Call it Fate: A Sterling Mill Novel (Sterling Mill Series Book 1) by M.E. Montgomery

Author:M.E. Montgomery [Montgomery , M.E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781648181290
Publisher: Lady Boss Press, Inc.
Published: 2022-04-18T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER 22

Emalee

Zach: Meet me for lunch?

I felt little bubbles of excitement fizz throughout my lower region as I read Zach’s text. I tried to caution myself that maybe he just wanted to meet to talk about Iain, but between what he told me a couple of days ago and Cam’s talk of fate and second chances, it was hard to ignore a feeling of excitement at the idea of spending time together.

He was still the good guy I’d once known. He’d slipped easily into our world without once trying to change it or take over, and for that, I was incredibly grateful. Nor was there any denying that I still felt the attraction that had drawn us together the very first time.

But it was all temporary. Zach was only here until Doc Claypool was well enough to take back over his clinic. Then Zach would return to Charlotte. I wasn’t ready for that. It would be hard enough to navigate those rough waters concerning Iain. If I allowed myself to fall back into those feelings, it would only muddy the waters.

I couldn’t leave Sterling Mill. I had responsibilities for The Dogtrot. Yes, we were doing better financially, but our heads were just now above water. I didn’t want to do anything that would jeopardize that. Besides, I loved my work.

I knew that didn’t mean history was destined to repeat itself, but it would mean making some really hard decisions, and I wasn’t sure I was ready for that. And I had no idea where that left us.

The phone rang in my hand.

“Hello?”

“Good morning, sunshine.” Zach’s rich voice came through the line, sending a little shiver through me.

Oh, why did he have to go back to using my nickname? I couldn’t hold back the little smile that pulled at my lips. “Good morning.”

“Are you busy?”

“Not really. I usually take Monday mornings off.”

“I see.”

“See what?”

“Your lack of response means you were trying to think of a reason to say no to my lunch offer. Hence the reason I called, so I can convince you. “

We’d never spent time together without Iain. “You know Iain’s at school today, right?”

His sigh sounded frustrated. “And that means his mother and I can’t have lunch together?”

“No, but—”

“I thought if we had lunch together without him around, we could figure out a schedule or something so I could still spend time with him.”

“Oh.” That made sense. “I guess so, then.”

His chuckle sent another spark through me. Once upon a time, making him laugh had been a highlight of my days. “Don’t sound so enthusiastic.”

I added my laughter to his. “Sorry.”

“There’s another reason.”

There was?

“Told you a few nights ago, Iain isn’t the only one I want to spend time with. I missed both of you yesterday.”

Oh! “Iain asked where you were this morning.”

“Is he the only one who missed me? Even just a little?”

“Mama mentioned it,” I teased.

His soft chuckle came through the line. “And how about you?”

“I might have noticed you were gone.”

“It’s a start. So…lunch?”

“Okay.”

“There. That wasn’t so hard, was it? Simply Ruth’s? At noon?”

“Sounds good.

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