“It’s a getaway for the parents-to-be to have a little pampering of their own before their lives are overrun with diapers and dark circles.”
Zac nodded in understanding. His friends could use a little relaxation. Of the two of them, Lucy was the one holding it together despite the two lumberjack babies growing inside of her. Jonathan, on the other hand, was a walking, talking panic attack waiting to happen. On more than one occasion he’d had to sit with his head between his legs and take deep breaths. Zac knew his friend was naturally prone to anxiety—Jon had been through it numerous times—but the closer Lucy got to delivery the more stressed her husband managed to get. Which was why Zac was happy to be able to take this climbing magazine thing off their plates. And also why he felt hurt not being looped in with the house overhaul.
He threw a thumb over his shoulder and said, “Well, I’ll head out so you can get back to it.”
“Wait.” Todd stepped between Zac and the front door. “Want a beer first?”
Todd didn’t wait for a response, but instead draped an arm around Zac’s shoulder and led him into the kitchen. He pulled out a bottle and handed it off.
“Thanks,” Zac mumbled and took a swig. After a few moments of silence, he asked, “Was it Jon or Lucy who asked you to do this?”
Todd shook his head. “Neither. It’s a surprise.”
“Wow. That’s cool of you. But what if they hate it?”
His lips pursed in skepticism while his eyes did a full rotation. “Please.”
The reaction was fair. Todd knew the couple well, and honestly as long as the reno included the babies’ room, the Millers would probably be happy. On numerous occasions he’d heard Jon moan about not having the time to get it ready.
“Can I help?” Zac suddenly felt desperate to take another thing off of his best friend’s plate. As though helping Todd with whatever he needed would put more points in the reliability column. “I’m a decent woodworker and any asshole can paint—”
“Hey.”
“You know what I mean.” He hadn’t meant to offend, only to convince Todd that he could be useful. Plus, whatever task he was given would be another way to distract him from his current fixation. And while he wouldn’t be able to wipe the leggy red head from his mind completely, the sweat equity would at least help him work off the lingering tension he’d felt since running into her.
“Put those puppy dog eyes away. You can help,” Todd assured with a chuckle. “But we’re about to wrap up for the night.”
Damn. He could really use something to do to quiet his riotous mind tonight. “You sure? I could find something to do.”
Todd’s eyes searched and analyzed Zac’s face, and Zac refused to squirm as he was certain the man could read his thoughts from across the kitchen countertops. “Are you all right, Zac?”
“Sure, of course.” He flinched at his own too-quick response.
“Nothing’s bothering you?”
“Not a damned thing.”
“Ok,” Todd conceded, following Zac to the front door. “See you tomorrow after you’re off work?”
“Sure thing. I’ll bring tacos.”
“You’re a peach.” Todd ushered him out the door. “See you tomorrow.”
Chapter fifteen
Tabitha
Tabithaclosedherlaptopand crawled under the covers of her room at the Wilhelm Haus Inn; she felt like she could finally breathe. After finishing dinner with Lark and Frankie, she didn’t stick around for the women to stage a front to get more information out of her. Her past with Zac needed to stay there. And while she’d have to face him for two more excursions, that didn’t mean she had to spend her free time gabbing about what they once were. The wound had healed—it had taken a while and had derailed her plans somewhat, but eventually she’d gotten back on track.
So then why did it feel like the scar was fresh all over again?
It had to be the shock of it all. If she’d known he was going to be her guide for the Leavenworth assignment, she could have prepared herself. Gotten her mind right. Honed her focus. Instead, she was caught off guard, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t rebalance and succeed at keeping her job withRock ‘n’ Ropes.
The moment Tabitha flipped off her light to get some rest—or try to get some rest—her phone pinged. It was probably Lark, sending some kind of motivational quote or something in an attempt to be uplifting. She rolled her eyes at the thought, but couldn’t help but smile as she snatched up her phone.
Angus:
Time for another weekly twin check-in!
