“I’ve gotta meet this guy.”
My smile spreads as Nax gets comfortable and kicks a socked foot onto my coffee table. Maybe I’ve calmed him down today, the way my brother calmed me. Christina’s boyfriend said he needed her because she makes him feel better. I want to be that for Nax.
He looks over and we lock eyes, gazing at each other until I ask, “What are you going to do now that you know?”
Nax holds out his hand, and I instinctively reach for it with my free one, but he shakes his head and points to my glass to refill. I flush, realizing I’ve mistakenly thought he wanted to hold hands. “Oh. Yes please. Thank you.”
As he empties the remainder of the first Petit Syrah into our glasses, I watch his profile, the way his forearm muscles move. “I’m not sure.”
“I would take your time, Nax.”
“I would like to take you to dinner, Zia.”
“Oh!” My eyes widen. “But…”
He waits for me to continue, and when I don’t, asks, “But?”
“So many buts, Nax.”
“I like big buts and I cannot lie.”
I point my glass at him, wine sloshing safely inside. “You live on the other side of the country.”
“Yes,” he sighs, “That is a problem.”
“You’re still technically married.”
“Not for Tucking long.”
A grin flashes, and falters. “You have a son.”
“Who says you’re very nice.”
My eyebrows hit the cement ceiling. “Joe said I’m nice?”
“Yep.”
Absorbing this information, I self-consciously adjust my body, resting my left foot on the coffee table, right one tucked under me. “That’s very sweet.”
“Remember how I told you of my love of films? I’ve never created anything better in my whole life than that little man.” Nax’s sock slides over the rounded copper, socked pinky toe touching my naked one. “You forgot one ‘but.’”
Distracted by the touch, I mumble, “I was sure there were more.”
“I’m here for Josh. To help him heal. Although I have a feeling Christina’s project will do a better job than my distractions.” Wiggling his toe to mine, both of our gazes locked on our feet, Nax says, “It’ll give him a road back to his own charity work, remind him he was meant to help people.”
“Mmhmm,” I hum in agreement as my pinky toe plays with his. “You said you were staying a little longer, for him. Is that still true now that you found out about…the other thing.”
Nax laughs, “The other thing! That’s a great way to put it.” He pulls his foot away, leaving me staring at its absence until he says, “It’s still true. But I need to talk to Liz. I left her a message. It’s Sunday so she’s not checking her phone much.” Setting his glass down by my foot, he slides one finger up to my ankle before leaning back and rubbing his face with the meat of his palms. “Look, I don’t have all of the answers.” His arms drops, hands resting on spread thighs. “But after that tour you gave us, my friends told me I should’ve asked you out. I know now that they were right.”
Warmth spreads in my entire body, voice failing me. Nax reaches over, takes my glass and sets it by his. I’m watching with a racing heart, goosebumps of anticipation singing down my skin in all directions. Our eyes lock and he takes my hands and guides me to him, lying on top of his long body, our legs entwining with ease like we’ve done this before. Sea-blue eyes trace my face without hurry. Can he feel my heartbeat? Is it as loud as I think it is?
“Zia…” Our eyes hold for several suspenseful seconds, before he traces my collar bone, my neck, my face, voice deeper than before. “When we were at your museum, I didn’t mean to confess that I liked listening to you. That’s why I walked away and joked around, the second I realized what I’d said. On the ride home, my friends tried to talk me into dating you, and I won’t lie, I fought them. Because I didn’t see how it was possible. But you stuck with me. All day I thought about you. Then when I saw you at that party I thought it was a crazy coincidence. But something clicked in me, and I felt like a teenager, all excited, until it became me trying to impress the beautiful girl who wouldn’t look at him. Then you showed up at mini golf. Bennett said you weren’t coming, but I bought a ticket, just in case. And then there you were with your cousins, stunning. You showed up after pretty much telling me to Tuck off.”
My heart is calming down under his touch, and I smile, “You’re really getting the hang of our game.”
He traces my jawline, lifting my chin, our faces so close I can feel the heat of his sweet breath. “But at the restaurant you told me again to stick it where the sun don’t shine.”
Staring at his lips, I whisper, “Pretty sure I didn’t use those words.”
He leans closer, eyelashes heavy like mine. “But look what happens. Christina calls for help and oh look, Bennett can’t be the one. Guess who has to come to your rescue?” Our lips brush together, barely touching as they slide and ignite sparks between my legs. “So…was it a crazy coincidence? Or something bigger.”
Lightly panting, I whisper, “Tempest doesn’t believe in coincidences.”
He brushes his lips to mine again, with a
