We walked in and Zach looked around. I was guessing he was looking for his roommate. He turned and looked into my eyes. I let out a small gasp when he quickly pushed me against the door.
“Lib, I want to kiss you.”
My breathing increased and I slowly smiled. “I’m not stopping you.”
Zach leaned down and gently kissed my lips. I moved my hand to the base of his neck and pulled him in more so he would deepen the kiss. His tongue ran along my lips and I opened up to him. His coffee and my tea mixed together as we got lost in the kiss.
Zach pulled away and rested his head against my head. “Libby, you have no idea how beautiful you are, do you?”
I closed my eyes and a memory of Luke instantly invaded my mind.
I WAS LEANING against the tree gasping for air. Luke and I had been paired up against Colt and Grace in the scavenger hunt.
“Did … you … get … the … plate?” Luke asked in between breaths. I smiled as I held up the sterling silver platter that had sat in Gunner and Ellie’s china cabinet. Luke had distracted Ellie while I snuck into their formal dining room and took the plate. I had walked into the kitchen and gave him a look and quickly walked out the back door as I yelled good-bye to Ellie. The moment the door shut I took off running.
The smile that spread across Luke’s face caused me to laugh. “Damn girl!” He grabbed me and pulled me to him as he picked me and spun me around. When he finally put me back down my body was screaming all kinds of weird stuff. I loved being in his arms. I loved him touching me. I loved … him.
Luke reached over and took a curl that hung down in front of my eyes. He tucked it behind my ear as he whispered, “You have no idea how beautiful you are, do you?”
“LIBBY? ARE YOU okay?”
Zach’s voice pulled me out of my memory. I smiled and nodded my head. “Yes, I’m sorry. I mean, thank you for the compliment. Sorry, I got lost in thought.”
Zach tilted his head. I knew he wanted to ask me what I had been thinking about b
ut he didn’t. “Let me go change.”
“Okay. I’ll be right here. Waiting. Um … here.” I rolled my eyes and looked away when he chuckled. I wasn’t sure why I felt so nervous. I guess it was being alone in his room with him that had me on edge.
Two minutes later he came walking out in jeans and a black shirt.
He reached for my hand and we headed to the restaurant.
The drive to the Saltgrass was lighthearted and fun. Zach had a wonderful sense of humor, but it was nothing like Luke’s.
Ugh. Stop comparing him to Luke, Libby!
We walked in and the hostess pointed in the direction of where everyone was sitting. Zach leaned over and whispered in my ear, “I hope your brother likes me.”
I glanced over at him and winked. “He’s going to like you. Stop worrying.”
As we walked up to the table, my smile quickly vanished when I saw Luke sitting there. I snapped my eyes over to Alex who mouthed, sorry.
I looked back at Luke and he mumbled something. I forced a smile and looked at Will. “Hey y’all. Um … Zach, this is my brother, Will and next to Will is my best friend, Alex.” Zach reached out and shook Will’s hand and then Alex’s hand.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you both. I’ve heard so much about the both of you.”
Smiling, I turned to Grace. “This is my other best friend, Grace.”
“Grace, it’s a real pleasure. Lib has talked a lot about you.”
I immediately saw Luke tense up. He looked pissed. Luke had been the first person to start calling me Lib. He was the only guy who ever called me that, besides Will.
Swallowing hard, I turned to face Luke. “Um … Zach, this is, um … Luke. Luke and Grace are brother and sister.”
Luke reached out his hand and shook Zach’s. Zach was about to talk when Luke started talking.
“Hey there, Zach. So, how long have y’all been dating?”