“That’s when my father decided to move to Austin.”
Snapping out of my daydream, I smiled. Zach was handsome, not as handsome as Luke though. His dark-blond hair was always perfect. He dressed like he stepped out of a GQ magazine and he stood just a bit shorter than Luke. I didn’t fit against Zach’s body like I did Luke’s. I looked down and away.
Luke.
“When do I get to meet your parents?”
Pulling my head back I asked, “What?”
Zach started laughing. “You seemed so lost in thought, Lib. I needed to say something to bring you back.”
I giggled, reached across the table and hit his shoulder.
Zach leaned back and looked at me. His eyes screamed he wanted me, but I wasn’t ready yet. I wasn’t sure when I would be ready and if he would even be the one. I had been saving myself for Luke. Since I could remember, I wanted my first time to be with him. “I’m starved. How about Saltgrass?”
I nodded my head. “That sounds good.” My phone beeped and I looked down to see I had a text from Alex.
Alex: Grace and I are in town.
Me: OMG! I want to see you!
I looked up at Zach and smiled bigger. “My two best friends from home are in town. Can I invite them and my brother to dinner with us?
Zach smiled. “Alex and … Grace?”
The fact that he remembered Alex and Grace’s names caused my stomach to jump. “Yes. Alex is dating my brother Will. Grace is Luke’s sister.”
Zach’s smile faded a bit. “Luke? Who’s Luke?”
I swallowed hard. I had failed to mention Luke to Zach. “I haven’t mentioned Luke to you before? Are you sure?” My heart began pounding. Why did I never mention Luke to Zach?
Zach shook his head. “Not that I can remember.”
I shrugged my shoulders. “He’s another friend, from home.” I let out a nervous chuckle. “My brother and Luke are roommates.”
Zach nodded his head. “Why don’t you invite them all for dinner?”
Smiling weakly, I began typing out a text to Alex.
Me: Are you free this evening?
Alex: Yep! Why what’s up?
Me: About to go to dinner at Saltgrass Steakhouse.
Alex: With who?
Me: A guy named Zach. We went out to a movie and will be heading to dinner soon.
Alex: A date. What about Luke?
Me: I can’t wait for someone who clearly doesn’t want the same thing I want. Besides, he’s been hooking up with that Abigail girl the last few months.
Alex: What about what he said to you?
Me: He was drunk. I’m done waiting. Want to meet us for dinner?
Alex: Okay. Will went back to his dorm to get some clothes, so he could stay with me at the hotel for the weekend. Can we meet you there in half an hour?
Me: Sure! We’re just talking at Starbucks. Make sure Grace knows!
Alex: Okay. See you soon, sweetie!
I set my phone down and tried to push Luke from my mind. I smiled sweetly at Zach. “Alex, Will, and Grace will be joining us at the Saltgrass.”
Zach’s smile made my heart melt. He was beyond sweet to me and treated me like I was his world. We’d only been dating for a few weeks, but I loved that he hadn’t pushed me into anything. He was taking it slow and that was what I needed.
Zach stood and reached his hand for mine. “May we stop by my dorm so I change first? I don’t want your brother meeting me for the first time and I’m in running shorts.”
I let out a nervous laugh. “He wouldn’t care, but yes, we can stop by your dorm.”
I sent Alex a text letting her know we might be a few minutes late since we had to stop at Zach’s dorm.
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 but 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.