Tears pricked the corners of my eyes. “Of course, I feel the same for you. I always have.”
“Then what’s stopping you?”
“Your sister.”
“I told you…”
I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter. I need to talk to her myself.”
Zion nodded and blew out a breath. “Alright. Whatever you need to do. Aren’t the two of you hanging out tonight?”
“Yes. After my shift is over. You’re my last client.”
“Oh, am I? So how more time do I have?” Zion closed the gap between us and I stepped away, putting it back. I needed it there. I wasn’t sure what I’d do otherwise.
“Do you really want pictures?”
“Of course I do! I didn’t put on my ugly sweater for nothing.”
I cracked a smile. “Alright. If you promise to behave. Go sit on the stool again.”
Zion did as he was told. He posed and I snapped, the laughter contagious and infectious.
And by the end of the session, I couldn’t stop smiling. As we said our goodbyes, I told him I’d be in touch.
but really, I felt more confused as ever.
Growing up,April and I were inseparable. Sleepovers and endless visits, it was the two of us against the world. And always protecting and looking over us?
Zion.
April complained, but I secretly liked it. Because I’d always likedhim.Cute Zion with the adorable smile. Handsome Zion with the steely jaw and facial hair that grew in young.
Zion Zion Zion…the man of my dreams. Literally.
I pulled into my driveway and hurried into my cabin, away from the cold. Snow was on the way, and I already planned on having April crash here. It was a drinking snowed in kind of night.
Inside, I flicked on the lights, turned up the heat, and got a fire going in the fireplace, both of my cats coming out to greet me. My female was named Lemon and the male Orange, though they were both dark brown with black tabby stripes. I fed them dinner and scooped their litter box, tidying up the place.
Before my parents divorced, my father taught me lots of life skills, from changing a tire to starting a fire with sticks. Even after the divorce, when I visited him on weekends, he taught me how to cook and how to read a map. While he may not have been able to work things out with my mother, he was a damn good dad. My mother taught me how to cook and clean, how to do laundry, and other chores around the house, so by the time I moved out, I was prepared.
Less than twenty minutes later, my pjs were on. I set the snacks out, and our glasses, ready for the first pour.
Despite being ready, I felt anything but. My mind was all over the place.
Did Zion really confess his feelings to me? Did we really kiss?
How did any of it happen?
My doorbell rang and I no longer had time to figure any of it out.
April stood in my doorway, a bright smile on her face. “Ah! Let me in! It’s freezing!” She rushed inside in her normal chaotic fashion, bringing a gust of cold air with her. She was already in pjs along with her furry coat and furry boots, a big hat and scarf, her overnight bag and purse slung over her shoulder.
Wiping her feet on the mat by the door, she slipped her boots off and dashed for the fireplace. “The snow is pretty but?—”
“Man, do I hate the cold.” I finished her sentence as I walked into the living room.
April grinned at me as she set her bag down. She held her hands out to the fire while kneeling in front of it. “You know it, bitch. The roads are already shitty.”
