Zack takes a sip of his coffee as he sits down in the chair across from me, his face still unreadable. He takes a hand and scrubs it through his hair, scratching for a moment at the back of his head while he glances out the window as if best contemplating how to begin. My heart starts hammering with apprehension.
Finally, he drops his hand, leans forward to rest his elbows on the table, and pins me with a direct look. "Um...listen...I'm going to put the house up for sale."
I blink in surprise at him and a tiny "Oh" pops free from my mouth.
"I need a fresh start," he says quietly as his gaze drops to his cup, where he fiddles with the handle. He seems to be at a loss for words, so I simply say, "Of course you do."
He raises his gaze up to mine and I see relief in his eyes. "You don't think it's..."
His voice drifts away, unsure of how to say it.
But I know what he's trying to say, and since I'm not one to hold back, I supply for him, "Too soon?"
More relief filters into his gaze, and his shoulders actually raise a little, as if a weight has been lifted. "I feel guilty. Gina loved this house."
"And she's gone," I point out gently.
He nods in agreement, now letting out a sigh of easement. "People may not understand."
"You're not accountable to anyone but yourself and Ben," I assure him. It's the God's honest truth and he needs to hear that.
"You know why I'm telling you this?" he asks suddenly, his eyes intensely focused on me.
I shake my head, because honestly, I'm dumbfounded that he's showing me his vulnerability. That's not typical of a man, much less Zack Grantham.
"I've only known you for a few weeks, but I know this...you'd tell it to me straight. I knew you wouldn't pull any punches, and if I was doing something wrong, you'd tell me."
"That I would," I say with a smile, warmed thoroughly by this, because it means he respects that about me. My candor and in-your-face honesty sometimes puts people off. I've found, in life, many people just don't want to hear the truth.
"I also need your help," he tells me. "It's not part of your duties, so if you don't want to, I'd understand, but with me traveling...it's going to be hard to meet with the real estate agent and be available for showings. I'm going to need to get some stuff cleaned out of the attic, maybe paint a few rooms."
"I can help," I assure him. "Not a problem."
Full solace now filters over his face, and he gives me a grateful smile. "Thanks. I'll try to get an agent under contract as soon as I can, but it will probably be next week. But maybe we can work Sunday on clearing some stuff out and starting to get the house in shape."
"Sounds good," I say as I stand from the table. "And do you want some breakfast? I made some scrambled eggs and toast for Ben this morning. I can whip some up for you too."
"Sure," he says, leaning back again in his chair, now seemingly completely at ease and relaxed. The decision on this house must have been weighing heavy on him.
"So where will you go? Will you buy something new or rent?" I ask as I pull the eggs out of the fridge.
Zack stands from the table and walks around the kitchen island, brushes by me, and grabs the bag of bread from the counter. "I'll help," he says as he pulls four pieces out and puts them in the toaster. "And I'm not sure. Farther away from town, I think. I'd like a bit more land. It's too crowded in neighborhoods like this."
"And Ben can get his dog he talks about almost every day," I point out as I pull a bowl from the cupboard and start cracking eggs into it.
Zack laughs as he tries to step around me to get to the bottom cupboard that houses the frying pans. His hand comes out and brushes against my back, then presses in. His other hand comes to my waist and he physically, but gently, pushes me to the side. "Move over a bit so I can get the pan," he says nonchalantly.
I, on the other hand, practically melt into a puddle of goo just from that innocent touch to move me out of the way. His hands fall away quickly and he bends over to pull a pan from the cupboard, then just as efficiently stands and turns toward the stove.
I stand there frozen, my hand poised to crack an egg on the edge of the bowl. How is it possible that such a brief touch from this man causes my brain to go wonky and my blood to zing through my body? I've never felt anything quite like that before, and now I wonder...what would it feel like if he touched me elsewhere? Like his lips to mine? Or what if he cupped my breast?
A violent shudder ripples down my spine and goose bumps break out on my arms, which are thankfully covered by my long-sleeved T-shirt.
"I'm definitely getting a dog for Ben once we move," Zack says. "Maybe a golden retriever. That's what I had growing up."
Blinking my eyes, I turn to look at him. "Huh?"
"A dog...like you said," he says with a mischievous smile. Or was that a knowing smile? Does he know how much that brief touch affected me? My cheeks turn red with embarrassment that he might.
"That would be great," I say with a forced smile and turn around to crack a few more eggs into the bowl. Zack has a huge appetite and he also has a game tonight, so I know he'll want to load up on as much protein as possible.
"I'm going to take Ben out to Red Robin for a burger for lunch. He's been pestering me for weeks to go there. Want to come?" Zack asks, and my hands start shaking slightly.
Is he asking me to come as the nanny? Or just to come as a...um...a friend? A potential lover?
Stop it, Kate!
Clearing my throat, I throw the last of the eggshells into the garbage and start beating the eggs. "Actually, I think I'll pass. I've got a few errands to run myself today."
I need to maintain my distance from Zack, and so I resolve that unless it specifically revolves around caring for Ben, I'm going to step back and put some space between us.
"No prob," Zack says, and I hear him walking back over to the kitchen table, sliding the chair out, and sitting down again. "Oh, and Ben wants to go to the game tonight, so if you're up for it, do you mind?"
The tension in my shoulders relaxes marginally, and I actually get a gurgle of excitement in my stomach. This time I'd get to see Zack play live. "Of course I don't mind. Anytime you want me to go to a hockey game, you just have to snap your fingers and I'll come a-jumping."
"Cool," he says with a chuckle. "I'm actually going to have you two ride with me, so you'll need to be ready to leave by about four thirty P.M. I don't want you and Ben braving the crowds alone."
That surprises me, so I turn my head to face him. "Why's that?"
Zack gives me a look that's firm with resolve. "Call it an overprotective-dad thing--you two can relax in the family lounge until the game is ready to start."
"Do you not trust me with Ben outside of this house?" I ask curiously...okay, maybe a bit defensively.
Giving me a chastising look, Zack says, "You know I do."
"Then why can't I just come later with Ben--" I start to argue even as Zack's eyes are narrowing at me, when we both hear Michelle calling from the front of the house, "Yoo-hoo. Anyone home?"
"Fuck," Zack mutters, and rubs the bridge of his nose. "I really need to get those locks changed."
I forget all about our argument and can't help the giggle that comes out. He muttered that same curse the last time she barged into his house, explaining to me later that she and Gina had exchanged house keys at one point and he wasn't sure how to ask her for it back. He had resolved to just get the locks changed and let that message speak for itself when she tried to come into the house uninvited again.
"I'll call a locksmith later today," I whisper toward Zack just as Michelle comes tottering into the kitchen in black leggings, an off-the-shoulder black sweater, and red five-inch-high heels. Zack shoots me a grateful smile and then squares his shoulders as Michelle ignores me and heads straight toward the kitchen table. She sits down facing Zack, her back to me.
"Just thought I'd check in on you and Ben, see how you're doing," she chitters as she pats his forearm, then strokes it.
I roll my eyes, and on the downward swing I see Zack cut me a quick but panicked look. He then turns his gaze to her while slowly moving his arm from her grasp. "We're great," he says with a smile. "And actually...getting ready to head out for the day."
Leaning over to look at me past Michelle's shoulder, he says, "You mind going to get Ben ready for me, Kate?"
Michelle turns in her chair and glares at me.
I know Zack isn't anywhere near ready to leave the house to take Ben out, seeing as how I haven't even cooked his eggs for breakfast yet and he's still in his pajamas. But he's desperately trying to get rid of Michelle.
"Um...yeah," I say quickly. "I can...um...cook these eggs I just whipped up for myself later."
I quickly rinse my hands, give them a pat with a kitchen towel, and head around the island for the back staircase. As I pass by the kitchen table, I try to avert my gaze from Zack, as I'm afraid I might bust out laughing over how uncomfortable Michelle makes him.
"I was thinking," Michelle says in a syrupy-sweet voice, "I know you're in town this weekend. Want to take Ben and Beau to a movie with me on Sunday? A matinee or something. It would do you good to get out of the house some more."