Page 25 of Fractured Fear

I want to bury my face in the sand and hide for the next century when Iris gives them both a once over. She’s trying to suss out who the story she heard from Hayes is about. She notes Rio’s clay covered clothing and then zeroes in on my chest. A quick glance downward and I see that everyone can still see the outline of a handprint over the top of my breasts.

Shit.

I know her perfectly shaped brow being raised the way it is isn't to judge me, but becauseshe wants clarification, and there is no way I'm giving that to her right now. I give her the same look from earlier, but thankfully this time she heeds my sign.

Moving on to another subject, she asks, “What is that deliciousness I smell?”

“Zane brought Chinese.”

“Oh did he?” The sudden change of expression on her face lets me know the devil on her shoulder has taken over. “Zane, do you want some dessert with your lunch?”

Zane slides his hands into his pockets and squints. “Sure.”

“I’m sure Spencer could spread?—”

“Okay!” I shout. “And on that note, we’re going to go.” I grasp each of their arms and pull them into the breakroom with me.

“This is cozy,” Rio comments.

“Um, thanks.” I tuck a wayward lock of hair behind my ear.

Rio immediately makes himself at home by spreading out the food on the table for us to share. Zane places a guiding hand on the small of my back that makes my skin heat. That same spark from the other day is still there.

Nice to know I didn’t imagine it.

Zane pulls out my chair and tucks it in behind me while Rio plops the container of yummy poultry in front of me.

“How did you…”

“You practically salivated when Zane said ‘Kung Pao chicken.’”

“You okay with just eating out of the containers?” Zane asks courteously.

“Yeah. Less dishes.” I hate dishes just as much as I hate cooking.

Rio scoots his chair right next to mine so we’re touching shoulder to hip. It takes every bit of focus to ignore him and concentrate on eating.

We all fall into an easy rhythm of taking a few bites and passing the white boxes. I practically leap into a food coma as the hangry beast inside is satisfied.

Rio eats like he’ll never see food again. How can he eat like he eats, but still look how he looks?

“I’m going to go. I have work to get to.” Standing from his chair, he gives me a kiss on my cheek and I swear my face turns into a tomato.

Physically, my heart can only handle so much from this man. He needs to slow down before his forward nature puts me in an early grave. Right now, my heart is working overtime especiallysince Zane is looking right at us as Rio plants his lips on my cheek. “I’ll see you next week, Mama. Thanks for lunch, Z.”

When the door closes behind Rio with a snick, the discomfort surrounding my body intensifies. Zane didn’t do anything wrong, but I feel like I did. He didn’t look upset by the simple kiss, but he still saw it.

Is he secretly pissed about it? Is he mad at Rio? Does he regret coming back? Rio implied earlier that Zane just wanted an excuse to see me. Are they fighting over me?

Why do I even care? I shouldn’t. I’m a grown ass woman and can do what I want. I don’t want to be the source of contention between the two, but I can’t control what they do.

While I stew in my spiraling anxiety, Zane takes Rio’s seat next to me. Now it’s Zane’s hip and shoulder against mine and I cannot shift my attention to anything else. Not my to-do list, not my upcoming exhibit. Nothing.

My body tingles from his touch. I’m sure he just doesn’t want any conversation between us to become awkward because of how far apart we were sitting, and he can’t move the chair because then that would acknowledge he knew Rio was right against me the whole time. I know mine and Rio’s touching shoulders were visible, but denial is my current home, and I’ll die here if I have to.

The silence that continues doesn’t dull my inner panic, but I keep eating as if nothing is amiss.

A huge swirl of Chow Mein tries to escape my fork as I attempt to get it in my mouth. That’s the moment Zane chooses to finally speak.

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