Sleet Sugar by S.J. Tilly

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

IZZY

Watching Zach switch from growling hard-ass to smooth talking charmer is like seeing behind the magician's curtain.

Handing Zach a slip of paper containing every possible way of contacting her, the host smiles and tells us to enjoy the next dating session together.

The bell sounds.

I turn to face Zach.

Thankful he gets to stay, my shoulders relax. “Seriously, Zach, thank you for rudely barging in on my speed dating plans. I don’t know if I could’ve made it through the rest of those "dates" without crying.”

Zach gives me the most self-satisfied smirk I’ve ever seen. “Just wanted to make sure you had the proper backup.”

“Oh, is that it? You were trying to be my wingman? Because I got to say, instead of a fun-loving bro, you were about as welcoming as a high voltage fence.”

“Bro? Please, Sugar, for all that is clean and righteous in this world, strike that word from your vocabulary. I’ve never been called a bro before, and I sure as fuck don’t want to hear you calling me that.” Zach’s face is twisted up in disgust.

“You’re such a drama queen.”

“Still better than being a bro.”

I notice that he makes no attempt to apologize for cockblocking me all night. I mean, I wasn’t here to get laid, but that is how Zach and I met. For all he knows I could’ve been hoping to go home with someone tonight.

With another look around the room I concede the unlikeliness of that assumption. He would’ve needed all of a second to see how shallow this dating pool is. Even without him keeping my suitors away, I never would’ve left tonight with the intention of seeing any of these guys again.

Zach is also giving the room a once over. “So, you ready to blow this popsicle stand? Or did you want to stick around for the closing arguments?”

“I think I’ve had as much fun as I can handle for one night.”

Zach extends his hand.

The bell dings.

I slip my palm against his.