I sighed. “Please don’t. He’s straight. Or at least he hasn’t decided he’s not.”
Evan tsked. “They’re never straight. Is he making googly eyes at you? Because if he is, he’s already halfway there.”
Did Zach make googly eyes at me? I would say yes. “Well, he’s moving in with me, so I guess we’ll see.”
Both of them exclaimed, “What?”
I sighed and explained the thing with Zach’s landlord and the offer to pay him to leave early.
Raphael made a sound of approval. “I know Santino D’Angelo. He’s licensed in New York as well as New Jersey. Good defense attorney. He was the right man to help Zach.”
“I agree. The poor man isn’t used to anybody helping him, so it was a shock to his system to have a lawyer offer his services for free.” I checked the time on my phone. “I have to head out now. Thanks for checking in with me. Good luck at my parents’ place. Don’t expect much though. They’ve pretty much made up their minds.”
“Don’t give up yet, Miguel,” Raphael said. “Your family loves you.”
I shook my head even though I knew he couldn’t see me. “They love the grandchildren Carlos is able to give them more. I can’t compete with that.”
“There’s nothing saying you can’t have children if you want them,” Raphael objected.
“I know,” I replied with a sigh. “But first, I have to find someone who wants me for me and wants kids. And I wouldn’t be surprised if that still wasn’t good enough for my family.”
“All right,” Evan chided, “now you’re just feeling sorry for yourself. Go and have a nice dinner with your hot straight boy. We’ll call you later tonight when we get home and tell you all about our visit.”
I rubbed my face, determined to shake off this melancholy. “You’re right. Thank you for being in my corner, both of you.”
“Anytime, Miguel,” Raphael said.
After the call, I had to fix my makeup because I’d smudged it, but I made it to Moonlight Inn just a few minutes after noon. I was lucky to be able to park in the employee lot because the parking spaces around the small hotel were all taken. I sent a text to Zach.
Me
I’m here. Sorry, I’m late. Do you have a table already?
Zach (he’s straight) Kelley
Not yet. I just got here a little before you. I’ll come outside.
I was going to tell him not to do that, but frankly, I wanted a big old Zach hug right about then. I saw him walking toward me with his long, confident stride, and I felt my chin wobble. He stopped in front of me, a worried frown on his face. “What’s wrong?”
My eyes stung and I blinked away traitorous tears. “Bad week, bad date, and I had to rehash all my family woes with Raphael just before I left for here.”
Zach’s expression softened and he opened his arms. “Come on in.”
His leather jacket was unzipped, so I slipped my arms inside and wrapped them around his waist. He pulled me close and held me tight, and if a few tears leaked from my eyes, no one had to know.
He was warm against the chill of the early spring day, and I wouldn’t have minded if we just stayed there all day. But as with all good things, it had to end. I stepped back, taking the tissue Zach already had in his hand. “Thank you. I needed that.”
“I’m always good for a hug,” he said with a smile.
“I know.” I gently patted my cheeks with the tissue, then raised my face so he could see it. “Is my makeup okay?”
His smile was tender. “It looks great. You look great.”
My cheeks heated. “Thank you.” I looked him up and down. He was wearing the slate-blue button-down he’d worn to Paradise with a pair of black slacks. “You look pretty good yourself.”
He looked down and smiled shyly. “Thanks.” Then he held out his arm, and I threaded mine through his as we walked inside.
The dining room was full, and the waitstaff was busy going from table to table, seeing to the diner’s needs. Carrie, who was at the host station, smiled when we walked in. “Hey, you two. I was wondering if you were going to show up.”
