Chapter 26
Hope
Zac strolls through the doors of Hawkins Bar and Grill with an energetic bounce in his step, excitement carrying him towards one of the tables by the window.
He’d been waiting all week to come back to this place, while my own nerves quietly grew as the day edged closer, most of them tied to the prospect of seeing Kaden again.
I hardly slept at all last night, my mind circling with thoughts of him. Ever since he offered to help Zac with his school project, and refunded every dollar for the garden bench he delivered just days earlier, he’s been impossible to push from my thoughts.
I’m still having a hard time wrapping my head around it. He’s technically still a stranger, someone I barely know, and yet here he is, handing out favours to someone he doesn’t owe a thing to.
No one has ever offered me that much of their time, effort, or money; not even my ex-husband would have done so unless obligation demanded it. But Kaden does it simply because he wants to, without expecting anything in return.
I follow Zac to the table and slide into the seat across from him. He’s all smiles, shifting restlessly in his chair, unable to keep still for more than a second. He kneels on the seat, craning his neck to take in the room, and no doubt searching for the waiter who’ll take our order.
“Sit on your bottom, Zac.”
“Can we order now?” he asks impatiently.
“Yes, we will in a minute. I just need to pick out what we’re getting first,” I say, reaching for the menu waiting on the table and skimming over it.
“I want fried zucchini flowers, salt and pepper calamari, and chocolate fudge cake.”
“That’s a lot fried food, Zac. You need some veggies, too.”
“Okay, I’ll have sweet corn and mash potatoes.”
“How about, I order the bowl of steaming veggies instead and we can share?”
“Fine. But only if I can have ice-cream on my fudge cake?”
Oh, my dear son. Always the negotiator, and master manipulator. I wonder where he gets that from?
“Let’s see how you’re feeling after the main meal first.”
He puckers his lips into a pout, letting out a sad little whine, but I don’t budge. He always wants all the fried and sugary things, only to pay for it with a sore tummy every time. This kid never learns.
I’m slowly studying the main course list when I feel a light tap on my shoulder. I half turn, just enough to get a good look at who’s behind me—and there he is, Kaden, standing confidently tall with that handsome grin of his.
My gaze roams over him, from his sharp jawline to the broad chest that presses against his soft grey sweater, down to the black jeans ripped at the knees, teasing just a hint of his strong, sculpted thighs.
I don’t know why it’s only now that I’m noticing just how striking Kaden is. When I first met him, I could see he was attractive in that conventional way, but it didn’t impress me, or even register, and not when I was filled with nervous tension.
Now, though, it’s different. There’s a deeper pull, one I can’t ignore, and I think it’s because there’s so much more to him than meets the eye.
He’s not just a handsome face with a killer body—he’s generous, funny, kind, and talented in ways that make you sit up and take notice.
He’s the total package, and maybe… just a little too far out of my league.
“Kaden, you’re here,” I say with a steady voice, even as my nerves thrum wildly beneath my skin.
“Yeah, I was already here to see Jason,” he says, nodding towards the busy bar, where the familiar dark-haired man is serving a customer. He flashes me a two-finger salute, and I lift my hand in a small wave in return.
“I saw you guys walk in and wanted to say hello,” he adds.
“Oh, well that’s nice of you. It’s good seeing you again.”
“You too.” He steps towards Zac, holding out a fist for a bump. “What’s up, Zac? How are you doing?”
Zac’s small fist connects gently with Kaden’s larger one. “Not much. We’re just having lunch. I’m starving,” he murmurs, rubbing his belly dramatically.
“I was just about to have a feed myself. I hear the fried zucchini flowers are the bomb here.” He winks at me, and my cheeks flush in response.
“That’s what I’m having!’ Zac beams. “Do you want to sit and have lunch with us?”
“I’d love to—only if it’s okay with your mum.” His gaze lifts to mine, a hint of shyness softening his features, as if my approval matters to him greatly.
“Of course you can join us.”
Zac pats the seat beside him. “Come sit with me, Kaden.”
“Happy too. Have you guys ordered already?” Kaden asks as he drops to his seat.
“No, but we’re about to,” Zac answers.
He turns to my son and narrows his eyes. “Let me guess, chocolate fudge cake for dessert?”
Zac nods, a little too excitedly. “Yeah, and if I eat all my veggies, Mum said I can have ice-cream with my cake.”
“I did not say that, thank you.”
“But you’re thinking about it, aren’t you?” he says, waggling his eyebrows.
Kaden shakes his head, a laugh escaping him at my son’s cheekiness.
“Nice try bud, but I’m glad to hear you eat all your veggies. Keep that up, you’ll have strong muscles popping out of you in no time.”
“Like you?”
“I don’t know,” Kaden says with a grin, curling his arm to flex his bicep. “What do you think?”
The casual display instantly draws my attention to his arm, appreciating the way it bulges tightly beneath his long sleeve. I have to quickly look away before he notices the blush colouring my face.
When I glance back, it’s just in time to see Zac poking a finger on Kaden’s bicep.
“They’re a lot bigger than my dad’s. If you arm wrestle with him, I reckon you’d break his arm.”
“You think so?” he says, and I don’t miss the faint smirk that flashes across his face.
“Yeah. But just don’t tell him that. He can be a bit of a sore loser.”
I let out a snort, and they both flick their gazes at me. “I’d have to agree with you on that one, son.”
The waiter arrives, and I order for Zac and myself, while Kaden orders a steak with chips and salad. We also add a jug of iced water, a peach iced tea, and a cola to the order.
As soon as the waiter leaves, my phone suddenly vibrates loudly against the table. When I flip it over, Adrian’s name glows on the screen, but I ignore it, setting it on the table facedown so I don’t have to see it again. I won’t let him ruin our day.
I glance up to see Kaden watching me, concern knitting his brows until it fades, replaced by a soft smile curving his mouth.
“How are you liking your new garden bench?” he asks.
“It’s just perfect. You’ve really outdone yourself, Kaden.”
“You’re still helping me with my project tomorrow, right?” Zac cuts in.
“Zac!” I bark, unimpressed by his demanding tone. I look over at Kaden who just chuckles. “I’m sorry about him. He seems to forget his manners sometimes.”
“That’s okay. I forget to bring mine too” he says as he glances back at my son. “And to answer your question, yes, I will come prepared.”
“Good,” is all my son says. I shake my head at him, fighting the urge to throw my napkin at his head. Kaden just smiles, looking entirely unbothered by my son’s lack of manners.
The waiter returns with our drinks, setting them carefully on the table.
I pour Zac a glass of iced water, then take a small sip of my peach iced tea, mindful not to fill up on it before the food arrives.
Kaden doesn’t touch his cola, nudging it aside instead, as he picks up his napkin and fidgets with its corners.
For a brief moment, no one speaks. Zac pores over the menu in front of him, while Kaden and I steal glances at each other, never quite holding the gaze. I let my eyes wander around the room, searching for a distraction, anything to avoid looking at him, but I feel his gaze on me the whole time.
“How long have you and Jason known each other?” I finally ask, unable to stand the awkward silence any longer.
“Since we were in preschool.”
“Wow. That’s a long time. Is he married, have kids?”
“He was married. He’s been divorced for some time. He has a son with his ex—Jake, a couple of years younger than Zac, and a baby girl, Isla, with his new fiancée,” he says, a soft, almost wistful smile flickering across his face.
“Are you close with her too?”
His expression wavers slightly, a quiet sadness shadowing his eyes. “I was, but not anymore… and it was all my fault.”
I want to press for more and ask him why, but by the way his shoulders slump, weighed down as if the thought of her is too heavy for him, I decide to let it go—for now.
Our waiter comes back, balancing trays of our food and placing them neatly on the table.
We start with a large plate of fried zucchini flowers, sharing it between us three.
As we eat, conversation flows naturally around the table— Zac’s school, how I’m going at work, how he’s managing his projects, the ordinary details that fill our days.
By the time our plates are empty, an hour has passed in what feels like a blink.
“Well, I don’t know about you guys, but I feel like a stuffed chicken,” Kaden murmurs, patting his stomach, which juts out slightly after all the food he’s devoured.
Right on cue, Zac lets out a loud burp, giggling at himself like it’s the most hilarious thing. Kaden grins, clearly amused, while I pinch the bridge of my nose, resisting the urge to scold him.
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Kaden slipping his hand into the back pocket of his jeans for his wallet.
“Kaden, if you’re thinking about paying for our meal, I’m gonna have to ask you to put that away.”
“I really don’t mind.”
“I do. Don’t think I’ve forgotten the refund you sent me for the bench. I’ll make sure I make that up to you, by the way.”
“Okay, fine. I just need to go to the men’s restroom for a minute. Don’t go anywhere yet.”
“Leave your wallet and phone right here on the table. I don’t trust you not to sneak over to the counter and pay.”
He chuckles but complies, setting his phone and wallet on the table. He walks off in the opposite direction of the restrooms, and my brows draw together in suspicion. But then again, he’s probably just saying a quick goodbye to his friend.
A few minutes later, Kaden returns to the table, gathering his things and sliding them back into his pockets. I offer to pay for everyone’s meals, and, surprisingly, he doesn’t argue.
At the register, I give the hostess, a pretty brunette with thick false lashes and lip fillers, our table number.
“How was everything tonight?” she asks.
“The food was amazing as always,” I reply.
The hostess gives me a warm smile, then, as if only noticing Kaden beside me, she eyes him with an almost predatory gaze, offering a different kind of smile—a flirty one this time.
I watch him respond with a controlled, polite smile, before turning his attention back to Zac, ignoring her completely. I can’t help but grin inwardly at that.
“Oh, looks like you weren’t charged for your meals.”
“I’m sorry, come again?” I say, confused.
“Table seven, right?” the hostess asks.
I nod.
“I can see here that my boss wiped the charge. Looks like your meals are on the house.”
My eyes widen like saucers, and I whip my gaze to Kaden, who just shrugs his shoulders.
I narrow my eyes at him. “You didn’t really go to the restroom, did you?”
He shakes his head slowly, as his lips curl into a smirk.
“Well played Mr Grant. But know this—I will get you back for that.”
“I look forward to it.” He winks.
We walk out of the restaurant together, silence settling over us as we head towards my car.
“What are you guys up to for the rest of the day?” Kaden asks as he tucks his hands in his pockets.
“We’re going to the arcade. Mum thinks she can beat me at the basketball hoop game, but she’s dreaming.” Zac quips.
“Excuse me! I happen to have a very sharp throw. I never miss. Just you wait and see.”
I catch the smile spreading across Kaden’s face, he’s clearly enjoying the playful back-and-forth between Zac and me.
“That sounds like a lot of fun. I’m sure there’ll be no sore losers, no matter who wins,” he teases.
“Do you want to come with us?” Zac asks.
“Oh, no, sweetie. I’m sure Kaden already has plans. How about another time?” I look over to Kaden for confirmation, and he gives a small nod.
“I’d love to join and dazzle you with my legendary ball-shooting skills, but unfortunately, I have a couple of custom orders to finish. Next time, though, I’ll be happy to show you what real competition looks like.”
Zac bursts into laughter. “You wish jellyfish! I’m totally gonna kick your butt!”
I stifle a laugh behind my hand, and Kaden just raises an eyebrow at me, amused.
“Alright, enough big talk, you two—time to say goodbye to Kaden.”
“Bye, Kaden. See you tomorrow!”
Kaden holds up a fist again and Zac bumps it with his own.
“See you tomorrow, bud.”
I unlock the car for Zac and he opens the door, sliding in to the passenger seat with as much grace as a baby hippo.
“I had fun today. It was good catching up with you again.” I murmur, letting my eyes slowly drift down his body, stopping at his black Converse that looks brand new. When our eyes meet again, he’s staring at me with a sly grin, like he can somehow tell I’m enjoying the view.
“It was fun. And thanks for letting me join you guys. It sure beats eating lunch all by myself.”
I nod, slowly, and offer him a friendly smile. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Kaden.”
“Yes, you will. Enjoy the arcade, and drive safe.”
“Thanks, you too.”
I settle into the driver’s seat and start the engine, but not before clicking my seatbelt on, and checking that Zac’s is fastened. Once we’re ready, I ease out of the parking spot, and we both wave to Kaden, still watching from where he stands as we pull away.
As I merge onto the main road, heading towards the arcade, I start mentally listing the ingredients I’ll need to pick up from the supermarket afterwards.
If Kaden is willing to spare his free time to help my son with his school project, the very least I can do is make sure he’s welcomed with a warm, home-cooked meal.