Page 30 of Better Together

“Oh hell, Zeke, just admit it already,” Ethan said.

“What?”

Roman poked at the fire, moving a log around. “You’ve been harboring feelings for Alexis Welby ever since you moved back home.”

“Hell, I thought there was something going on with you two when you were teenagers,” Cole said.

“We were friends, that’s it.” Zeke was attracted to Alexis back when she and her mom stayed at the resort during the summers, but as a teenage boy, he was attracted to any girl wearing a bikini. Back then, they were only friends.

He started to regret coming to hang out with the guys. They were as bad as the busybodies in town. “What we don’t get is why you haven’t made your move. You flirt with everyone, yet you don’t acknowledge your feelings toward Alexis,” Cole said.

“I’m surprised Grandma hasn’t set things in motion for you two,” Ethan said. “Maybe you should have a talk with her. I’m sure she’d be happy to help you out—heck, she helped me.”

Nick chuckled and said, “Life’s too short. I think we all have regrets. I know I do. Don’t let her get away, because the right woman will move on with or without you.”

Zeke let Nick’s words sink in. He’d never known Nick to open up, and the rest of the guys seemed just as stunned when he looked around at everyone else. “Do you think she knows how I feel? Because apparently I haven’t fooled any of you.”

Nick slapped him on the back. “Nope. That’s why you need to make a move.”

Zeke rested his arms on his legs. “I almost kissed her.”

Ethan had just taken a drink and almost spit it out in shock. “Okay. Almost? The funk you’re in right now tells me that was your first mistake.” He shook his head.

“I’m giving her time.”

“And . . .” the guys all said in unison.

“You guys are a bunch of gossips. And she is currently sitting in her hot tub with Pete after spending the day pressed up against him on the back of his bike.”

Roman sat down on the bench. “I think we’re going to be here awhile.”

* * *

Almost midnight, and with a long day tomorrow, Zeke said his goodbyes and hauled his ass back home. He knew what he needed to do. He’d wake Alexis up if he had to, or haul Pete out of the hot tub. Talking with the guys tonight put his dating life into perspective. No wonder she didn’t act on his advances. Well, until last night . . . but then he’d shut it down. Stupid.

Zeke pulled into his garage but kept the door open to haul out a few tools from the bed of his truck. He smelled of wood and smoke, the one thing about bonfires he didn’t like, but put up with. He loved his quiet neighborhood. Everyone asleep for the night. He enjoyed late nights and early mornings the most.

He glanced over at Alexis’s dark house. She’d hate him for waking her up, since she didn’t sleep as much as she should, so he put his tools away and went inside.

He crawled into bed and sent Alexis a text. Are you awake?

He fell asleep waiting for a reply.

* * *

Alexis had missed a text from Zeke last night. She had left her phone in the kitchen to charge. She started the coffeemaker, pulled out a thermos, and sent a quick text to Zeke even though she’d see him in a few minutes: Sorry I didn’t see your text last night. Did something happen at the house?

Zeke replied, All good at the house. Only wanted to see if you were still up.

She wished she hadn’t been sleeping so she could ask him why he took off so fast. I’m leaving now, talk soon?

Yep. See you soon.

Alexis shoved her keys into her pocket, filled her thermos, and walked out the door. Something was amiss. Zeke had never texted her in the middle of the night. She’d find out soon.

On the way to work, Lily called to set up her third blind date. Alexis was going to be glad when the dating agreement was done. Lily promised Josh was different from her last two dates and she’d have fun. Alexis hoped so.

The delivery truck had just dropped off the windows when she arrived at the Elmhurst house. They had been on back order, but now they’d finally be able to set them and patch the siding. It might be see-your-breath chilly, but it wasn’t snowing. She waded through the inventory. “These aren’t our windows,” she said to anyone who was listening. Zeke was speaking to someone on his phone, and he held up a hand for her to wait a minute.