Zach raked a hand over his coarse jaw. He didn’t even recognize himself anymore.
Just as he stepped into the living room and spotted Brock on the floor playing with puppies and looking like a normal kid, the doorbell rang. Zach hated that instant look of fear in Brock’s eyes.
“I didn’t call the cops, if that’s what you’re jumpy about.” Zach crossed the space to the door. “I promised you’d be safe here, and you are.”
After breakfast, though, there would be some definite answers and some decisions to be made.
The second Zach jerked the door open, he regretted not looking out the glass side panels to see who the unexpected visitor was.
“Oh, you’re home.” Ms. Barkley stood on the other side with her hair all fluffed and sprayed as if blond teased-to-shit hair was a turn-on. Her blood-red lips tipped into a grin. “I was hoping I’d catch you before you went to work.”
Zach gripped the knob and shifted so she couldn’t see into the house. She didn’t take the hint and stepped up onto the threshold to peek over his shoulder.
“Oh, um, hello.”
Shifting back so he didn’t get pushed over by her cleverly exposed cleavage or knocked out by her dousing of musky perfume, Zach glanced over his shoulder to Brock.
“What brings you over this early?” he asked, turning his attention back to his blatant neighbor.
“What? Oh, well, I have a project I’d like priced.” She kept her gaze on Brock, most likely trying to figure out where the young boy fit in. “If you have time, I’d like to talk to you.”
Hadn’t they done this before? Couldn’t she set her sights on someone else—someone who actually showed interest?
“Right now I’m busy, but I can call later or send Nathan over. He’s the best worker I have.”
Her eyes darted over his shoulder. Zach knew who stood behind him. He resisted the urge to smile, especially after how Sophie had talked to his neighbor on the phone. This should be interesting.
“Breakfast is ready,” Sophie said, a smile in her tone. Zach couldn’t have planned her timing better. “Are we having an extra guest?”
Zach shook his head. “No. Just us, babe.” Turning back to his neighbor, who stood with her glossy lips parted in surprise, Zach said, “I’ll be sure to get in touch later and we can discuss details.”
As the neighbor stuttered incoherently, Zach ushered her right out the front door. As soon as he turned, he caught Sophie’s eye. The second she busted into laughter, he couldn’t hold back. Damn, that felt good to laugh, to share the experience with Sophie—even if it stemmed from something petty.
Seeing Sophie smiling, knowing they were having the same thoughts, only added to that special bond they shared. Another lock clicked into place . . . another layer added to their intimate, growing relationship.
“Did I miss something?” Brock asked, coming to his feet and glancing between Zach and Sophie.
“Just my neighbor, who likes to make her daily trips over for random questions. If she doesn’t stop by, she calls twice.” Zach pointed toward the hallway. “There’s a half bath in there. Go wash your hands and then come in and eat.”
Once Brock left, Zach followed Sophie into the kitchen. “I have a feeling she may not care so much about that deck anymore. Unless she had another phantom project she wanted done.”
“She thinks you’re cheating on her,” Sophie joked, still smiling. “She may call Braxton and have him console her.”
Zach wouldn’t put it past his brother to do just that, but whatever Braxton was dealing with and however he chose to battle his demons was none of Zach’s concern. And he sure as hell didn’t want to know about his neighbor and Braxton.
Sophie searched through two cabinets before she found his plates. She pulled two down and started dishing out some type of omelet with sausage. It smelled delicious.
“Where’s your plate?” he asked when she placed two on the island. “You’re joining us.”
Smoothing a hand down her silk top that she’d tucked perfectly into her green skirt, she shook her head. “I think it’s best if the two of you talk, and I have a feeling he’s not going to be too chatty with an audience.”
Brock stepped into the room and headed straight to the island. “I’m not too talkative with just one person, either. You can stay and eat.” He sat down and shoveled a forkful of food into his mouth and spoke around it. “I’m heading out after. Don’t let me interrupt whatever it is you guys do.”
As much as Zach would love the alone time with Sophie, he didn’t like the implication Brock was making. Had he been pushed aside before so whoever he lived with could be alone?
“Sit, Soph,” Zach ordered. He crossed the kitchen and pulled out another plate. “You made it, you’re eating.”
Without arguing, she took a seat next to Brock’s. Zach placed a plate in front of her, then poured three glasses of milk. Thankfully Sophie’s was still in good standing with the calendar.