Page 51 of Calling a Cease-Fire

After he hung up, he opened the case of beer and handed us each one before opening one for himself. “That was fun.”

“That poor kid,” I said with a chuckle and a shake of my head.

“He was pretty confused.” The tiny meows from the kittens seemed louder than before, pulling Zack’s attention that way. He checked the time on his watch and then placed his beer down on the counter. “Need to feed the rascals.”

Savannah and I followed him to a large box that sat on his kitchen table. I looked around, taking in the butcher block countertops, light teal cabinets, and a gorgeous chandelier. Everything was clean and neat, making the entire space absolutely lovely. A wall of windows that lined the back wall made the space light and airy.

Zack pulled two large cans of wet cat food and six small bowls from the box. I picked up one of the spoons and, after opening one of the cans, Zack slid it in front of me. I divided the food between three of the bowls, handing them to Savannah to carry over to the kittens’ pen. Zack placed his three bowls down in the pen and we all watched the little fluffballs beeline for their dinner. They really were cute.

Zack made sure each kitten had its own bowl, and then, satisfied they were taken care of, he walked back to the counter and picked up his beer. Crossing one foot over the other, he leaned back against the counter. “How’s things going with your mom?”

I sighed. That was a complicated question, so I took a sip of my drink while I thought about what to say. “She has her car back, but she’s saying she doesn’t want to press charges.”

Savannah raised a brow, and I filled her in on what happened earlier in the week.

“Ouch. That sucks.” Savannah’s words summed up exactly how I felt.

“Yeah. And nothing I say gets through to her.”

A loud chime rang through the space and Zack placed his beer back down. “Food’s here.”

As if on cue, my stomach grumbled obnoxiously. I started opening cabinets looking for plates, and sensed Savannah come up next to me.

“This one.” She opened the cabinet next to the sink.

My back stiffened and my shoulders crawled up to my ears. It wasn’t only that Zack knew what Savannah liked to drink, but she was also comfortable and familiar in his home. I went to take the plates from Savannah and noticed the sly grin she now wore.

“Girl, you might be trying to convince yourself you don’t have feelings for Zack, but I’m calling bullshit.”

“It doesn’t matter how I feel. I can’t give him what he wants.”

She didn’t let go of the plates. “He just wants you.”

Zack appeared with the bags of food, taking us in with a concerned expression. I forced a smile as Savannah let me take the plates from her. Zack hesitated, but after a moment set the bags down and started taking the items out.

“Want to watch a movie while we eat?” he asked, looking at me.

“Sure. If it’s okay with Savannah.” I prayed she was planning to hang out. I didn’t trust myself if Zack and I were alone. Hell, I wasn’t even sure I trusted myself with someone here.

“Yeah. I’m always up for chilling in the theater room.”

“Theater?” I repeated.

“I built a mini movie theater in the basement.”

“Really?”

“Yup.” He began opening up containers and putting items on his plate. “Make your plate, grab your drink, and I’ll show you.”

Fully loaded plate in one hand and my beer in the other, I followed behind Zack and Savannah as they led us downstairs. The moment we stepped inside, I froze, completely amazed at what I was seeing. Two rows of leather recliners lined the top section of the room, and a curved sectional sofa sat in the very front with a large round table in the middle.

Savannah brushed past Zack and headed straight for the couch, taking one of the spots on the end. So unless I took one of the recliners, no matter where on the sofa I sat, I would be next to Zack.

He leaned down, his warm breath teasing along my ear. “Don’t worry. I don’t bite.”

I tilted my head, shooting him a flirty smile. “That’s a shame. I would probably like that.”

“Oh. I’m sure you would.”