“She certainly challenges me.” Always in a good way. She made him want to be better. Do better.
“And she’s smart. Probably smart enough not to fall for you.” Ollie handed him the cue chalk.
You’re growing on me, Golden Boy.Ava’s words tripped through his head. He lined up a shot as the memory of their kiss popped into his mind. The cue ball went sailing off the table.
“Wow.” Ollie crossed his arms. “You really are a goner.”
“Fine. I like Ava.” He chased after the ball, which had come to rest at Tommy’s foot. Zach shot the fire chief a smile, then took the walk of shame back to the pool table. “She’s smart, she’s driven, she’s super talented. What’s not to like?”
“Plus, she’s a blonde, which has always been your thing.”
Something roared in him. “Watch it.”
Ollie held up his hands. “I’m just saying…”
Zach sighed. “No. You’re right. I’ll see her in Chicago, and we can talk through things.” Saying the words made his heart pound a little harder. Maybe going back to the city wouldn’t be so terrible after all.
“Dude. She’s not going to be in Chicago. She’s moving here. To Jonathon Island.” Ollie put two more balls in the pockets.
“Since when?”
“Since Mia has been showing her properties here. Dani told me.”
“What about her job?” She loved her job.
“I dunno what to tell you. Maybe you should call and ask her. But you definitely should figure out how you feel about her first. This push-me, pull-you, back-and-forth of trying to forgive her isn’t fair. To her or to you.” Ollie tapped the black ball into the farthest pocket. “I’m going to grab our burgers. Loser racks.”
Ollie’s words echoed in Zach’s mind, low and steady, settling into the spaces left behind by the conversation he’d had with his dad earlier in the kitchen—a conversation that had cracked something open deep inside him. His shoulders relaxed. The memories that once stung like fresh wounds, now examined with the light of truth, had lost their power. Zach stared at the floor, his breath catching as if his body was trying to catch up with what his heart already knew.
He takes our bad situations and works them for the good of those who love Him,Uncle Bryan had said. Something insidehim unlatched, as if an invisible chain had finally broken loose. His heart whispered a thanks to God for leading him to the truth.
Later, after burgers and another two games of pool, Zach parted with Ollie, who had some bookkeeping to do in the store. He made his way to the silent apartment and sat on the edge of the couch.
“I forgive you,” he said to the empty room. He would say it to Ava later too, when he could get his thoughts together, but it felt right to do it out loud now. A wave of peace rolled over him. He had far to go, but Uncle Bryan was right.
Forgiveness could be simple, and so could love.
Chapter Seventeen
This must be a dream.
Ava blinked at her email. She’d ignored her computer the past few days and had planned to continue doing so, but her editor had texted her to answer an urgent message. Her final article on Jonathon Island needed some edits. The series of articles had run for the past few days, but Ava tried to forget all about them.
She groaned. The last thing she wanted was to think about her time on Jonathon Island or anyone from there. She’d already sworn off doing anything in the Chicago Loop where Escargot was located. At least until she found a way to talk to Zach and explain how she felt. The text messages she’d sent him had gone unanswered. Maybe he would never let her explain.
Below the notes from her editor, a message from Mia popped up. Subject line: Who’s your favorite Realtor?
She hesitated with her finger over the read button. Did she really want to know about property for sale on Jonathon Island? Was she brave enough to get her hopes up again? She fingered the edge of the couch cushion under her. Her fingertip found a frayed piece, and she worried at it. The beige cushion matched the beige carpet.
A longing for more, for an adventure, for a home she could love swept over her. She needed to move out of this apartment.
Her grandma’s words echoed in her mind.You can go anywhere. I’ll be moving to Arizona at the end of the month.Between her grandma moving and Emily leaving for Los Angeles, there was nothing keeping her here in Chicago. She pictured Zach, his chef’s whites rolled to his elbows, showing her how to chop an onion in the kitchen at Escargot. She pushed the thought away. She didn’t know where they even stood, or what their relationship would look like after she talked to him.
She tapped the mouse to open Mia’s email.
Ava,
A bungalow here on island came up for sale. The owners heard about your letter (I know, small town), and they wanted to offer it to you first. They liked what you had to say about looking for a place with roots to call home.
