“Sure,” Zadie said. “Though I’m surprised you haven’t found it yourself. I guess you haven’t been looking?”
“No, not really.” Zara threw her hand out toward the landscape in front of us. “You know, with all this, I haven’t put much thought into returning to an office. But I need to. I’ll definitely check out the listing when you send it.”
With every word they exchanged, my stomach dropped. I’d known this was coming. It never left my mind. But the reality of Zara applying for a job that would take her away was a lot different than only the looming possibility.
They talked for a few more minutes while I listened. I liked how tight Zara was with her family. They had an easy, close relationship that reminded me of mine with my parents. Though she didn’t tell them anything about Jackson and the PI. I figured it was as much for his protection as it was for her parents’.
Her dad might’ve been kind and gentle with his kids and wife, but I’d heard things about his past and had a feeling he would not let Jackson’s actions stand if he were made aware of them.
They said goodbye, and Zara tossed her phone down on the blanket. She twisted around to look at me, her mouth pressed into a line.
“You’re quiet.”
“I was listening.” I brushed her hair off her face and dragged my fingertips along her cheek. “They miss you.”
“I miss them too. After I left Jackson, I spent a lot of time with them. My mom and I went for daily walks, and my dad stopped by my apartment nearly every day with something he’dfound for my place or tools to fix something that wasn’t broken.” Her heavy exhale made her shoulders roll forward. “Things were such a mess between Jackson and me for so long. I’d stopped talking to them as much. Not completely. They would’ve never allowed that. But I didn’t tell them anything real. I was embarrassed by the choices I’d made, and I…well, that’s a big reason I miss them so much now. It’s been years since I’ve let myself be close to them.”
“I never would have guessed.”
“That’s the point. I was really good at hiding.” She tucked her face into my neck, her breath warm. “And I was miserable. I don’t want to ever do that again. If I can’t live honestly, then I know I’m doing something wrong and will make it right.”
“That sounds like a good plan to me.”
“We’ll see. So much is up in the air. At least I have a lead on a job.”
“There’s that.”
She raised her head, her eyes narrowed. “You sound grouchy. What’s that about?”
Taking a page out of her book, I went for honesty. “Thinking about you leaving at the end of next month doesn’t make me the happiest.”
“Yeah…” she breathed. “I guess that’s why I’m trying not to think about it. I want to enjoy every minute of the time I have here.”
“I want that too.”
She brought her hands to my face, smooshing my cheeks. “You’re cute even when you’re frowning. Maybe cuter, since it’s such a rare sight.”
I groaned, yanking her against me. “Didn’t I tell you to stop calling me cute?”
Squealing, she grabbed my hair like reins. “If you did, I didn’t hear it. If you say it again, I’m not going to listen.”
Despite the deep pit in my gut, I had to laugh. “You’re a hopeless case.”
“And you’re adorable.” She tugged my head back and started kissing all over my face. “So, so cute. I could eat your nose and chin for breakfast.”
“Only my nose and chin?”
Her lips landed on my temple then my eyebrow. “I’d eat the other parts for lunch and dinner.” She caught my cheekbone and the tip of my nose. “I love your face. And your ears. And your hair.”
“So much you want to eat it.”
“Mmmhmm.” Her lips grazed mine. “Am I weirding you out?”
“Nope.” I ran my fingers through the sides of her hair, pulling her face away from mine. Her eyelids fluttered open, and a slow smile split her lips. I smiled back. I couldn’t help it. “I know you, Zara. I don’t think there’s anything you could do or say that I’d find weird.”
“Even when I want to eat your face?”
“Even then.” I chuckled lightly. “Gotta admit, I never considered I’d hear you say that, but it’s kind of…sweet.”
