Page 185 of Zach
doing your boss.”
It’s my turn to cough. “Dating. I’m dating my boss.”
“Jesus, that’s the same thing. Holy fuck. Who are you? We have so much to catch up on.” More
muttering, then. “I can catch a bus and be there later tonight. You better damn well be prepared to
answer questions.”
Oh, everything is happening fast. Really fast. Too fast.
It’s ok. This stuff happens every day. Friends come to visit. This is totally normal.
“Great,” I say, cringing when I hear the high pitch of my voice. Abigail just laughs. I manage to
give her my address and make plans to pick her up.
Oh god. There’s no bed…or anything in the guest room. I just invited her to stay, and I have
nowhere to put her.
“YOU’RE DISTRACTED,” JONAS SAYS, GLANCING AT ME FROM THE DRIVER’S SEAT. I’VE COME TO LOVE
our drives together. But today, after a day spent panicking over Abigail’s imminent visit, I can’t enjoy
it. Zach, as usual, is sitting behind me. We’re dating now, so maybe that should be weird. Are we
supposed to want to sit together? Either way, it’s comfortable and familiar. But I am being epically
rude. I drop my phone to my lap.
“Yes. I’m sorry.”
“No need to apologize. It was a statement, not an accusation.”
“Anything we can help with?” Zach asks, his fingertips caressing my elbow through my winter
coat. I turn back to smile at him, his wink making me blush. He’s relaxed back in his seat as usual,
looking put together and edible. Only today, he looks more touchable.
“Did you change your hair?” I ask, reaching for him without thinking. I pull back, realizing that
we’re in the car with his brother after a day at work, and it somehow feels not allowed. Zach snags
my fingers, leaning toward me as far as his seatbelt will allow.
“Don’t do that. Don’t pull away from me. Don’t deprive me of your touch.” His searing gaze
makes my stomach clench.
“Deprive you?”
“What else would you call it,” he asks in a grumpy voice.
“Ah…I just….” I trail off, gaze darting to Jonas. Zach frowns.
“Jonas, do you care if my girlfriend touches me? Are you going to be disgusted? Horrified?
