Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 70368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
“Let’s.” I made the conscious decision to not think about anything heavy. Not my parents. Not Atlas leaving. Not how close Christmas was. None of it. All I wanted was to live here in this moment forever.
Fifteen
ATLAS
17 SHOPPING DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS
“All set on glassware?” Zeb bustled up behind me at the bar area, a common occurrence over the last week, but I was still startled, neck prickling, senses dancing with fresh awareness.
“Yep.” Having a secret fling was the best worst idea I’d ever had. Best as in the time kept flying by in a haze of late nights and stolen kisses.
“So…about those Eagles?” Zeb’s gaze darted around the room. Gabe was across the dining area, talking to the organizer folks from the college IT department hosting this night’s party. And that would be the flip side of the best time of my life: an onslaught of corporate Christmas parties and anxious best friends. I hated knowing that Gabe, my oldest and best friend, would be upset if he knew I was messing around with Zeb on the sly. Bi-surprise aside, he’d have the biggest issues with the lying and sneaking and risking Zeb’s big heart on what could only be a short-term fling.
“Believe there’s a game tonight,” I said all casually, like I had any idea of the playoff football schedule. And even with Gabe right there, knowing he’d hate what we were doing, I wasn’t about to end things with Zeb. The best worst thing, indeed.
“Excellent. Later then?” Zeb grinned slyly at me. I was such a goner. I loved how genuine his smiles were, with no pretense or calculated motives. He smiled for the simple reason that I made him happy, and that was a power I was trying hard not to take for granted.
“Definitely later.” I smiled back. Not too wide because that would be obvious, but enough that Zeb knew I had zero intention of finding a game to watch and every intention of having him for a late-night snack.
“Did the beer delivery finally show up?” Gabe strode over, dabbing at his forehead with a handkerchief.
“Yep.” I pointed at the fully stocked bar area, ready for more partygoers to arrive. “You look even more anxious than usual. You okay?”
“Yeah.” Gabe moved his jaw from side to side, clearly trying to seem more relaxed and failing miserably. “This is our first party for Stanton Anthony College. I’d like more of their business.”
“Understandable.”
“How is Paige?” Zeb asked, doffing Gabe lightly on the shoulder. From our late-night talks, I knew that he was also worried about Gabe’s anxiety level. “Doctor appointment today?”
“Paige is great.” Gabe beamed with pride. “And yes, we had an appointment. That’s why I left earlier. We had to go into West Chester for another scan. The babies look great, but the doctor says they could come any time between now and New Year’s. It’s getting real.”
“Get my Uncle of the Year award ready.” Zeb grinned before turning his bright smile on me, a challenge flashing in his eyes.
“Hey!” I protested, taking the bait. “How do you know I won’t win?”
Zeb shrugged. “I’ll win by virtue of proximity.”
He was right, of course, but the reminder of the distance between us still stung. He’d see the babies grow up day by day while I’d be lucky to swoop in on sporadic visits.
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” I said lightly.
“True.” Zeb gave me a tender, meaningful look that hurt more than the tease. He’d miss me when I was gone, and I hated that almost as much as I hated how much I would miss him. Turning back toward Gabe, Zeb went from thoughtful to impish. “And speaking of proximity, if the date is getting close, you and Paige need a babymoon.”
“Ha.” Gabe snorted. “With what time or money?”
“I’m serious,” Zeb persisted, and I nodded in support. “You don’t have to take a whole week away or something, but take a night off, bro.”
“He’s right.” I would have agreed even if I wasn’t sleeping with Zeb, but the way he lit up at my praise made my chest warm. “Take an evening and take your lovely wife downtown, see the city lights and Christmas Village. Eat some good food.”
“Whose side are you on?” Gabe wrinkled his nose before giving a strained laugh.
“Yours. You need a break.” I rarely used my chief voice on civilian friends, but I trotted out the sternness for Gabe. “Take a date night to recharge. Let Zeb and I handle one of the upcoming events.”
“The Zimmerman wedding,” Zeb said decisively. I liked him in bed, warm and compliant, but I also greatly enjoyed when he showed his determination and ability to stand up to Gabe or others. “It’s just a rehearsal dinner this Friday, not a whole wedding. Atlas and I can handle it, no problem.”