Page 106 of Last Fall

I loved that it wasn’t even a question to Wes. “Hopefully no one, if he’s smart. There’s been no contact sincehermove.”

“It better stay that way. No one hurts Pixie and gets awaywithit.”

I shoved Wes into the hallway. “That’s why she’s here. Hedidget away with it.” And that alone was enough to make me want to hunt him down but I didn’t want to unnecessarily upset Zoe when the past wasn’t an issue. “No one stood upforher.”

Wes stared over my shoulder. “Fuckers. Well, she’s got us now and we won’t put up with shitlikethat.”

“Let her know that.” Wes started to push past me so I shoved him back. “Not right now you numb nuts.Naturally. Just, from time to time remind her that we’ve got her back. In conversation like a normalperson.”

“This isn’t just a crushisit?”

I shook my head. “This is as real as it gets.” I’d spent a lot of time this morning with Zoe nestled against my chest remembering my parents. Their love was the kind you could seeandfeel when you were around them. The way they never let each other go or how they always went out of their way to make the other one feel special. Zoe and I had that. I think that’s why my dad was on my mind so often these days. I’d do something, or think something, and hear my dad’s voice instead of my own, like an old echo fromthepast.

It was solid proof that this was it for me. Ma always told me she knew right away that Dad was the one and that one day I’d just know when I’dfoundmine.

She was right. I didn’t have a singledoubt.

“I understand,” Wes murmured, his eyes had shifted from Zoe to Carrie. “When she knocks you on your ass you know you’ve found the woman who’s different than alltherest.”

“And we all love watching Carrie knock you on your ass over and overagain.”

He flicked me off. “Take care of Pixie.” And then without another wordheleft.

I didn’t waste a second getting back to Zoe. I slipped my arms around her and pulled her against me. “Miss me,Darlin’?”

She immediately relaxed. “I did,actually.”

“Good.”

“I’mhungry.”

I jumped right into action. “Let’s get you some food then.” The appetizers were all laid out on the porch against the wall. Guacamole, queso dip, chips and salsa on the left, jalapeño poppers and stuffed peppers on theright.

Zoe shoved a jalapeño popper in her mouth while she piled guacamole and salsa on a plate with a handful of chips. When she was done she grabbed a stuffed pepper and devouredthattoo.

“Don’t choke please. I’m not up to date on my first aid certifications.” She sure could put food away when shewantedto.

“I was so nervous about tonight that I couldn’t eatlunch.”

And now that the nerves had settled she was starving. “Sit.” I was so excited it didn’t occur to me she might be too nervous to eat. “Do you need water? I’ll refill your plate when you’reready.”

“I’m fine, Erik.” She took my hand and it immediately calmedmynerves.

“I’m worriedaboutyou.”

She peeked up at me all soft and sweet. “Thank you for worrying about me. I promise I’ll be fine in a minute. I just neededsomefood.”

I noticed she hadn’t taken more than a sip of her wine. “You’re sure you don’t want some water? It would probably be goodforyou.”

“Sure.”

I moved like lighting. Like this water might save her life. I’m really not sure why I felt this level of panic other than she was my woman and it was my job to make sure she was well taken care of, and as of this moment, I was falling down on thedamnjob.

“Careful Romeo,” Marie cautioned as I flew through the kitchen to the refrigerator. “You don’t do anyone any good with abrokenlimb.”

“Just gettingwater.”

“Oh I canseethat.”