guy and not enough people appreciate that."

"He really is, and I'm happy to help." I felt Zach squeeze my shoulder. I looked up at him, and he smiled at me. My stupid heart did a little happy dance at that smile, which seemed like it was meant just for me.

"I could say the same about Miguel," Zach said.

I rolled my eyes. "All right, it's too late for a mutual admiration society meeting."

Marissa switched places with Allie and gave me a hug as well. "We really do have to go. It was nice to meet you, Miguel. I hope we can do this again soon."

"I'd like that," I replied.

After our goodbyes, we headed to Zach's car, which was parked on the next street over. We were walking so close together that our arms brushed frequently. When we got to his car, Zach opened the door for me like we were on a date. I had to keep repeating my mantra to myself: He's straight. He's straight. He's straight.

As we were driving back to my place, I said, "It was nice to finally meet your sister. She's great."

"Yeah, she is," Zach replied. "I just wish she had better taste in men."

"I guess Cody's father isn't in the picture?"

Zach shook his head. "He's in prison for armed robbery. He went in before Cody was born. He's never even met his son."

"Oh wow. That really sucks. So, you've been like a father to him then."

"Pretty much. Allie really loved Nico, Cody's dad, but he's impulsive, and he did something stupid to try to get money to help with the baby."

"And now he's in prison." For some reason, that made me sad. "Does Allie take Cody to visit Nico?"

Zach shook his head. "When he first went in, Nico was understandably upset. He told Allie he didn't want his son to see him in prison. I think it was also a combination of Allie not wanting to see Nico in prison and her not having enough free time to make the trip down to Trenton."

"Allie's a really good mom," he continued. "She loves Cody to pieces. I think she wants to find someone who could be a father to Cody, but she hasn't had any luck so far."

"That right guy will come along," I said. I rubbed my chin thoughtfully. "I'll have to see if I know any straight guys."

Zach threw his head back and laughed. "You do that."

When we got back to my apartment, Zach parked and I got out. "Goodnight. I'll see you tomorrow at work."

"Hold on," he said. He got out of the car, came around, and pulled me into a hug. "Thank you again for everything you've done to help me. I haven't had a friend like you since I was a kid. It's really nice not to have to do this on my own."

I wrapped my arms around his waist and held him tight. "It's my pleasure. I'm glad I was able to help you."

And then I felt the soft pressure on my head and knew I hadn't imagined it the last time. Zach had kissed the top of my head. "Goodnight, Miguel. I'll see you tomorrow morning."

I stood frozen on the spot while he got back into his car and pulled away. My heart was racing, and I wanted to call him back and show him what a real kiss was like. But I couldn't because he was straight—or at least he didn't seem open to thinking he was anything else. I couldn't keep waiting for him to have that ah-ha moment, especially since he would be living with me. I pulled out my phone. It was time to get back on the apps again.