Chapter 4

How was I even here again? I couldn't believe Carlos had shown up at my job like that. Zach's arm around my shoulders was a comforting weight that grounded me. He steered me into my office next to the registration desk and guided me to one of the two chairs in front of my desk while he leaned back against my desk and faced me. He reached behind him, got my box of tissues, and held it out. I half laughed, half sniffled. "What is it with you and tissues?"

He just smiled and said, "I guess that's my job today." He must have seen me wince because he added, "I really don't mind. I'm happy I can help."

I took one of the tissues and carefully wiped my eyes—again. "I can't believe Carlos showed up here."

Zach crossed his muscular arms over his broad chest. "I don't get it. He was the one who didn't want you to babysit his kids. He should have been happy you walked away."

I snorted and shook my head. "Oh, you sweet summer child. Carlos didn't want me to stop watching his kids. He wanted me to stop wearing makeup. I was supposed to conform to his macho, manly man ways and still give him free babysitting."

Zach's mouth dropped open. I almost laughed at how surprised he looked. "I don't even know what to say to that," he said. "He's got a hell of a lot of nerve."

I opened my eyes really wide. "Don't you know Carlos is always right?"

Zach let out a raspberry. "The guy's an asshole."

"He is," I agreed. "I think he was also mad because Isabella was upset. I laid some hard truths on her before I left. I may have hit a nerve, which means she probably laid into Carlos."

Zach's brow creased in concern. "Do you think he'll come back?"

I shook my head. "I doubt it." I glanced at his bulging biceps, trying not to drool over the straight boy. "Especially since you made it clear he wasn't welcome here. And threatened to call the police."

Zach's expression darkened. "He's lucky that's all I did."

I rubbed my face wearily. "I'll probably get a call from my mother. She'll tell me to just do what Carlos wants. It's family, blah, blah, blah…" I shook my head. "Not going to happen. Once I give in on this ‘little thing,' there'll be more and more times I shouldn't wear makeup so this or that relative doesn't get upset." My throat constricted. "I refuse to do that again. If they can't love me because I wear eyeliner, then they never loved me to begin with. They just loved the idea of me."

Zach stared at me for a long moment. Finally, he said, "Damn, Miguel. I never thought about it like that. You are so damn fierce. You blow me away."

And I wanted to cry again. For the briefest moment, I imagined him in the chair I was in while I cuddled on his lap, his strong arms around me, shielding me from the world. "Thanks," I said hoarsely. "And thank you for stepping in out there. I wasn't expecting Carlos to put his hands on me."

Zach made a noise that sounded like a growl. "I don't like bullies."

"That makes two of us." I sighed and checked my smartwatch. "Ugh, it's only just four o'clock. I have three more hours here."

Zach pushed off the desk. "I have to finish prepping the bar for the dinner service. Are you still up for going out for a drink later?"

"Hell yes," I replied. "I'll be there to get my drink on. I might walk so I don't have to worry about driving back home."

"I can always pick you up and drop you back home. It's going to be chilly tonight."

Oh, it was so tempting. But it felt too much like a date, and I was not going to do that to myself. "Tell you what," I countered. "How about I walk there to meet you, and you can drop me off afterward."

Zach's brows drew together. "Are you sure? It'll be dark."

Oh my god, my heart. This man was going to be the death of me. "I'll be fine. It's not that far and all the streets and the boardwalk are well lit."

"Okay," he conceded, pulling out his cell phone. "But let's exchange numbers in case you change your mind."

I suppressed a sigh. Now, I would have his number. The gay gods were mocking me. I unlocked my phone and handed it to him. "Put your number in, and I'll text you." I sent him a text as soon as he gave my phone back. I put his number under Zach (he's straight) Kelley.

Zach smiled at me. "Good. I'll meet you at Watermark at eight."

"See you there," I said.

After he left, I threw back my head and groaned. Why did he have to be so freaking nice? And protective? And gorgeous? I pulled up my contacts and dialed my bestie, Albert.

"Hey, darling, what's up?" he answered.

"I need a dose of reality," I said desperately.

"Uh-oh," he intoned, "What, or should I ask who, did you do?"

"No one yet," I replied. "And I haven't done anything yet either."

"But…"

I let out a sigh and sat in the chair behind my desk. "You remember Zach, the bartender at Moonlight?"

"Oh yes," he said lasciviously. "That man is fine."

"And straight," I added.

"Honey, they are never straight."

"You've been reading too many romance novels," I retorted.

"Maybe so," he admitted. "My favorite is stuck in a blizzard in a cabin with only one bed."

I groaned. "Will you be serious? I'm having a crisis here."

"All right, I'll be serious. Tell me what's going on with tall, dark, and delicious."

I told Albert all about my day, starting with my horrible conversation with my sister and ending with me agreeing to go out for a drink with my straight-boy crush.

Albert was silent for longer than I expected. "She really did that?" he asked. His tone was low and angry. "I can't believe Isabella would do that after everything you went through in high school."

Tears threatened to choke me again. "I know," I said hoarsely. "I said as much to her. I think it might have hit harder than I realized because Carlos was super pissed about me disrespecting my sister. I think it was more that Isabella realized what she'd done and got mad at him for putting her in that position."

Albert sighed. "Oh, honey, I'm so sorry. I know how much you love those kids."

"Yeah, I do." I closed my eyes. "But what am I going to do about Zach?"

"Listen," he said, his tone serious. "You know I like to joke around about straight guys not being straight, but I'm serious about Zach. How many straight guys worry about fixing another man's makeup unless it's their job?"

"None that I've ever met," I conceded.

"And you told me he got all growly and protective when Carlos was there?"

"Well, sure," I replied. "But he's naturally protective. He's in the Army."

Albert let out a loud sigh. "You are so damn stubborn. Why don't you just keep an open mind? He might be bi and not acknowledging that part of himself. You know how some families are about ‘the gay.' I've known a few guys who came out as bi later in life because they were too scared to do it when they were younger."

"I suppose," I acknowledged. "I really like him, Al. Not just because he's hot. I like him. He's caring and compassionate and so damn sweet. He's a big teddy bear."

"So then, why don't you let go of your preconceived notions and let things happen naturally? You'll find out one way or the other."

"I suppose I will," I replied.

"And you better call me tonight after you get home," Albert demanded. "I want all the dirty details."

I laughed for the first time since my conversation with Isabella. "I will. I promise." I was still smiling after I hung up. I was pretty sure there wouldn't be any "dirty" details, but maybe there would be hopeful ones.