Free The Weekday Brides 04 - Single by Saturday by Catherine Bybee

ground.
    “I was starting to think you forgot about us,” Janice said.
    “I’ve had a crazy year,” he told them. Then as if he realized for the first time that his wife stood by his side, he lifted his arm to Karen and invited her into the circle of their family.
    “Mom, this is Karen. Karen, my mom, Janice.”
    Karen smiled, her perfect teeth shining. “It’s a pleasure, Mrs. Gardner.”
    “Oh, Janice. Please.” Zach could see wonder in Karen’s face when Janice pulled her into a hug.
    The girls stood back and let Mike introduce his wife.
    “We’re so excited you’re finally here.”
    “Michael has had a very busy schedule this year. I’ve heard so much about all of you.”
    “Where’s Dad?” Mike asked as he looked around.
    “Closing up the shop,” Rena told him.
    Zach felt Mike’s disappointment. Not that he should have expected anything different. Their father put work first. Almost before his family. It’s just the way it had always been.
    “This is Joe, Rena’s husband,” Mike told Karen.
    Karen was too close to do anything other than shake hands, which appeared awkward for her.
    “And you know Zach.”
    If watching her shake hands with Joe felt awkward, it had nothing on the open arms she presented to him. It was as if she knewthey should be on a somewhat more familiar basis…and she was, but their brief hug did nothing other than remind him of the peach shampoo she used and the overall intensity he felt in her presence.
    The desire to hold her, suck her in, made him hold on a fraction too long.
    She stepped back and didn’t meet his gaze. Instead, she looked beyond him.
    Zach twisted around and tried to focus.
    He cleared his throat. “Mike, Karen…this is Tracey…my girlfriend.”

Chapter Seven

    The entire time Karen sat among the Gardners, all she could see was the one person in the room who wasn’t related by blood or marriage.
    Tracey walked around the home, occasionally placing her hand on Zach’s shoulder to gain his attention, but otherwise acting as if she belonged. She did, and would much longer than Karen.
    Zach had yet to keep eye contact with her for more than a second. Neither of them had forgotten or misinterpreted what had happened in the driveway back in Beverly Hills. As much as Karen wanted to forget that moment, she couldn’t.
    She had no right to feel misled by the fact that Zach had a girlfriend, considering she was the married one, but the feeling was there nonetheless.
    Thank God, they hadn’t kissed. There would be no way she could have walked in the door with Michael if she could taste his brother on her lips.
    The Gardner family home held a spacious living room complete with a fireplace, worn and comfortable sofas, and reclining chairs. Rena had put her daughter down for a nap in one of the upstairs bedrooms, while everyone else gathered in the living room. Karen had yet to see where she and Michael would be sleeping. Shenever made it past the living room before someone suggested she and Michael sit and allow the family to quiz them.
    As Zach had told Karen, Hannah talked obsessively. “I can’t believe you’re finally here,” Hannah told them.
    “I can’t believe you didn’t come sooner,” Rena scolded.
    “Leave the pestering to Mom,” Michael told his sister.
    All eyes moved to Janice. “I’ll pester later. Right now I want to make Karen feel at home.” Janice offered Karen a warm smile.
    “Oh, pester away,” Karen encouraged them. “So few people in Michael’s life give him any grief other than me.”
    The comment managed a few laughs.
    “Thanks for throwing me under the bus, hon.” Michael winked at her.
    “Your ego was always too big for this town,” Zach said.
    “When it gets too big at home, I just tell him to take out the trash and lower the lid to the toilet.”
    “That’s gross, Mike,” Hannah chided.
    Tracey sat on the arm of the couch and placed her arm around Zach’s shoulders.
    Karen skirted her gaze away.
    “How