I was sure I had a goofy grin as I walked through the crowded room. Zach was mixing a drink when I sidled up to the bar and took a seat. “Hey, baby,” I said in a sultry voice. “You look awfully edible this afternoon.”
His cheeks bloomed pink, and he smiled. He set the drink on the side for the server to pick up and leaned down to speak softly to me. “Are you offering?”
I let out a low groan. “Not fair,” I whispered. “I still have five hours left of my shift.”
We both sighed and said at the same time, “My sister called…”
“No way!” I whispered-shouted.
“Way,” he acknowledged ruefully. “Allie asked me, well, us really, to watch Cody tonight while she and Marissa go to a concert at Wonder Bar.” He nudged me with his arm. “What about yours?”
“Isabella told me my parents want to meet with me tonight ‘to clear the air.’”
“What’s with the air quotes?” Zach asked.
“Usually, that means they want me to apologize,” I said. “Isabella insists that’s not the case.” I shrugged. “We’ll see. Anyway, I told them to come to our place. They wanted to take me out to dinner, likely so I wouldn’t make a scene. I want home-field advantage.” I took hold of his hand. “And I want you there with me as backup.”
Zach raised my hand to his lips. “Always.”
Another server came over with a drink order. He rolled his eyes. “You two give me a toothache.”
I reluctantly let go of Zach’s hand. “So it looks like we have Cody and my parents coming over.”
Zach looked at the list the server left. “You might as well tell your sister to come and bring her kids. That way, Cody will be occupied and won’t be clamoring for your attention.”
I nodded. “Good idea.”
He started working on the drink order. “I’ll have to go home and then come back to get you. I’ll make sure the place is clean for your parents’ visit.”
Warmth filled my chest. Albert had been right. I really had won the gay lottery. “Thanks, sweetheart. I’ll see you later.”
CHAPTERTHIRTY-SEVEN
ZACH
I stopped by Miguel’s office after my shift, and we came up with a plan for how to feed everyone with minimal hassle. He would get premade food from the restaurant kitchen to bring home and reheat. I would swing by the supermarket to get chicken nuggets, bagel bites, and mozzarella sticks for the kids. And juice boxes. Lots of juice boxes. Oh, and ice cream. Luckily, we had a Disney Plus subscription to entertain them.
I could tell Miguel was anxious about his upcoming conversation with his parents. I couldn’t blame him. They hadn’t been very understanding so far. I hoped Miguel having a boyfriend wouldn’t be a problem for them.
I got through the food shopping as quickly as possible so I could get home and clean. We’d definitely left clothes all over the place last night and had been too zombified to pick them up this morning.
By the time Allie dropped off Cody at six, I had picked up clothes, washed the dishes, and cleaned the bathroom. I met her downstairs so I could get Cody’s car seat from her car and put it in mine for when I had to pick up Miguel from work.
“Do you want to come up?” I asked after I got the car seat installed in my back seat. I picked up Cody so he wouldn’t wander off while we chatted.
Allie shook her head. “I’m meeting Marissa there early so we can get good seats.” She looked up at the old Victorian mansion that now housed four apartments, including ours. “You have such a nice place.” She sighed. “I wish Nico hadn’t been so stupid. Then maybe I would have a nice place and someone to share it with.”
She looked so sad I pulled her into a one-armed hug. “I know it’s been hard for you. And you know I’ll help you out as much as I can. My new job pays better, and I have some extra money I got for moving out early.”
She shook her head vehemently. “No more, Zach. You have paid for so much for me and Cody. I don’t want to take anything else from you. I’m tired of being a burden instead of a sister.”
“Never.” I kissed her forehead. “You’re never a burden to me. I love you. I love Cody. We are family.”
“What little is functional,” she muttered.
I shrugged. “We might be a little broken, but we’re still okay.”
She gave me a watery smile. “Yeah, I guess we are.”
