“Goddess, Willow,” Zach said in a rough voice as he pulled back from the kiss with effort. “I want you so badly it hurts.”
I nodded jerkily. Speech was impossible. My heart pounded so loudly in my chest, I was sure all of Assjacket could hear it. I was on Cloud Nine and wasn’t coming down any time soon.
“Now, it’s up to me to deal with my shit and get into a semi-functional relationship with myself,” he said, gently cupping my cheek in his hand. “I can’t promise to have a relationship with Fabio like Zelda has, but my sister is correct. I need to let shit go. We’re starting now. You with me?” he asked, looking worried.
“All the way,” I told him, turning my head and kissing the palm of his hand. “I’m in all the way.”
Chapter Ten
Zelda’s dad’s house was lovely. It had previously belonged to his dearly departed and much-loved sister Hildy—a healer witch like Zelda, Zach and Fabio. Hildy had left the house to Zelda in her will, and Zelda had given it to her dad when she'd mated with Mac and moved into his place.
My breath caught in my throat when I saw it. It was as if the house had walked straight out of my dreams and plopped itself down in Assjacket, West Virginia. The white Victorian had a wraparound porch dotted with rocking chairs and charming turrets. Perfumed wildflowers and rose bushes covered the grounds and huge trees shaded the beautiful home. Touching one of the large oaks, I smiled. The trees were happy here. I could feel their contented hum.
“He doesn’t know we’re coming,” Zach said tightly, taking in the house and the property. His tension was through the roof. “This is a very bad plan.”
“Did Zelda give you his phone number?” I asked, pulling out my phone. “We could hide in the trees and call him. See if he’s home.”
At that very moment, Fabio walked out of the front door and stood on the porch. His handsome face was so like his son’s. The smile he wore was tentative and unsure, but it was welcoming.
“Don’t think we have to call,” I said with a quick, friendly wave to Fabio. I took Zach’s hand and pulled him toward the house.
It was similar to dragging a cement boulder.
“He doesn’t bite,” I whispered.
“Right,” Zach said. “And if he does, I’ll zap the shit out of him.”
“Good plan,” I said with a laugh.
Zach’s steps slowed. “I feel strange.” He sounded more like a little boy than a grown man.
I stopped tugging him along and stared up into his sparkling green eyes. They were the same eyes as the man on the porch who watched our every move. “I can talk to Fabio if you want to stay here.”
Zach shook his head and blew out a resigned breath. “No. We’re here for Bob and Roger. I’m not here for a come to the Goddess with my sperm donor. I can do this.”
“For Bob and Roger,” I repeated and waited for him to move. I was here for Zach and would approach the house when he was ready.
“I’m good,” Zach said, nodding to Fabio and striding forward. “Gonna let go of some shit.”
I just hoped letting go of shit didn’t involve blood or broken bones—or Goddess forbid, getting mowed down by a car. But while warlocks were strong, dryads packed a pretty powerful magical punch. However, we were here to get a name, not play happy families. Even so, I loved Zach and had very strong feelings of like for Fabio, so I was also going to make sure, whatever happened, everyone saw tomorrow in one piece.
The interior of the house was as lovely as the exterior—hardwood floors with colorful Persian rugs. The furniture was overstuffed and comfortable. The windows stretched from the floor to the ceiling and the natural light was fabulous. The only oddity was an enormous disco ball that hung from the ceiling in the foyer. It was garish and hilarious, but somehow fit in perfectly.
“How much?” Fabio questioned.
“They paid Mae Blockinschlokinberg two hundred thousand dollars,” I told him then gasped in disbelief as Fabio snapped his fingers and a mountain of money appeared.
Loads of cash—all hundred-dollar bills—sat atop of the distressed oak kitchen table that seated twelve. There was far more than two hundred thousand.
The sunlight streaming through the windows illuminated and framed the stack of bills as I gaped at them in shock. I’d never seen so much money in my life. As soon as we’d told Fabio the horrible story from beginning to end, he was on it. No questions were asked other than how much money we needed.
Zach cleared his throat and stared at the bills. I was fairly sure he had never seen that much cash either.
“Actually, Zelda’s dad,” Zach said. “We’re only looking for a name.”
Fabio pushed the pile over to Zach’s and my side of the table and shook his head. “I have no clue who could have been stupid enough to invest that much money in the Assjacket Community Theatre,” he said with a laugh.
“Umm… you’re about to invest that much right now,” I said, pointing at the cash. “I mean, we’ll pay you back, but it might take a decade or ten.”
“Absolu-tree not,” Fabio said with a smile, charming me with his Puntreelish. “I don’t need it or want it back.”
Zach stared at the man who was the mirror image of himself. “Can I ask where you got this kind of money, Zelda’s dad?”
Fabio grew wildly fascinated with his cuticles. I almost laughed. This entire family was an intriguing hot mess.
“Is that a literal question or a figurative one?” he queried.
Zach looked down at the table to hide what I thought might be a smile. “Literal.”
Fabio ran his hands through his hair until it stood on end. It was clear he was contemplating how much to share. The moment was as achingly important to him as it was to Zach. I knew
