Cassandra eyed us from afar, then raised her brows and pointed between all of us with impish teasing.
Yes, I was with his family, I confirmed with my body language.
She gave me a thumbs up. Hopefully, I wouldn’t need the good luck, but I still appreciated it.
April eased the kids from behind her. “If you’re ever looking for more work, I’m sure the kids would love you to babysit. You could even tag-team.”
“Does that mean you’ll be paying her, me, and Shelby?” Zack asked dryly.
“We don’t charge family,” Coral chided.
April blushed. “W-well, I’m sure we could arrange something. Do you need house cleaning?”
My mind snagged on the idea of Zack’s mom and aunts wiping my ass-prints off the kitchen counter or spotting condoms in the trash. “I'm not sure about that."
Zack squeezed my shoulder. “She’s pretty busy. She just got a new campaign, actually.”
“Really?” Coral beamed.
“Congratulations.” Shelby clasped her hands and bounced, her boots jingling.
May sagged her shoulders, her gaze trailing down. “So, you won’t babysit?”
“No. But I’d still like to hang out, if that’s okay,” I said.
Zack smiled and squeezed my arm.
It was more than okay. May listed off a dozen things we could do next time I was free.
“Sounds great,” I told her. “I have to get back to work, but it was nice seeing you all.” I waved, then offered hugs to those who wanted them (Zack, May, Coral, and Shelby). Each squeeze threaded more reassurance into my bones. These people supported me.
A jingling bell reminded me of something Cassandra'd said earlier. “Oh, Shelby, can I introduce you to my coworker? She might be interested in hiring a party princess. I was going to ask you for a website, but since you’re here, can you talk to her?”
“Sure thing.” She looped her arm through mine and waltzed off with me as if we’d always been best buddies.
Part of me wished I had known her in high school. Maybe she would’ve dragged my wallflower ass over to eat with her friends or included me in her plans for the dance. She’d have complimented my outfits, asked about my day, and built my damn confidence. Maybe with a real friend’s support, I’d have been brave enough to confront what I really wanted from Zack. Love. And maybe attention, at first. I’d have cheered with his family in the stands, packed him off for college, and stayed with him when he had a concussion. Maybe we’d be engaged by now, living in a big house with our own businesses, because we’d encouraged each other.
But I didn’t regret how we got here. Our future was still looking pretty damned bright from where I was standing.
He jerked his chin goodbye and led his family away from the door.
“Thank you for getting me away for a minute,” Shelby confessed.
“Were the little ones acting up?” I asked.
“No, my mother.” She sighed. “She keeps trying to convince me I don’t need to buy anything, but she hasn’t even seen the place I’m subletting. And I get that I don’t need everything, because I’ll have roomies and then Harvey, but there’s only so much you can clean an old mattress.” She wrinkled her nose.
“Ew, yes. You deserve a sweat-free mattress pad or at least a protective slip.” I straightened my spine and tried to keep my voice even. “So, you found a place?” Why wouldn’t Zack have mentioned it?
Shelby nodded. “Zack and I are subletting from his friends. You might’ve met some of them at band practice. You should come by. We’re still figuring out which room will be whose. Everyone wants the single, and the only guy I’d be okay sharing a room with is Zack. Or Harvey, for obvious reasons.” She flushed.
I nodded, distracted. “Right. Lots of people enjoy living with their partners over their friends.”
She read my carefully neutral face, then hugged my arm. “You should come by. We’ll have a mini housewarming party.”
“Oh, no. I couldn’t,” I said. Zack hadn’t even told me about it himself.
She glanced over her shoulder. “I know it’s weird because you’re dating my cousin. I am loyal to him, but I want you to know, we can still be friends. I’ll still tell him when he’s being an idiot. I told him that recently, as a matter of fact. But it'd be silly to avoid seeing our place just because he hasn’t mentioned it. Zack wants to build a solid foundation before he presents stuff like feelings or accomplishments. He likes you, and he wants to share his life with you, I promise.”
