“Water’s fine.”
Tilly grabbed a bottle of water for Zach and a can of soda for herself and then sat, noting that Zach hadn’t touched his food.“Eat while it’s hot.”
“It’s rude to eat before the hostess is seated,” he said simply.
A flush of heat warmed her cheeks, and it wasn’t anything to do with the bowl of hot soup in front of her.“You may eat,” she said, sounding like royalty.
“Thank you.”He smirked and picked up his spoon.
The next few moments passed silently as they ate their meal, along with the bread.She noted the dark circles under Zach’s eyes, while still there, weren’t as noticeable as they had been at the mayor’s office.
“Did you have a good nap?”she asked once they’d both placed their spoons in their empty bowls.
“I did.And this was delicious.Thanks for cooking for me, Tilly.”
“You’re welcome, and I’m glad you liked it.It’s one of my favorite recipes to make.”
“I’ll have to get it from you.It’s the perfect balance of being flavorful but not heavy.Most soups I’ve had are always thick and dense with vegetables and meat.”
“I thought you probably wouldn’t want something super filling, being so late in the evening to eat.”
“It was perfect.”
Pleasure filled her, and she stood to gather the plates.But Zach stood as well and grabbed the plates before she could scoop them up.“You don’t need to do that.”
Zach shook his head.“You cooked.It’s the least I can do.And I can stack a dishwasher expertly too.”
He looked so at home in her kitchen that she couldn’t bring herself to stop him.
After a few minutes the table was cleared and the dishes, including the pot she’d cooked the soup in, were in the dishwasher.
“Right, how about we get started on distributing the tasks to get this event off the ground?”Zach sat back at the table, his arms resting on the white surface.
It wouldn’t take much for her to reach out and touch her hand against his.Entwine their fingers together.Then all she’d have to do was rise up a little, lean across and she could kiss him.Feel his full mouth against hers.He would be an expert kisser.She didn’t know how she knew that...she just did.
No kissing.No matter how much you want to.
Tilly kept her hands where they were.“I know this isn’t something you really want to do, so I appreciate you being enthusiastic about it.”
Zach shrugged.“It is what it is.And I know how important this is to you, so while it may not be something I’m keen on, I’m going to give it all my attention, because you deserve that from me.”
If possible Tilly’s heart melted a little more.His acknowledgment of the importance of the task meant the world to her.Zach wasn’t saying the words in an indulgent, pat on the head type of way, like some of the people in town would do once they heard what she had planned.He truly meant them.“Thank you.I appreciate that more than you could know.Okay, let me get my stuff and we can get down to business.The sooner we get through this, the quicker you’ll be able to get home and get more sleep.”
Tilly went to her spare room, which she’d set up as an office so she could do her work, and grabbed the file of information she’d dumped there when she’d gotten home.
“Do you have some paper and a pen for me so I can write down what I need to do?”Zach asked once she’d returned to the table with the folder.
“Shoot, I should’ve thought of that when I was in my office.Hang on, be right back.Why don’t you have a look through and see what I’ve planned and how I think it’s going to work?”
She went back to her office and grabbed the necessary things.Tilly took a moment to gather herself.The moment she stepped back into the kitchen, everything started.Her plans would come to life.
She and Zach were going to be the talk of Marietta.
Chapter Seven
This wasn’t goingto be easy, Zach thought, as he looked at one piece of paper and then at the next one.Tilly’s idea was a good one, but there was no organization to it.He’d read through her application form for the contest, his eyes closing the second after he read his mom’s name as the big drawcard.Even knowing that was who she wanted, seeing it in black and white didn’t make it any easier to swallow.
Had his mom agreed to attend and participate?Or was Tilly still being wishful?
