Chapter 19
“Y ou’re distracted by that moving business.”
Zack stared at Gina, who sat one sofa away in her living room.
She toyed with a piece from the checkerboard and wouldn’t look at him. “Are you asking or telling me?”
Her smile wasn’t as bright as it had been a moment ago, and Zack wavered between being considerate and satisfying the need to understand what was bugging her.
She’d only told him about Nichelle’s demand for their business space on Friday. Today was Saturday and nearly impossible for her to do anything about moving with the holidays coming next week.
He chuckled and slapped his legs. “Luca has won so many times, anybody with two eyes can see your head isn’t in the game.”
Luca had decided it was time for ice cream, so they abandoned the checkerboard. He and Seya disappeared into the kitchen, and from the racket, Zack guessed they were using a fair number of dishes, plates, and cutlery as they prepared dessert. Gina had offered to help, but Seya insisted she stay and entertain Zack.
Her invitation to dinner had surprised him, and he wondered if it was to thank him for helping on Thursday, to let him down gently, or gauge his interest in having dinner with her family. Thinking back, she hadn’t exactly said yes or no to his invitation to spend Christmas with him.
As he suspected, Gina was a superb cook. She’d served tender curried mutton that melted in his mouth, with rice and peas and a salad. During dinner, he didn’t need to say much, but listened as the sisters exchanged small talk about work and the holidays.
Each time Seya mentioned Gina’s office situation, she changed the subject.
When Gina wasn’t gently correcting Luca about talking with food in his mouth, the boy rehashed tales of his evening spent with Lizette.
“He has an old soul,” she’d said when Gina asked Luca to gather his things from the sofa at the end of the evening. “And he’s forthright. Says exactly what he means.”
“His dad was like that,” Gina murmured, as she watched him.
Now, Zack’s mind drifted to the man who’d been her husband and the one she’d been seeing before him. No photos or mementos in her living space pointed to the man she’d married.
Boyd was no competition, but Zack wasn’t certain how he compared with Luca’s dad. Not that he needed to measure up to anyone.
He was his own man, courting a woman he fully intended to make a future with, if she’d have him. He wasn’t certain they’d get to that point unless she stopped blocking him. Gina was used to her independence and clung fiercely to the idea of solving her own problems.
When he caught her watching him, Zack smiled. He was here and Boyd wasn’t. That was reason enough to be thankful. Plus, he had plans for them he hadn’t told Gina about.
Now that she’d given their relationship the green light, he intended to shower her with everything she deserved. If she let him.
Another round of clatter came from the kitchen, which brought him back to the matter under discussion. “Thank you for sharing your moving issue with me.”
When her gaze rested on him, he said, “You didn’t have to tell me, but I’m glad you did.”
“Why?”
“You strike me as extremely independent.” He shifted one piece on the checkerboard to the middle of its square. “So, it must have cost you something ... a lot, in fact, to even mention it.”
“Put it down to that intensity you’ve mentioned before. You didn’t ask, but the way you looked at me said you knew something was wrong.” She breathed in deeply and exhaled softly. “I figured you’d ask, anyway.”
“I know accepting help may be a challenge, but—”
Gina pulled her head back in mock surprise. “Whoever told you that?”
They laughed, but the way Gina lowered her gaze confirmed the truth in his words.
Shaking his head, Zack quipped, “I don’t know where I could have gotten that idea.”
“Seriously, though ...” She patted his hand that rested on his thigh. “I’ll work it out.”
“I could ...”
Gina moved her head from side to side and tipped her chin higher. “Thanks, but I prefer doing this on my own.”
With both hands raised, Zack said, “I get it, I think.”
He sighed when she withdrew her hand, thinking he should be grateful that Gina wanted to handle her business. Yet, frustration gnawed at him.
Fact was, he’d been about to offer to let her use a container storage space in his parents’ warehouse, but her response killed the urge. Added to that, she refused before he stated the offer. His gaze went to the winking lights on the tree and the good cheer he’d been feeling until Gina’s problem surfaced slid away and left him deflated.
He didn’t want to give the impression he was trying to take over her life, but his instinct was to help, just because. What kind of man would stand by and watch her struggle when he had answers that could help the situation?
“By the way,” he said, “We still have to get my guy to fix your bumper.”
“That’s looking more and more like it will be after the holidays.”
“Whenever you’re ready is fine with me.”
Seya and Luca came into the room carrying trays with dessert for everyone. A wide smile covered Luca’s face as he served Gina a bowl of ice cream and laid a saucer with cake next to the checkerboard on the center table. He backed away and bowed. “I fixed that for you, Mommy.”
“Thanks, hon.” Gina patted the cushion for Luca to sit, and he launched himself onto the sofa, then accepted the small tray Seya placed on his lap.
Gina’s doting expression made Zack want to have that look turned on him. While he ate pistachio ice cream and savored the dark fruit cake with just the right amount of rum, his gaze went to Gina, who pulled in a deep breath at that moment.
Her lackluster smile pained him, and he swallowed hard at the realization that made his heart pound as if he’d been running a marathon. Despite his mishap with Alana, he’d walked into Gina’s path with his heart wide open.
He focused on Gina, who stared at the bowl in her hands. Then his gaze went to Luca, whose mouth was messy with ice cream. His enjoyment pulled a grin from Zack, whose attention shifted to Seya. Her serious expression morphed into a smile. She winked and mouthed, “Be patient.”
He nodded to acknowledge Seya, then smiled warmly at Gina. One thing was certain—he loved Regina Wright with everything in him. A sane man wouldn’t put himself in front of a freight train, but that was exactly what he’d done, falling for her.
Zack couldn’t do anything less than care for her the best way he knew how, but Gina didn’t want him or anyone else to assume that responsibility. She was stuck on doing things for herself.
Until she opened her heart and life enough to realize she didn’t have to do it all, Gina wouldn’t allow herself to be vulnerable enough to need anyone.
When Luca snuggled against Gina’s arm, dozing, Zack knew it was time to go.
Seya rose and beckoned to Luca. “Come, sugar plum. Let’s get you cleaned up.”
“Bye, Uncle Zack,” he mumbled as he stretched.
“Good night, Luca.”
“Give me a moment,” Gina said, gathering the plates and dishes. She went to the kitchen, carrying the stacked trays, then returned to the living room.
Zack stood and gripped her arms. “Thanks for having me over.”
Tipping her head back, Gina rested both hands on his chest. “Aren’t we past that kind of politeness yet?”
He let a few seconds pass before he spoke. “I’d think so, too, except for the times you keep me at arm’s length.”
Gina stepped back and folded both arms across her chest. “I know you’re talking about me moving, but you should also respect my wishes.”
“Trust me, Gina, I’m doing exactly that. I’d never force myself where I’m not wanted.”
She winced and shuffled her feet. “It’s not like that.”
“It’s exactly like that.” He chuckled, a bitter sound he hoped Gina wouldn’t read as such. “You accept help on your terms and that’s fine.”
“I’m sorry if I’ve offended you.”
He touched her cheek and pulled her closer. His heart sank again, but he chose not to offer any platitude. Instead, he placed soft kisses on her lips.
A few seconds went by before she responded. Her arms slid around his neck and he held on to her waist to anchor her in position while they exchanged a mind-numbing kiss. He forgot where they stood until Luca’s high-pitched voice plummeted him back to earth. “I thought you went home.”
“I’m leaving now.” Zack stepped away from Gina, who released him and faced Luca.
The boy walked farther into the room, ready for bed, in pajamas and a Santa hat slanted at a jaunty angle. Luca rested both hands on his narrow hips as he asked, “Uncle Zack, are you going to be my daddy?”