As I walk toward the bar, my fingers curl in tight to my palms and I itch to clock the fucker who is encroaching on Kate. When I reach them, I lean in and stick my arm right between them, intent on grabbing my glass of beer sitting next to a glass of red wine that Kate has ordered for herself.
“Excuse me,” I say by way of announcing my arrival.
“Zack,” Kate says enthusiastically as she smiles up at me. “This is Gregory. He’s a fireman and EMT, and actually works some of the games at the arena.”
I cut a glance over at the fucker and his hand sticks out toward me. “Man…can’t believe I’m meeting Zack Grantham.”
Switching my beer from my right to my left hand, I give him a handshake and a half-assed attempt at a nice smile. “Nice to meet you.”
Then the guy, most chivalrously, turns to hold his hand out to Kate. She takes his, and he ends up covering her hand with both of his. “Well, it was a pleasure meeting you, Kate. Hope you have a great birthday and enjoy the wine.”
“Thank you,” she says sweetly, her cheeks turning a bit pink.
As the dude is leaving, someone taps me on the shoulder and I turn to find the hostess behind me. “Your table is ready, Mr. Grantham.”
Kate hops off her stool and hands me my credit card. “Gregory bought both of our drinks.”
“Figures,” I mutter as I pocket the card and watch as Kate grabs her wineglass. I shoot a glance over to Gregory as he sits across the bar watching Kate hungrily. Then his eyes connect with mine and he tilts his head up in an acknowledging nod. I hold my beer up and nod back at him, giving him silent thanks for it.
Fucker.
Kate and I follow the hostess back and she seats us in a small round booth that’s clearly designed for two people to share a romantic dinner while they sit side by side. Kate slides in and I follow right behind, the fit so tight, my knee bumps along the side of hers. She doesn’t acknowledge the touch, but fuck if I don’t feel it rocket straight through my body.
We peruse the menu briefly, discuss our choices, and only after the waiter takes our order do I try to relax a bit.
Except I can’t help it when I say, “So…didn’t take Gregory long to hit on you while I was gone. He must have been lurking.”
Kate snorts as she takes her glasses off and puts them back in her purse. She doesn’t wear her glasses all the time, I notice now…only when she needs them to read. “I doubt it. He just seems like a nice guy.”
I’m the one who snorts. “Seriously…you can’t be that naïve?”
Cocking an eyebrow at me, Kate makes a grand sweeping gesture with her hand. “By all means…educate me.”
I pick up my beer and take a sip, looking at her over the edge of the glass. She’s fucking stunning, and I also think she might be enjoying whatever this is.
Jealous?
Surely not.
“Okay…a guy that buys a girl a drink at the bar is hitting on her,” I tell her simply.
“He bought you a drink too,” she points out.
“But he was eyeing you like you were a piece of juicy candy,” I retort.
“Whatever,” she says dismissively. “Guys don’t look at me like that.”
“You’re wrong about that,” I tell her firmly.
I sure as fuck look at you like that.
All the damn time.
“Boring,” she says with an exaggerated yawn. “Let’s talk about something more exciting.”
I snicker and give her a nod of acquiescence. “Like what?”
“Like what’s the game plan for tomorrow?” she asks as her finger plays around the edge of her wineglass.
“Well, movers will be there at eight…they said it would take about three hours to load the entire house. Another couple hours to unload, so we can start unpacking a few things in the afternoon.”
Kate nods in agreement. “I’ve packed up a set of sheets and blankets for each of our beds and a few changes of clothing, plus some toiletries to get us by. We can order some pizza. It will be like camping out…in a new house.”
I laugh at her. “Fun times.”
“Are you excited?” she asks me with sincere interest.
The question gives me pause, because I’m not sure how I feel about it. I’ve been so busy with playing hockey, buying a new house, and packing that I haven’t had time to process. But Kate’s making me do it now.
And for the first time since Gina died, I reveal a bit of the Zack Grantham that was left behind.
“I’m a bit sad,” I tell her truthfully, and her eyes go warm and understanding. “There’s a lot of memories there I built with Gina and Ben. I don’t doubt what I’m doing. I feel it’s the right thing to do, but I do regret that for me, leaving that house behind is what’s right for me. But I’m excited too…excited to watch Ben grow up in a great house that will just be ours. I think Gina would understand that.”
“I’m sure she would,” she tells me as her hand reaches out under the table and squeezes my knee reassuringly. It’s not a sexual move and lust doesn’t course through me at her touch, as would normally happen.
Instead I feel comfort and peace.
For the first time since the accident…mark that down on an event calendar.
“I feel good about the decision,” I affirm.
“No guilt?” she asks quietly. “Because you shouldn’t feel guilty about selling that house. You’re not leaving the memories behind. You take those with you. You’re just leaving the structure that held those memories temporarily.”