Page 42 of This Christmas
Probably, but life would go on. This time though, I know he’d be back. I think he’s realized how much damage he’s done to this dad. Everyone in town has seen the change in Mr. Whitaker since Zane returned. If Zane were to disappear again, the people of Deer Ridge would hunt him down.
“Lunch then? It’s less formal.”
I shake my head. “I really am busy and Noelle’s off today,” I tell him.
The bell chimes at the front door. I glance at the security camera quickly and stand. “I’ll be right back.”
Do you think Zane listens?
No, he doesn’t.
He stands and follows me. “Just in time,” he says. Zane steps in front of me and meets the delivery person at Noelle’s desk.
“What’s going on?”
“Thanks, have a good day,” the delivery person says as he hands over a couple of bags. Zane follows him out and locks the door behind him. While he’s at the door, he turns the OPEN sign to CLOSED.
“What are you doing?” I stomp my foot in frustration and ball my hands into fists.
“We’re having lunch,” he says as he takes the bags of food toward my conference room. “People need toeat, especially lawyers. Besides, I need to talk to you about taking my case.”
“What case?” I ask, hot on his heels. He’s right, I do need to eat and whatever is in the bags smells delicious. My stomach thinks so as well. It’s gurgling and making obscene noises. As much as I don’t want to bend to his will, he knows the way to my heart.
We get to the conference room and Zane waits for me to enter, then shuts the door behind me. “You locked the front door.” I remind him.
“Yes, but if anyone needs you, they can look through the window and see you’re having a meeting in the conference room. I want us to enjoy our lunch together.”
“How do you know they can see me?”
Zane shrugs. “Because I’ve done it.”
“Creeper.”
He laughs as he sets the bags of food onto the table. Slowly, he pulls out two cartons and sets one in front of me. “I call it surveillance.”
“Are you a PI now?” I open the carton and my mouth waters. “Is this from Burger Island?”
“It is,” he says as he rips open the bag of fries for us to share. Zane sits and hands me a chocolate milkshake.
Damn, he knows how to get me to soften up.
“I haven’t had a burger from them in years.” I take the lid off my shake and dip my fry, closing my eyes when the sweet and salty combo hits my taste buds.
“I didn’t even know they were still open until the other day when I had to make a delivery for your mom.”
I fight the urge to roll my eyes at his mention of my mom. It annoys me how short my parents’ memory is. Ever since he showed up, at the right time I might add, my parents have been all over Zane being here for the winter. It could be because they thought of Zane as a son, especially after my brother passed away. He stepped up big time for my family.
“Honestly, the only time I leave town is during December when I make deliveries.”
“Are you really that busy?”
I nod and take a bite, waiting until I swallow to answer. “I represent the town in all their legal matters, especially the landowners, and I serve on some committees. My work keeps me busy, which is good. I like being busy. It gives me less time to think about mundane crap.”
“Like life?”
“Yeah, something like that.”
Zane dips some fries into his shake and sticks them in his mouth. “Do you want to know the last time I’ve eaten fries like this?”