My breath hitched. “Zack…”
Theo scowled. “I can talk to my ex. Geez, if you’re the jealous type, you really aren’t gonna last.”
“Shut the hell up,” I snapped.
Zack threw him back, then Theo lunged toward him, talking shit. I tried to keep them apart and shout some sense into him, but my ex was an idiot.
Shelby rolled up her sleeves and marched over like she intended to throw her own hands. “Stop being mean to my cousin and friend.”
Harvey reeled her in with an incredulous smile. “Hold on, sugarplum.”
Our waitress waved her notebook like a white flag. “No fighting inside. You know that, Zack.”
“It’s fine. We’re fine.” He huffed and shook out his arms like he would’ve loved to take a real swing. “You wanna go outside, man?”
“No, forget it.” Theo popped his collar and sauntered away. “Call me when you dump him.”
“Don’t hold your breath. And unfollow me, while you’re at it," I said.
He had the nerve to look stung. The nerve. After he showed up in the evidence of his betrayal. Then, he stomped off in them.
Whatever. “I hope him and those shoes will be very happy together,” I muttered, brushing the wrinkles from Zack’s shirt.
“Who was that guy?” Shelby huffed.
“My ex," I said with disdain. How had I ever been with him?
Harvey frowned and stroked Shelby’s hair. “Are you okay?”
When she looked at me, I started. Was he actually asking me?
“I’m fine, yeah. Are you okay?” I asked Zack.
“Yeah, I just need to cool off for a minute.” He wiped his face and headed for the doors.
“Wait.” I caught his wrist and his gaze. “You’re not going after him again, right?”
He frowned and shook his head. “What was he talking about, Nic? Jealousy and good men and…”
My heartbeat slowed. The bare strip of skin on my midriff seemed way too vulnerable now. He could cut me open or stitch me back together. But I had to be honest with him.
“I’ll tell you everything after this,” I whispered.
He paled. “There’s something to tell?”
Something. Yes.
I only hoped it wouldn’t cost me everything I wanted.
36
Revelations
Zack curled his hands into fists. “We should go.”
And abandon our double date? This was supposed to be fun. Relaxing. Then, he’d be in a good mood when I told him about my clients. Right now, we were too worked up to talk, let alone drive anywhere.
“Let’s eat our pretzel bites, calm down, then you and I can go to my place and talk about this.” I tried to smooth the tension out of his arms, but he flinched away from me.
