“I’m hanging in there,” she admitted with a yawn. The night was already taking its toll. I’d leave as soon as she said the word.
“Just let me know.”
“Promise.”
Taking Zoe’s hand in my own, I held it in my lap. If she needed to borrow my strength I wouldn’t deny her. For a long moment we just sat in silence staring at each other. We were in a room full of people but honestly I wouldn’t have known. The only person in my vision, the only person who mattered was the beautiful woman beside me.
“Zoe? I didn’t know you’d be back again this weekend!” Katie giggled as she slipped into the seat next to her.
“Yeah, it wasn’t in the plan but?”
“Oh. My. God. Are you two like together?” Katie squealed loudly, causing eyes around the room to search for the cause.
“Shhh. Katie,” Zoe tried to calm her.
“Are you?”
“Are we what, Katie?” I asked, unable to keep the exasperation from my voice.
“Back together? I mean, I always thought you’d make a great couple…” Katie started babbling but she couldn’t hold my focus. Zoe had that. Looking into her wide eyes, I could tell she was freaking out. It was something I just knew without her saying a word.
“I-I-I’m?” Zoe couldn’t even form words. Her hands were suddenly clammy and trembling as her face fell pale.
“We’re just taking things one day at a time,” I cut in, not wanting to see Zoe suffer any more than she had to.
“Cool,” she bubbled. “I’m just going to run to the bar before dinner is served. Do you two love birds want anything?”
“I’m fine, thanks,” Zoe said quickly.
“I’m good.”
I watched her go, making sure she was out of earshot before turning my attention back to Zoe. “You okay?”
Sucking in a deep breath, she couldn’t hide the pain as she winced. “Yeah. I just?I didn’t know what to say to her,” Zoe explained, dropping her eyes and focusing on our interlaced fingertips.
“What do you mean you didn’t know what to say to her?”
“Exactly that. I don’t know what to tell people. I mean, I don’t even know what we are to each other, let alone, trying to explain how this is going to work.”
“Hey hey hey,” I tried to calm her. “Princess, we don’t need to have all the answers tonight. Let’s just be here and enjoy it. We’ll deal with the rest of it tomorrow. Together. Okay?”
“Okay.”
I couldn’t help myself, I stole a kiss.
Someone clearing their throat behind me made me pull away from Zoe quicker than I’d have liked.
“I’m not interrupting, am I?” Derek asked as he flopped into the seat beside me and clasped my shoulder heavily.
“Absolutely!” I smirked back, reaching out and shaking his hand.
“Suck it up. Hey, Zoe, how you doing?”
“I’m fine, thanks. You’re looking pretty spiffy tonight, Derek,” she flirted.
“Spiffy, hey. Well, since you’re looking absolutely gorgeous, maybe I should take you for a spin around the dance floor. Show you what a real man can do?” Derek grinned, winking at me conspiratorially.
I hated it. It was surprising and shocking how quick the jealousy consumed me. Derek was my best friend. He was one of the only other people who knew what Zoe had endured. The sight of him hitting on her filled me with envy.
“Sounds good to me.’ Zoe giggled as she squeezed my hand.
Instantly I knew my life with her would never be boring. She’d keep me on my toes, that was for sure. I wouldn’t change it for anything.
While we sat there chatting, just the three of us in our little bubble, dinner arrived.
