“Thanks for inviting Izzie to come along. I know you did it to make me feel better and I appreciate it. It’ll be nice to have a few people in my corner.”
Jamie glances away, obviously uncomfortable with the praise. “It’s no big deal. I want you to be happy. You have the right to be with who you want. If Zack is that guy, then I’ll do whatever I can to help you out.”
I leave him in the kitchen staring into space, probably wondering how he got roped into entertaining Izzie’s crazy ass for the night.
†
Zack still hasn’t arrived by the time Izzie and Jamie leave. The extra time allows me to pin my hair up in a more complicated knot than usual and curl the tendrils of hair around my face. He likes my hair loose so I’ve left the front a little more messy than usual so the updo doesn’t look so stiff.
I’m wearing a shimmering blue gown with the silver Louboutin sandals my mother gave me for my birthday. The dress is cut conservatively but slips and slides over my curves in a way that always makes me feel sexy.
The extra time is going to be so worth it when I see Zack’s face. Although when I open the door at his knock, the shock is on me. Zack stands in the doorway wearing a black tuxedo that looks perfectly fitted. With his dark hair slicked back, I almost don’t recognize him.
He raises his eyebrows when he sees my shock. “Pretty fancy for a mechanic, huh?”
I lick my lips appreciatively. “I’ll say. Very impressive.”
He holds out his arm and escorts me down the driveway.
“Where’s your car?” I ask after we’re on the way. He’s driving Gabe’s sleek black Audi R8 instead of his usual car.
“I figured it might be a bit much for the country club crowd. Disappointed?”
“You know it. I love that car.”
“We had a new customer come in looking for some custom updates on a Venom GT.”
He snickers as I almost break my neck swiveling in my seat. “Are you serious? Do you think they’d mind if I took pictures?”
“I’m sure he wouldn’t but I’ll ask.” He chuckles at my excitement.
After hanging out with him and Gabe for so long, it’s only natural that I fell in love with cars right along with them. Jim started teaching them about cars after he caught them trying to steal one of his. Luckily he took an interest in two fatherless boys instead of turning them in to the cops.
By the time I met them, they were both already proficient mechanics. I remember plenty of weekends tagging along with them to the garage where Jim worked back then.
We pull up to the front of the club and one of the valets opens my door. I accept his hand to get out of the car without tripping over my dress. Zack meets me and together we walk through the entryway and into the ballroom. It’s been decorated with tons of white roses, my mother’s favorite flower.
As soon as we enter the room, I see my parents. My father is in a dove gray tuxedo and mom’s dress is a deep violet that complements him. When she sees us, her lips tighten. She taps on my father’s arm to get his attention and they move toward us.
“Hi, Mom. Dad. Happy Anniversary.” I greet them both with a hug.
“That dress is very becoming, Josie.” It’s rare to get a compliment from my mother and the fact that she’s making an effort to be pleasant is a relief.
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Hi pumpkin. Have you been here long?” My father glances at Zack standing just behind me after he returns my hug.
A burble of laughter threa
tens to spring from my throat as I realize he probably had no idea I broke up with Perry. Very little penetrates through to him unless it’s relevant to his business.
“We just arrived. Mom, Dad, you both remember Zack Marshall?”
“Zack. Of course. Of course.” Dad recovers quickly from his befuddlement and shakes hands with Zack heartily enough.
My mother smiles tightly but doesn’t offer her hand. “Hello again, Zachary.”
“Lovely to see you, Mrs. Harlow. Happy anniversary.”