Page 24 of The Secret Crush Book Club (Peach Blossom #3)

Seventeen

Z oey sighed as she looked at Dani’s latest message.

She had been trying for two days to find some time for them to get together and introduce her to Mason.

Each time, Dani had been busy, leaving Zoey to paste a fake-feeling smile on her face and explain that they wouldn’t be able to get together that day.

If not for showing a picture of Dani to him, she was sure Mason would have thought she was making Dani up.

“Well—”

“Let me guess,” Mason said, cutting her off. “She isn’t able to make it today.”

Zoey winced. “Yeah,” she said finally. “But we can still go ahead to the restaurant.”

Mason shook his head but eventually gestured for Zoey to lead the way.

Once they were in the car, she expected him to say something more but thankfully he remained quiet, giving her time to think.

She was sure that the reason for Dani’s continued absence had to do with Jordan.

Just from the small amount of time that they had been together and from the time that she had observed Dani at the library when she was coming to get Jordan after their esports league, she knew that Dani cared very deeply for her son.

It would stand to reason that being a mom was one of the most important things to her.

It was one of the reasons why Zoey liked her so much.

If that was the reason for their failed meetups, Zoey could extend a little grace.

Once they parked, Zoey sat for a minute in her seat. She knew that she needed to say something to break the awkwardness that she and Mason had fallen into. “She really is busy, Mason. I think maybe your visit just came at a rough time right now.”

Mason sighed and looked over at Zoey. “I know you really believe that, sis, but at the same time what am I supposed to think? All I have to go on are your previous relationships, and those haven’t been the best. I just want you to find someone who is deserving of your loyalty and settle down into everything that you want. ”

“I know,” Zoey agreed. She knew that deep down that was all that her brother wanted for her.

It was all she wanted for herself. She thought that she had found the beginnings of it but with each declined invitation along with Mason’s pessimistic words, Zoey was starting to wonder if maybe she was reading too much into her and Dani’s brief relationship.

They hadn’t even really discussed it to the point that she could even call it a real relationship.

At least, not an exclusive one. “Let’s just get some food and then we can explore Peach Blossom.

I know you think I’m crazy for wanting to stay here but I think if you get out and see what the town has to offer, you might just change your mind and want to move here yourself. ”

Mason laughed but followed Zoey and exited the car. “I don’t think small-town living is for me, but we’ll see.”

Thomas’s diner was happening, as it usually was on a Saturday afternoon. There were a few restaurants in Peach Blossom, but Thomas’s was definitely one of the most popular. Mason looked around, his eyes wide as he took everything in.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen an old school diner in the longest time,” he said. “If the food isn’t amazing here, I’m going to be really sad.”

Zoey chuckled. She knew just how good the food was, so she wasn’t concerned. She was looking forward to having Mason eat his words when it came to small towns not having enough to keep people interested. Sure, it wasn’t Atlanta, but Peach blossom had a lot going for it.

“Oh, shit,” Mason hissed out suddenly. Zoey turned to ask him what was wrong, but he leaned down. “Don’t look now, but I think your pseudo girlfriend is here.”

Zoey looked up at Mason, confused as to what he was talking about. His gaze slid past her and when she followed it, she was startled to realize that he was staring at Dani.

“Oh my gosh.”

“I thought you said she was busy today,” Mason said, his voice growing growly, the telltale sign that he was angry. “If she’s so busy that she couldn’t bother to meet you, why is she sitting here in a restaurant?”

“I don’t know,” Zoey replied. She reached up and wrapped a hand around Mason’s elbow. “Don’t.”

She might as well have not said anything.

Before she could get a good grip on his elbow, Mason was moving toward Dani’s table.

Zoey hurried after him, hoping that she could get in front of Mason and keep him from causing a commotion.

She didn’t need her business to become fodder for the town’s gossip train any more than it already was.

When her and Dani’s gazes connected, Zoey could see panic in Dani’s expression, and she wondered about that.

It wasn’t until Zoey was coming to a halt beside Dani’s table that she realized Jordan was sitting in the booth across from her.

“Hey, guys! Fancy meeting you here,” Zoey said with forced cheerfulness, hoping to cut Mason off at the pass before he said anything untoward. Jordan looked up at her and smiled wide.

“Hey, Miss Zoey. It’s cool that I get to see you here. Sorry that I wasn’t at the esports club last week. I’ll be back this week. I promise.”

Zoey waved off his words and gave him a small smile.

“It’s okay, Jordan. I understand that sometimes you need to take a break.

I’m glad though that we’ll see you this week.

I know your friends were missing you.” Talking to Jordan was easy.

It was turning to look at Dani that was the difficult part.

Zoey could almost feel her brother vibrating at her side and she knew she needed to introduce him before things got out of hand.

“Dani, Jordan, this is my brother, Mason. He’s here to visit me for the next couple days before he leaves to go overseas.”

Dani stood up and held her hand out to Mason. He shook it and Zoey was relieved to see that her expression didn’t change.

“Nice to meet you all,” Mason said. He glanced at Jordan before fixing his eyes on Dani. “I’ve heard a lot about you from my sister. She said you guys have given her a warm welcome to town. I appreciate you all looking out for her while I’m gone.”

Dani nodded. “Well, I know everyone in town is ecstatic to have her here. It isn’t often that we get new blood to revitalize the town.”

That was news to Zoey. She figured that people liked her.

They never seemed to have a complaint about her when she worked with them at the library, but she never really thought about whether or not people cared if she stuck around long-term.

Being in constant flux was the nature of small towns and while she knew Peach Blossom would always have a central group of families, it wouldn’t be surprising if whole familial lines ended up dying out or moving out of the town and closer to a larger city, leaving holes that would never be filled.

“I have a great idea,” Jordan said suddenly. “Why don’t you guys sit with us?”

Zoey glanced at Dani, whose expression was one that she couldn’t distinguish. “Oh, I don’t know. It looks like you and your mom are having a fun little lunch together.”

“No, it’s totally okay. You two are more than welcome to join us this afternoon,” Dani said, surprising Zoey.

“Things have been kind of hectic on our side lately and I’ve missed so many of our get-togethers, so this would be a great way to make up for not being able to see you for the past couple days and to get a chance to meet your brother. ”

“That’s really sweet of you guys. We would totally love to join you.”

Zoey tried to catch Mason’s attention, but he either couldn’t see her, or he was ignoring her as he slid into the booth.

Zoey had no choice but to either slide into the booth or make up some reason for why they couldn’t share.

She decided to give in and slide into the seat after Mason.

Dani sat back down across from her and now they were eye to eye again for the first time in a week.

Zoey didn’t even know what to talk about.

Thankfully, Jordan was just as enthusiastic as always and took the lead in the conversation, engaging Zoey’s brother with questions about being in the military.

“So, where is the coolest place you’ve ever visited?” Jordan asked. Dani would have told him to give Mason some time to order, but Mason seemed just as enthusiastic to talk as Jordan was.

“Thailand, hands down. The beaches were amazing, and the night markets had just about everything you could ever think of eating.” When Jordan asked what a night market was, Mason launched into an elaborate story about wrong turns and food that sounded amazing even to Zoey’s ears.

She couldn’t help but smile when she saw Jordan eagerly hanging on to Mason’s every word.

It made her chest warm that he took to her brother so easily.

It shouldn’t have surprised her though. Mason was great with kids, and they always seemed to be drawn to him with such little effort.

At that thought, she looked across the table in time to see Dani watching Mason and Jordan with a soft smile on her face.

Zoey was slowly coming to terms with just how much she liked Dani as a person and how much she wanted this to work.

Maybe Mason was right and that she fell too hard too fast, but she was all in for now.

She didn’t know how else to be. She didn’t know how to harden her heart until the other person proved they were worthy.

All she knew how to do was give and hope it was reciprocated.

“So, Dani. What do you do?” Mason asked once they had gotten their food, and the conversation had come back around. Dani paused with a fry in her hand before replying.

“I’m a nurse.”

He nodded. “That’s important work. Ever thought about joining the army as a medic?”

“Oh my god, Mason,” Zoey cut in, shaking her head at him. Her lips twisted in a half smile, and she moved to stop him before he started his usual pitch. “Stop trying to recruit people at the lunch table.”

Mason ducked his head, but his eyes were full of mirth as he looked at Dani. “Sorry. Force of habit sometimes.”

Dani waved him off, not seeming the least bit offended. “It’s all good. I haven’t though. It’s just Jordan and I, and Peach Blossom is home. I think my dad would be sad if we had to leave because I got stationed elsewhere. Plus, we have a pretty spectacular library.”

Zoey felt her cheeks warm when Dani’s eyes met hers. She wanted to brush the comment off, but she also didn’t. It was nice to feel like someone wanted you there, especially when you wanted them too.

“The library is pretty great,” Zoey replied. Jordan chimed in, making her laugh.

“And we have an esports league. I used to think libraries were just books and stuff, but it’s pretty cool.”

Mason smirked before glancing at Zoey. “Oh yeah? Do you think you might want to be an author then? Maybe write a few books?”

Jordan shrugged. “I don’t know about that. I don’t know anyone who’s an author.”

“Sure you do,” Mason said. Zoey widened her eyes when she realized what was going on. Before she could tell him not to say anything, Mason had already blurted out her secret. “You have one right here.”

Zoey swallowed hard and fought to keep the smile on her face when Dani turned curious eyes toward her. She had known that eventually she would need to come clean about her second career, but she hadn’t yet figured out a way to divulge it without making things weird.

“You’re an author?” Dani asked.

“Um.” Zoey breathed out, giving Mason a look. The grin he gave her was unrepentant and she knew this must be another one of his little tests. She didn’t know what he was trying to prove this time though. “Well…yes.”

“Cool,” Jordan gushed. “What do you write?”

“Nothing—”

“She writes a lot of things, but all under a pen name,” Mason cut in. “I think the name was Caitlyn Martin, right?”

Silence fell for a moment and Zoey ducked her head as she looked over at Dani. She wasn’t sure what she expected. Maybe admonishment or disbelief. Instead, Dani was nodding encouragingly. It took a moment before her eyes widened.

“Wait. You’re Caitlyn Martin? Award-winning author Caitlyn Martin?”

“Guilty,” Zoey said with a crooked smile.

Dani grinned widely. “Why didn’t you ever say anything? I totally could have had you sign my books.”

Zoey glanced at Mason’s smug expression before shrugging. “I didn’t want to seem like I was bragging or anything. Especially after you told me how much you liked my books. It seemed weird to then mention I was the author.”

Dani nodded. “I can see that. But, brag as much as you want. There’s no shame in shouting out your accomplishments, and having a bestselling book is definitely an accomplishment.”

Mason threw an arm around Zoey’s shoulders. “Isn’t my baby sister the coolest?”

“She is pretty great,” Dani said, her voice going soft as she gazed at Zoey. The look in her eyes was enough to have Zoey’s cheeks heating up and something clenching in her chest. “Can I ask you something?”

Zoey shrugged off Mason’s hold and leaned forward. “Of course. You can ask me anything.” Maybe it was a bit much, but Zoey couldn’t help it.

Dani’s serious expression finally broke when she smirked. “Can you tell me when the sequel to your latest book is coming out? I need to read it as soon as possible.”

Zoey blinked for a moment before beside her, Mason let out a loud bark of laughter. Dani sat back as if satisfied with herself. When bubbles of laughter rose in her chest, Zoey didn’t fight against them, instead giving them voice as the afternoon passed them pleasantly by.