“I have it.” She put her car in reverse. She bit at her top lip. If only they made this easier.
“I could be your guide,” Alex said.
Zoe stopped. She looked out her window again at him. He was alone? She shook her head. His date had to be waiting for him. She even spotted a few townspeople walking down the street. “What do you suggest?” She would hate to miss the cook off due to being unable to park her own car. That would be the talk of the town.
Alex stood on the sidewalk, using his hand to direct her. His smile reached his eyes. Was he laughing at her? Zoe put the car in park after following his directions. She then cut the engine and got out to meet him on the sidewalk.
“Nice job,” he said.
“I would have gotten it.” She adjusted the strap on her wristlet. She wouldn’t carry her purse around today.
“Sure you would have.” He winked at her.
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Shouldn’t you get back to your date?”
He raised an eyebrow. “What date?”
She looked around her. “I assumed you brought a date. Famous drummers like you must have dozens of women begging to be with you.”
“Not you though.” He stepped closer. “You’re not the type, right?” He licked his lips.
She focused her eyes on him, ignoring the flutters in her chest. “Correct.”
“You want to know what my type is?” he asked.
“I didn’t ask.”
He chuckled. “A woman who’s not afraid to speak her mind. I like it—a lot.”
Zoe should have walked away. Instead, she gazed into his eyes. His expression was soft, and he skimmed his fingers over his strong jawline. Zoe inhaled.
“Hey sis!”
She jerked and turned to see her brother walking hand in hand with Bailey. She hugged her brother, but not before noticing his face tighten. He’d made statements of Alex staying away from her. Zoe hoped he didn’t interfere. She could take care of herself.
“So glad you could come,” Bai
ley said as she hugged her.
“Me too. Are the steaks that good?” Zoe asked.
“The best. Let’s go.” Jackson wrapped an arm around her shoulder. Zoe didn’t dare to look back at Alex.
Chapter 10
Zoe thought he brought a date. Why would she assume that? Alex wrung his hands together. Of course she thought that. He didn’t give her a reason to believe otherwise.
His stomach growled at the smell of smoke from the hissing grill nearby. He passed a few townspeople eating off paper plates, waving to a few of them. Alex stared ahead, careful not to lose Zoe in the crowd. His hands moistened, and he wiped them on the front of his shirt. He needed a distraction. Where was his dad?
Alex moved through the crowd, spotting his father sitting in a lawn chair, talking with a few of their neighbors. As he focused his eyes on the group, he watched his father throw his head back in laughter. A woman sat next to him. Noelle’s aunt? Was she the woman his father was with the other night?
Alex paused. His dad had to be kidding. He wasn’t dating her. Was he? Judging by the way Noelle’s aunt placed her hand on top of his, it wasn’t just friendship between them. Alex moved closer.
His father turned to face him once he spotted his son. “There you are. I thought you changed your mind.”
Alex stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Can’t miss the town steak cook off.” His eyes diverted to Noelle’s aunt. “Ms. Johnson.”
She beamed a bright smile. “Alex, great to see you.”