Page 79 of Finally Moore
“Freezing your ass off,” a familiar voice says behind me before lighting a cigarette.
“You know, smoking kills your palate,” I taunt.
Zach shrugs. “Hasn’t stopped me from getting two Michelin stars and hopefully, after tonight’s experience, a third.”
“You’re an asshole, you know that?”
“Me?” He looks around as if I could be talking about anyone else, then shrugs. “True, but it doesn’t make my statement any less accurate. Now, what the fuck are you doing sitting out here when you should be inside, getting ready to have your mind blown?”
“Mind blown? Really?”
“What? Too much?”
“Just a little.” I shake my head.
“Why’d I even invite you? I should’ve known you were going to rag on me harder than any of the asshole critics in there.”
“Maybe that’s exactly why you did it. You’re tired of having people blow smoke up your ass.”
Zach considers my words for a moment before smiling and clapping a hand on my shoulder. “Nope, I’ll never get sick of people telling me how incredible I am.” Then he leans in and speaks quietly. “Especially the ladies—fuck, do they love me.”
“When did you become such a pig?”
He shrugs, finishes his smoke, and tosses the butt. “Are you coming?”
“Can’t. Your bouncer turned me away.”
“What? Why?”
“I don’t have a date.”
“Really? You couldn’t find a single chick in that small town of yours who wanted to be swept off her feet, hang on your arm tonight, and get amazing free food?” He gestures across the street. “Walk into any bar and announce you need a plus-one. You’ll have to beat them off with a stick.”
“I found someone—the one—but somehow managed to fuck it up, and I’m so pathetic even my sister ditched me.”
“Wow, man, thatispathetic.”
“Yup. In her defense, Tilly’s married now, has twin boys with another kid on the way.”
“Damn, I’m really out of the loop. Who’s the lucky fucker who weaseled his way into that canyon-sized hole Jax left in her heart?”
I chuckle. “Jax.”
“No fucking way.” Zach looks back towards the entrance. I’m sure he has a lot to do.
I stand and brush off my slacks. “Thanks for the invite, man, but I think I’m going to go back to my hotel and hope the minibar in my room can help me salvage the rest of this evening.”
“Don’t be stupid. Come on.” Zach opens the door for me.
“I don’t want to fuck with your ambiance, dude. If you’re not too hung over in the morning, maybe we can get breakfast or something before I take off tomorrow?”
“You’re not fucking with shit. Now come on.”
Not wanting to argue or embarrass myself more than I already have, I follow my friend inside and walk past the line. The host notices me right away. “Mr. Young—” he starts while eyeing me with suspicion.
“You’re doing a great job, Garret. Keep up the good work,” Zach tells him.
“Why thank you, sir. But this gentleman doesn’t have a companion.”