Page 35 of How (Not) to Conjure a Boyfriend
He throws a hand over his mouth and his eyes burst wide.
A smile breaks across my face and I giggle.
“You’re good. The TV’s too loud,” I assure him. “She ain’t going to hear shit.”
“Wooh,” he breathes through O-shaped lips and finally laughs with me.
“You’re okay though, I get it,” I tell him. I’m the bad one here after all. Gods, I really am the bad one here.
“Okay. I don’t want to be your boyfriend’s asshole brother.” Zachary grins.
* * *
Two hours later, Mom and I are clearing the Chinese takeout from the table. I’m scrubbing the silverware while Mom rinses and puts them in the rack to dry. Zachary’s at the table looking like a lost puppy.
He asked to help and I said he could do Mom’s part, but she told him to sit back down. This is probably the most time I’ve spent with Mom in a while, actually doing something together other than watching TV. It’s nice even if it is cleaning up after dinner.
Zachary’s been pretty cool too. Oh, and he’s a sci-fi and fantasy fan. Before Mom stole his attention, we were going on and on aboutRebel Moon. It’s epic, and he even agreed that Nemesis is the coolest character. Then he mentioned loving the fantasy parts, and Mom mentionedGame of Thrones, which he seems to love, and I became a silent bystander for a while. I’ve only seen a few seasons. Now they’re going on about his cats, something I can fully get into. One is even named after one of theGoTdragons or something.
“Rhaenyra is a ragdoll. She’ssofluffy,” Zachary says.
“Aw,” I sigh. They sound so cute.
“I love that name,” Mom says. “And your other?”
“Artemis,” he replies. “He’s a Russian Blue.”
“Those are gorgeous,” Mom says, handing me the last cleaned fork.
The light in her eyes and the exuberance in her voice feels so foreign. I like it, but it’s like some distant relative coming to visit. Someone I’ve not seen in ages who warms my heart. I wish she’d stay like this.
“Arty is a cutey. He’s still a kitten too.” Zachary is nearly cooing over the cat.
At least it isn’t a snake, or worse, insects. I don’t want to be ten feet from anypetinsect.
“Have you met Arty?” Mom looks at me.
“Uh…n-no,” I stutter.
“Maybe you can soon.”
“Maybe,” I say, giving Zachary a funny look.
He actually returns the expression and then gets up. “I need to get going, actually.”
Oops! I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.Good job, Kenzie.
“There’s no rush, Zachary,” Mom assures him.
“Yeah, you’re good,” I say.
“Nah, I need to get home. I’ve got homework,” he tells us. His eyes settle on me. “But Mom did want me to invite you over for dinner tomorrow.”
“Oh,” I say. Suddenly I don’t know how to respond. I don’t need to keep going over there. Silence bounces loudly betweenus while we look awkwardly at each other until Mom nudges me with her elbow. What? Oh! “Uh, yeah. Sure. What time?”
“Think she said seven,” Zachary says. “I’ll make sure.”
“Okay, yeah.” I nod.
