Page 116 of Save the Date
“Doesn’t matter. After the day I’ve had, I’ll just be happy to see a friendly face.”
“I can do friendly,” Jack said. “Very friendly.”
***
He stalked back into the living room. Zoey was stretched out on the sofa, with Shaz perched at her feet. She gave Jack a playful wink. “Was that your new squeeze? Did you tell her about me?”
“None of your business,” he said, looking around the room. “By the way, where the hell are your clothes?”
She wrinkled her nose. “Gross. The health department people who met us at the port told us we should make sure and like, sanitize everything. So we don’t spread the virus. Or get it again. God forbid. As soon as I got here, I threw everything into the washing machine.”
“Everything? What were you planning to wear in the meantime?”
She arched one eyebrow. “I wasn’t planning to wear anything. Actually, you kind of spoiled my surprise, coming in the back door the way you did. I had this big welcome back to Jack all planned out.”
“Yeah. I remember the last surprise you planned for me. I came home to an empty house, and a puppy who’d peed all over the floor. I’m pretty much over your surprises, Zoey.”
She stood up, stretched, and reached her arms out toward him. “It’s different this time, Jackie.”
“Forget it,” he said, deftly stepping sideways. “Not interested.”
Zoey was not to be deterred. “I’m not contagious.”
“No,” Jack said, deadpan. “You’re not. Whatever you’ve got, I’m finally immune to it. I’m gonna take a shower now, then I’m going out for a while. While I’m gone, I suggest you finish up your laundry, get dressed, and move along down the road.”
“What? You’re kicking me out? Just like that?”
“Just like that,” he agreed. He headed for the shower. “Why don’t you check the washing machine? I bet your stuff is clean by now.”
***
He’d just stepped into the shower when he heard the bathroom doorknob turn. And then turn again. Jack chuckled and turned his face up to the nozzle, letting the water stream over his face.
Zoey pounded on the door. “You locked the door?” she hollered. “Asshole! What if I need to pee?”
“Take it outside,” he called back. He reached for the soap and frowned when he saw the familiar silver and pink bottles of shampoo and conditioner on the window ledge. She’d already begun the process of moving in again. This time, though, the process would stop. Tonight.
When he’d toweled off and put on clean clothes, he walked out to the living room to find Zoey still reclining on the leather sofa. Thankfully, she’d gotten dressed, and was wearing an oversized blue-and-white-striped shirt and jeans. She’d combed her hair and twisted it back from her face and was looking semihuman again.
“Is that my shirt?” he asked.
She shrugged. “You never wear this shirt, so I didn’t think you’d mind. My stuff’s still in the dryer. I found a pair of my old jeans in the laundry room. You look nice. Where are you off to?”
“Out.”
“Like, out to dinner? Not that you’ve asked, but I haven’t had anything to eat. Not in hours and hours. And there’s nothing in the fridge. I checked.”
“Maybe you should go find yourself something then. Right after you pack up your stuff. I’m not taking you to dinner. And you can’t stay here, Zoey.”
“Where would you suggest I go? This was my home too, Jack. I can’t believe you’re being like this.”
“Believe it,” he said. “Call up one of your girlfriends. Or go to a motel.”
She sat up then and crossed one long, lithe leg over the other. “The thing is, I’m sort of short of funds right at the minute. We only get paid every two weeks. I gave the cruise line this address, and they’re supposed to forward my final check week after next.”
Zoey gave him a sad little smile. “See? You just have to put up with me for two more weeks. Then I’ll get out of your hair. If that’s what you really want.”
“Oh no.” He shook his head emphatically. “Oh, hell, to the no. You’re not pulling that broke and helpless crap on me again. You’ve been living on a cruise ship for what, three, four months? Your room and food was free, you had no living expenses. If you’re broke, that’s your problem. Not mine.”
