I shrug. “I don’t know. I haven’t asked.”
Honestly, I don’t really want to think about him having to move out. I like sharing the space with him now.
“What about when you go back to Nashville?” Grace’s tone is gentle now, as if she’s being careful not to upset me with her questions. “What will you guys do then?”
I can understand why she’s asking me this, and I can appreciate her concern. I’ve never done long distance before, and I really have no idea how it would work. Yeah, we’re both from Nashville, but he’s going to continue to be in Denver for the foreseeable future while he’s playing for the Night Hawks.
Part of me is pretty confident that Zander would willingly travel back and forth if what we have is as important to him as he makes it seem.
“We’ll figure it out,” I tell Grace with a small grin. “Crazier relationships have worked out before, you know.”
I give her a pointed look and she chuckles and nods. “Okay, okay. Point taken.”
My phone suddenly buzzes and I turn to dig it out of my purse, thinking it could be Zander. When I see that it’s a notification from Cloak, I quickly open it and see a new message fromGlideControlZ.
GlideControlZ: Good luck with your date tonight! Really hope all goes well for you!
I feel a tender flutter in my chest and can’t help but gush a little at how supportive and encouraging he’s being. When I told him about my date earlier this week, he was excited for me, and that meant a lot. I really like that we’re able to continue to be friends even though neither of us are interested in pursuing anything further romantically.
ClickTease: Thanks! I’m really excited!
BeforeGlideControlZresponds, there’s a loud knock on the apartment’s front door. Eyes wide and heart pounding, I whirl to face Grace who is beaming with excitement herself.
“Come on!” She grabs my hand and pulls me out of the bedroom and down the hall to the large entryway. She stops and turns to face me, fussing with my hair and dress like an actual mom.
More knocking as me flapping my hands to shoo her away from me.
“The door!” I insist. “I don’t want him to think we’re ignoring him.”
“Oh, it’s good for him to sweat a bit,” Grace teases. “Truth be told, Jensen really wanted to be here to play the overprotective dad interrogating his daughter’s date, but Tyler’s in town and the two went to a Nuggets game together. So I’ll have to be the overprotective parent myself.”
“Good Lord,” I grumble, rolling my eyes. It’s a little weird that I haven’t thought about Tyler since the wedding.
God, I’m so glad he ditched me that night and left me in Zander’s care. This night might not be happening otherwise.
Grace finally moves to open the door and let Zander in.
He’s dressed in dark jeans and a navy blue button up shirt. His beard is trimmed and his hair combed and styled. He looks like he walked right off the cover of GQ.
“Hey, Grace,” he greets her, stepping through the door. “I’m here to get Rylee… ”
His words trail off when he catches sight of me. His eyes go wide and his lips part as he stares at me. My cheeks heat and I feel suddenly shy under his hot, intense stare.
“Zander, you’re being weird,” I chuckle, dropping my gaze bashfully. “Stop staring.”
The corner of his mouth quirks up into that crooked little grin I’ve come to love so much.
“I can’t help myself,” he replies. “You’re gorgeous, Wildcard.”
My blush deepens. “Thanks… you don’t look so bad yourself.”
Grace looks between us with a knowing grin. “Okay, well, you two better get going. Have fun now.”
I scowl at her. “All right,Mom. We’ll head out.”
“You two kids have fun,” Grace teases as I hurry toward Zander. “Have her home by ten, young man.”
Zander lets out a bark of laughter as he places his hand on the small of my back like it’s the most natural gesture in the world.
