Page 74 of 10 Things I Hate About Zombies

‘You look perfectly cute. Like a sleepy raccoon.’

She bopped him on the arm. ‘Rude. It’s not my fault I was otherwise occupied and didn’t have time to remove my eye makeup.’

‘Exhaustion from prolonged physical exertion will do that.’

Zoey raised an eyebrow. ‘Did I sleepwalk up Mount Tabor last night? Because I don’t recall that.’

‘Cruel. Frog and Toad banner outside her door aside, she’s a cruel woman.’

Zoey touched the newly healed tattoo on Nick’s wrist. ‘I must not be a true fan. I don’t even bundle up cookies in a basket and call it self-control. I just eat them.’

‘Spoken like a true Toad.’

‘I am definitely a true Toad.’ She sighed, forcing herself to pull away from him. ‘Okay, smoothie shop calls. Those fruits won’t blend themselves.’

‘And think of all the new customers you’ll have today after the freebies we handed out yesterday. They’ll be busting the door down.’

‘A business owner can dream.’

‘But first …’ He pulled her back over. ‘Do we have time before you go?’

Zoey grinned as she straddled him. ‘I set my alarm half an hour early for a reason. Alice, look away.’

‘I’ll see you tonight? My sisters are stoked to finally meet you.’ Nick tucked a strand of hair behind Zoey’s ear, his dark eyes crinkling at the corners the way they always did when he stared down at her. She loved that he loved what he saw. Even if what he saw was bedhead, smudged mascara and a light dusting of sleep-induced cheek drool. Especially if that was what he saw. The man had terrible close vision, but excellent taste. And very sexy reading glasses, so no complaints at all, really.

‘You’ve been singing my praises, hmm?’

‘You know I don’t sing,’ huffed Zoey.

‘Not even “Come On Eileen”?’ Nick feigned being shot through the heart. ‘I almost broke it out at the slam-poetry night, what with the way they were laying down those monotone beats.’

He shook his head at the memory.

‘All right, let’s do the thing where we’re responsible adults.’ With a big sigh that mimicked the one that Alice had just unleashed, he hauled himself out of bed. ‘I’ve gotta get to the market early, or your Punk Broc guy is going to take my spot.’

Zoey gasped in indignation. ‘Kenard would never!’

‘No, you’re right. It’s always that blonde girl with the lentils Aurora? Aura? Audiophile? Something like that. I just didn’t want to make you jealous.’

‘I don’t get jealous. I’m extremely grounded. Although if you dare sell my mushrooms to anyone else …’

Nick held up his hands in surrender. ‘Wow, she means business. I have your flyers. I promise to direct any thirsty mushroom lovers your way.’

‘That’s my guy.’

At the threshold of the sharehouse, Zoey stood on her tiptoes to kiss him. They still hadn’t quite figured out how to manage the height difference, although it only really mattered when they were vertically oriented. And besides, there was always a mossy step or a large rock or a functional sculpture nearby. Or Nick could do the Bambi thing with his legs that cracked her up.

Their kiss was the mix of sweet and fiery that she adored. She still hadn’t devised a word for it – what was the spicy equivalent of umami? There was definitely a restaurant critic for Eater Portland who’d stolen a good term from German. She’d have to google it.

Alice barked a reminder from over by the truck.

‘Sorry, Alice,’ Nick and Zoey said simultaneously, wistfully breaking up the kiss.

‘We’ll revisit that later,’ promised Zoey.

‘Circle back,’ agreed Nick.

‘Touch base again.’