“What about Jeff and the guys at the garage?” Allie asked.
Zach scoffed. “I wouldn’t let those assholes near any of my friends.”
“Really? Why not?” Allie asked.
“Because they’re all racist and homophobic. I’m totally sick of their shit, and I certainly don’t want anyone I like exposed to it. In fact, I have an interview at the Harley shop in Neptune tomorrow afternoon after my shift at Moonlight. I’m hoping I’ll get the job so I can get away from them once and for all.”
“You do? That’s great,” I said. “When did that happen?”
Zach rubbed his face wearily. “This afternoon, when I was on my lunch break. Jeff was being an even bigger prick than usual this week, and I was done with it. Marco put in a good word for me, so Tommy was expecting my call.”
Allie put up her hand. “Okay, who are Marco and Tommy? And who are all these friends?”
While Zach explained how he met Marco and acquired a whole new set of friends, I chatted with Marissa about the joys of four-year-olds and the hazards of LEGO. By the time we finished and paid the check, the restaurant was mostly empty. I checked my phone for the time. “Wow. It’s almost eleven. No wonder the servers were giving us the stink eye.”
“Oh crap,” Marissa said. “I’d better get home. I told Steve we’d be back by eleven.”
When we got outside the restaurant, Allie gave me a hug. “It was great to finally meet you, Miguel.”
“Same,” I said. “You’ll have to come over and bring Cody after Zach’s settled in.”
She grinned. “We’ll probably come by on moving day just to add a little excitement.”
I leaned back in mock horror. “Zach didn’t tell me you were mean.”
Zach put his hand on my shoulder. “Don’t let her fool you. She’s got a mean streak a mile wide.”
She playfully shoved her brother. “Only when you deserve it.” She turned back to me. “But seriously. Thank you for helping Zach. He’s such a good guy and not enough people appreciate that.”
“He really is, and I’m happy to help.” I felt Zach squeeze my shoulder. I looked up at him, and he smiled at me. My stupid heart did a little happy dance at that smile, which seemed like it was meant just for me.
“I could say the same about Miguel,” Zach said.
I rolled my eyes. “All right, it’s too late for a mutual admiration society meeting.”
Marissa switched places with Allie and gave me a hug as well. “We really do have to go. It was nice to meet you, Miguel. I hope we can do this again soon.”
“I’d like that,” I replied.
After our goodbyes, we headed to Zach’s car, which was parked on the next street over. We were walking so close together that our arms brushed frequently. When we got to his car, Zach opened the door for me like we were on a date. I had to keep repeating my mantra to myself:He’s straight. He’s straight. He’s straight.
As we were driving back to my place, I said, “It was nice to finally meet your sister. She’s great.”
“Yeah, she is,” Zach replied. “I just wish she had better taste in men.”
“I guess Cody’s father isn’t in the picture?”
Zach shook his head. “He’s in prison for armed robbery. He went in before Cody was born. He’s never even met his son.”
“Oh wow. That really sucks. So, you’ve been like a father to him then.”
“Pretty much. Allie really loved Nico, Cody’s dad, but he’s impulsive, and he did something stupid to try to get money to help with the baby.”
“And now he’s in prison.” For some reason, that made me sad. “Does Allie take Cody to visit Nico?”
Zach shook his head. “When he first went in, Nico was understandably upset. He told Allie he didn’t want his son to see him in prison. I think it was also a combination of Allie not wanting to see Nico in prison and her not having enough free time to make the trip down to Trenton.”
“Allie’s a really good mom,” he continued. “She loves Cody to pieces. I think she wants to find someone who could be a father to Cody, but she hasn’t had any luck so far.”
