Chapter 3
He didn’t like chicken noodle soup-and definitely not when it came with herbs.
I knew it wasn’t for him. Madison was the one who wanted it.
I tried to pull my hand from Zachary’s grasp, but my fingers brushed against the scar on the back of his hand.
It brought back a memory I’d long buried-the fire during our sophomore year. The auditorium engulfed in smoke and panic.
If he hadn’t pulled me out, I wouldn’t be standing here now.
I owed him my life.
Maybe that’s why I didn’t say anything. Just quietly changed my clothes and headed for the door.
Zachary grabbed my wrist, his voice unusually uncertain. “Maybe wait until morning? I mean, it’s not that urgent…”
I cut him off softly. “Is there anything else she wants to eat besides noodle?”
He hesitated, then slowly let go of my arm.
“No,” he said.
Later, as dawn began to break, I stood by the kitchen sink, wiping my hands. The noodles were done, packed carefully into the thermal container.
Zachary waited by the door, ready to deliver them to Madison.
“Lily, I’m flying out of the country next week,” he said.
“This Saturday, I managed to free up some time. Let’s have dinner with your parents, talk about the wedding…”
I didn’t let him finish. “There’s no need.”
He paused, visibly caught off guard. “What do you mean by that?”
I forced a smile and lied, “They’re out of town. On a trip. Won’t be back for a while.”
He stared at me, clearly wanting to say more, but then his phone rang-and that took precedence.
He shut the door in a hurry.
Friday. My last day at the office.
had barely stepped outside when Zachary pulled up, got out of the car, and-without a word-tugged me straight into the Daenger seat.
–
At a sleek, upscale restaurant, he cut into my steak with practiced ease and asked, “What kind of wine do you want?”
I kept my eyes on my phone, thumbing through it absently.
“You choose,” I mumbled.
That answer clearly didn’t sit well with him. His jaw tightened, his expression darkening. “Who are you texting?”
“No one.”
He didn’t believe me. He reached across the table, snatched my phone, and started scrolling through it.
Chapter 3
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After a long pause, his voice dropped. “When did you change your wallpaper?”
For as long as I could remember, my lock screen had been a photo of us together.
Now, it was my parents’ golden retriever-Cooper.
I didn’t bother answering. I just stood up and walked off to the restroom.
By the time I came back, Zachary was gone.
Suddenly, the lights in the restaurant dimmed.
A server wheeled out a cart adorned with flowers and cake, moving slowly through the room.
It stopped-at the table next to mine.
A moment later, my phone buzzed with a text from my carrier: [Happy Birthday from AT&T.]
I stepped of the restaurant, and a few steps onto the sidewalk I heard someone squeal with delight.
“Oh my god, Zach-higher! Push me higher!”
I turned to see Madison on an outdoor swing outside the café, giggling like a schoolgirl as Zachary pushed her. She leaned back too far, went flying-and landed right in his arms.
They stared at each other, grinning, locked in a cuddle that lasted far too long before they finally noticed me. Zachary’s eyes went cold the second he saw me, all warmth draining from his face.
Madison spotted me too. “This swing is so much fun, Lily! You should come try-”
Her voice trailed off as she saw my expression. Her cheeks flushed an embarrassed pink, and she let her arms slip from his shoulders. “Please don’t get the wrong idea, Lily. Zach only caught me because I almost fell…”
Zachary ruffled her hair gently, eyes soft as he looked at her. “Come on, don’t overthink it. What matters is you’re okay.”
Then, as if flicking a switch, he turned to me-his face unreadable and cold. “You finished eating?”
I didn’t bother to answer. I simply walked away toward the Ferris wheel that stood a short distance from the café. They say tha if you make a wish on your birthday while riding the Ferris wheel, it’ll come true.
Chapter 3
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