Chapter 16
A side from catching Boyd kissing Nichelle, meeting Eli was the next strangest thing that happened in the past few weeks. When she walked into the cocktail bar with Zack, Eli greeted her and immediately shook her hand. He shared the same good looks, including that full, glossy beard, and the warm smile. The only difference was that with Eli, the tingle was absent when they touched.
“So, you’re the woman who put me in trouble with Jamila and Zack at the same time.”
Gina’s gaze went to the woman who also sat in the maroon booth. She held out one hand, and they introduced themselves. “Sorry about that. I thought ...”
“I get it.” Her bright eyes twinkled in tandem with the diamond studs in her ears. “I thought the same thing, too.”
“On my part ...” Gina let her gaze swing to Zack. “Someone forgot to say he had a twin.”
“I didn’t get the right opportunity to tell you,” Zack protested as he claimed the seat next to her and took the menu Eli handed him. He moved the wineglasses out of the way and opened the menu on the table between them.
“We’re going to have the buffalo wings, lobster sliders, and seasoned fries. I ordered extra wings and fries,” Eli offered, then drank from his water glass.
“See anything you like?” Zack asked.
“The shrimp in garlic sauce sounds good.” Gina tapped the menu. “I like codfish fritters, too.”
“I’d top that up with some sweet and spicy chicken wings and beef kebabs.” He peered at the list, then said, “We should add some cocktail patties, and mac and cheese balls.”
“Sounds like you’re feeding a small army,” Jamila quipped.
“I didn’t have lunch,” Zack said.
Wearing a deadpan face, Eli added, “Plus, he eats like a blue whale.”
“Says the man who puts away food like he’s in a famine.”
While the twins teased each other and placed their food and drink orders, Gina scanned their surroundings. She hadn’t been inside this bar, which had a cozy atmosphere and clearly catered to an upscale crowd.
The clever arrangement of seating ensured that customers wouldn’t overhear each other’s conversations, and each table had uniformed wait staff. The larger groups had two assigned.
As they waited for their food and chatted over drinks, Gina listened keenly to the twins and Jamila. When she asked how they met, Gina told the tale of being ogled by Santa.
Zack bumped her arm gently, then said, “She’s leaving out the part where her son asked me to get her a boyfriend.”
“For real?” Eli asked while pouring Schweppes over ice.
Gina rested her fingertips at the center of her forehead, covering her face. “I’ve never been so embarrassed in my life.”
Zack chuckled, then swallowed a mouthful of sorrel beer. “Kids say the funniest things.”
“I’ll bet you were happy when you laid eyes on Gina, though.”
“That’s right,” Zack agreed, and shared a fist bump with Eli.
Gina’s phone buzzed in her lap and she pulled it out. “Excuse me, I have to get this.”
She read the message from the client whose function was two days away and her stomach sank. Sharone wanted to add another thirty servings to her food order. Already, Gina’s operations were stretched to capacity, and she was working with two-thirds of her normal staff. Thanks to the madness with Nichelle.
Could she do it? It was difficult to say no, especially since she was already catering the dinner. Still, thirty additional servings presented a challenge. She’d have to be on location, which put her in an impossible position. What would she do about Luca?
She looked up when their waiter and an assistant arrived with their order. Gnawing at the inside of her lip, Gina racked her brain about how to respond to Sharone.
“What’s wrong?” Zack asked next to her ear.
“Nothing really, just thinking about how to answer this text.”
He moved slightly to allow the waiter to lay the plate on the mat, then focused on her again. The concern in his eyes made her say, “My client wants to increase her order.”
“Isn’t that good news?”
“I’m short staffed, but the truth is I can’t say no.” She raised one hand. “I’m already booked for the function.”
“It will work out.”
“Guess so.” She sent confirmation to Sharone, then put the phone back in her purse, but Thursday’s arrangements weighed on her mind. Still, she believed in being present in the moment and this one was definitely not to be missed. Zack hadn’t put a foot wrong yet, except for the dog mishap, and she could overlook it since she now understood the circumstances.
“How’s the shrimp?” Zack asked.
She dabbed her lips and replaced the napkin on her lap. “Good. So are the fritters.”
“You should try the seasoned fries. This place does a good job every time.”
“You’re here that often?” she asked, placing a few on her plate.
“Nah, Zack loves his private space.” Eli said, picking up a wing. “He’s more of a takeout guy.”
Chuckling, Zack shook his head. “Just give up all my secrets, like anybody asked you.”
“Don’t knock him too hard.” She patted Zack’s hand that rested on the table. “I’m learning more about you.”
“I guess that’s okay, then.” He glanced at her plate. “You better eat more of that food before it goes cold.”
“You ordered so much, we’ll never eat it all.”
The two men stared at each other and broke into laughter. “Just watch us,” they said at the same time.
An hour and thirty minutes later, the four of them sat inside the Cineplex. The movie was light and fun, exactly what Gina needed to take her mind off her cares.
Zack laced their fingers together, and she rubbed his thumb with hers to let him know she was okay with it. His warmth was comforting and reminded her of the early days with her husband.
The memories were sweet, but she kept them locked away to protect her heart. She stole a glance at Zack, who was advancing into spaces she hadn’t allowed Boyd to fill.
Her parents taught Seya and her how to take care of themselves and she’d fallen back on those lessons when Chase died. But it would feel good to lean on someone dependable, someone who loved her, someone who looked at her the way Zack was looking at her now. The affection in his gaze was an open statement that he cared how she felt and was prepared to do something about it if she said she wasn’t okay. She squeezed his hand to indicate she was fine, but he said, “Enjoy the movie. Whatever is bothering you can wait until later.”
She pulled the scarf closer with one hand and settled deeper into the seat. Zack was right. She couldn’t do anything about Thursday’s issues now. This time was hers and Zack’s.
Later, on the way to her house, Gina absorbed the creative decorations displayed on both homes and businesses. When they parked in her driveway, Zack leaned in and pressed a sweet kiss to her lips. She closed her eyes when he nudged her mouth open and enjoyed the sweet connection as his tongue tangled with hers.
After a moment, she pulled back and stared into his eyes.
He touched his lips to hers again, then said, “Please tell me what has you worried. You tried, but from time to time, the problem came at you.”
“That’s true.” She stared at the flower bed, lined with hibiscus and ixora plants, as she explained the issue.
Zack stroked the back of her hand as he listened, then offered a comment. “Not only are you short staffed, you need a babysitter.”
“Yes.”
“And you’re sure Seya will be unavailable?”
She nodded. “With our parents away, and what has happened with Nichelle, we’ve worked out our schedule down to the last minute. Seya helps me around this time of year, but the company she works for is super busy with parties and concerts.”
Zack stroked his beard, deep in thought. Then he nodded. “Lizette is back, and Luca likes her.” He raised both hands and flashed a smile. “And don’t ask me how I know. I know , okay?”
“I won’t ask then.”
“What I’m saying is I’m pretty sure we can help.”
She turned the purse over in her lap, tempted to accept his offer. Aside from the importance of staying afloat financially, she couldn’t shortchange her clients, despite what was happening in her personal life.
When she looked at Zack, his concern was obvious. She swallowed her reluctance and asked, “Are you serious?”