Page 27 of Better Together

Maggie snorted. “She should be ready by six then.”

“How about eight o’clock,” Alexis suggested. “I’ll text you my address.”

Owen spoke up. “We have room in the garage at the main house if you’d like to store your bike while you’re here. You probably won’t be getting much time to ride before the snow falls.”

“Thanks, Owen, I appreciate that.”

Alexis addressed the Reynolds clan. “I need to crawl into bed. Enjoy your evening.”

Zeke stood. “I’m calling it a night too. It’s been a long week. I’ll walk you home.” They made the rounds and said their goodbyes. Zeke ruffled his twin nieces’ hair and ducked out of the way before he was smacked. At ten, they were at an age where their hair mattered to them.

The evening had cooled into the low fifties, but the breeze remained gentle, carrying the aroma of scrumptious food, teasing Alexis’s senses even though she couldn’t eat another bite.

“What do you think of Pete?” she asked Zeke as they walked back to their respective homes.

“He seems like a nice guy. Were you two ever an item?”

She laughed. “Why? Jealous?”

Zeke shrugged. “Yeah, I guess I am.”

Alexis stopped walking. He turned to her. They were under a large sugar maple that was slowly losing its leaves, standing in its colorful remnants. Zeke held her gaze, their faces close. She wasn’t sure what was about to happen. Did she want Zeke to kiss her? Definitely. But was it wise? Definitely not.

Zeke reached for her, cupped her face with both hands, leaned in . . . and then the neighbor’s chocolate lab jumped on them and barked.

Alexis shrieked.

“Shit.” Zeke stepped back and ran his hand through his hair.

“Hi, you two!” Their neighbor reached them and hooked the leash back onto her dog’s collar. “Sorry to interrupt.” She smiled and tugged her dog away. “Carry on.”

Yeah, right. Thanks a lot. Alexis watched the turmoil on Zeke’s face. He reached for her hand and gave it a soft squeeze, encouraging her to come with him. Alexis was ready to drag him into her bedroom, her girly parts reacting to the possibilities.

They walked around to the back door of her house in silence, neither one of them knowing what to say. If it weren’t for the exuberant dog, they’d be wrapped up in each other’s arms, tasting and exploring each other.

Her heart raced with anticipation when he stepped close and skimmed his thumb over her cheek.

“Good night, Alexis.” Zeke kissed her on the forehead. “Sweet dreams.”

Alexis stood transfixed as he retreated through the gate. Sweet dreams? Ha! Dreams about Zeke wouldn’t be sweet but sizzling hot.

* * *

Zeke, tangled in his bedsheets, woke with thoughts of Alexis beside him. All he’d wanted to do was kiss her last night and profess his feelings, but he wasn’t sure he should pursue her now that Pete had arrived. She’d only think he was jealous and making a move solely because Pete was in town. He was a dumbass for not kissing her before last night. Now he needed to make damn sure she wanted him and not Pete.

At the rumble of a motorcycle, he reached for his jeans. He made it to the front window in time to see Alexis straddle the bike and wrap her arms around Pete. Zeke ran his fingers through his bed-tousled hair and headed into the kitchen. His plan had been to relax on his day off, but he felt restless and needed to do something constructive.

He sent a text to Ethan. Mind if I use your gym this morning?

Ethan responded right away: Go on over. Paige is helping Mom and I’m helping Abe. You know where the key is.

Pumping iron should keep his mind focused instead of thinking about Alexis’s body pressed up against another man.

* * *

Still restless after a grueling workout, Zeke stopped in at his mom’s new place, thinking he could help her unpack a few boxes.

She greeted him with a hug. “Paige just left. Did you come to help?”