Chapter 4
Lainey
I force a smile as Brad launches into another story about his latest work success, his words droning like background noise.
He’s perfectly nice—steady job, well-dressed, ambitious—but I’m finding it hard to stay focused.
My mind keeps flickering back to Zach, and I shake my head to snap myself out of it.
“…and that promotion I was telling you about? It’s really opened doors,” Brad is saying, his voice brimming with pride. “The corporate world is all about ambition and drive, you know?”
“Mm-hmm,” I murmur, keeping my smile intact, but my thoughts drift again. Images of Zach’s playful smirk and the way he made me laugh last night slip in, uninvited. I mentally slap myself. No, Lainey. Stop it.
I refocus, making a mental note: Brad fits my checklist. Reliable, confident, and well put-together.
Perfect on paper, but as he goes on, I start to notice small irritations—the way he comments on my menu choice, the slightly patronizing tone when he corrects me about something trivial.
Then, I notice him shooting the waitress lingering glances, his smile a little too friendly.
Finally, when Brad winks at the waitress as she walks away, my irritation boils over.
This is it.
“I’ll be right back,” I say tightly, rising from my seat and heading to the restroom to collect myself.
As I walk toward the bathroom, my gaze drifts around the restaurant—and freezes.
There, across the room, seated with a stunning brunette, is Zach.
He’s laughing, flashing that easy smile, and he looks completely at ease.
Seeing him is like a slap to the face, a reminder of everything I’m supposedly not looking for.
I force myself to keep walking, ignoring the tightness in my chest. One foot in front of the other. Don’t stop. Don’t look back.
I can almost hear my own voice whispering. Stick to the checklist, or you’ll never get your happily ever after.
The moment I step into the bathroom, I head straight for the mirror. In my reflection, my eyes look a little too wide, my cheeks flushed. I take a few deep breaths, willing my heart to slow down.
Calm down, Lainey. You’re here for a reason. Brad’s a safe choice.
But as I make my way back to the table, I spot Brad leaning toward the waitress, flashing her that same cocky smile he’d used on me earlier. Then he smacks her behind, giving her another wink and a “Call me later.”
Oh, absolutely not.
Before I can say anything, I feel a warm presence beside me, and an arm slips around my shoulders. Startled, I look up—and there’s Zach, wearing that all-too-familiar smirk.
“Hey, baby,” he says smoothly, pulling me in close. My eyes widen as he murmurs, “Play along. Your date’s a sleaze.”
Before I can respond, Brad finally looks up and narrows his eyes. “Who’s this guy? I thought we were having dinner, not for you to flirt with random guys.”
My temper flares. “Excuse me? I didn’t do anything! You’re the one flirting with the waitress,” I snap, grabbing my glass of water without thinking. With a quick flick of my wrist, I throw it right in his face.
Brad splutters, water dripping from his chin as he glares at me, stunned. I can’t help it—a surge of satisfaction pulses through me as I turn on my heel and stride toward the door.
“Enjoy dinner, buddy. I took care of the check.” I hear Zach say as I head toward the exit.
Once outside, I walk briskly down the sidewalk, cheeks flushed with embarrassment—and maybe a little thrill. I can’t believe that just happened. Oh my God.
“Lainey! Wait up!” Zach calls, catching up with me easily.
I whirl around, arms crossed. “What are you doing here? Aren’t you on a date?”
“Are you spying on me now?”
“What? No!”
“I’m joking. My date left already.”
“Why did you jump in like that?”
Zach shrugs, that infuriatingly casual smile playing on his lips. “Saw you with him and figured you deserved a rescue. He looked like he was all wrong for you, and then I saw him hitting on the waitress. Thought he was a jerk.”
I huff, the last remnants of my irritation flaring up. “I didn’t need your help, Zach. I had it handled.”
Unfazed, Zach just takes my hand. “Come on,” he says, his tone softening, “let me take you somewhere that’ll cheer you up.”
Before I can protest, he’s already leading me down the block to a cozy dessert shop—one of my favorite spots. I glance up at him, surprised. “How did you know about this place?”
He gives me a small smile, that twinkle in his eye making me suspicious. “I have my ways.”
I narrow my gaze at him but decide to let it go. We settle into a corner table, and over dessert, Zach leans back, studying me thoughtfully.
After a moment, he leans forward, a smirk playing at the edges of his mouth. “So… I heard you’re on the hunt for a wedding date,” he says, his tone casual but his gaze sharp. “Doesn’t seem like it’s working out, by the looks of it.”
I nearly choke on my forkful of cake. “What? Who told you that?”
“Wyatt mentioned it.” He shrugs, clearly enjoying my reaction. “Seems you’re going through quite the effort to find Mr. Perfect to bring along. Sounds like a real adventure.”
I roll my eyes, trying to keep my composure. “It’s not an adventure. It’s practical. I want to find someone who meets certain standards. A date who’s reliable, has a decent job, knows how to dress well—”
“A checklist, huh?” he interrupts, his brows raising in amusement. “I didn’t know people really did that.”
“Why wouldn’t they?” I counter, defending my approach. “It’s efficient. And it means I won’t end up with someone like… well, like my date tonight.”
He laughs, leaning back in his seat, clearly amused. “Alright, I get it. But if you’re so focused on finding someone who checks every box, don’t you think you’re missing out on, I don’t know, the fun of it all?”
Before I can respond, his smile widens, mischief lighting up his gaze.
“What if I saved you again?” he asks casually. “Be your date, no strings attached. You wouldn’t have to deal with any more losers like that guy tonight, and you wouldn’t have to go through this checklist madness again.”
“You?” I stare at him, genuinely surprised.
“Yeah. I could be your wedding date,” he says, voice casual, but there’s an edge of something serious in his eyes. “No checklist required. No strings attached. Just… show up, have a good time, and skip the hunt for Mr. Perfect."
I stare at him, caught between disbelief and intrigue. Zach Darling, my wedding date? The idea is ridiculous…and yet, there’s something tempting about it.