Page 115 of Nothing to Do

“No.”

Though he didn’t look that surprised or question what she meant. Maybe he’d been enjoying the Roman-free zone too.

“That better be true. Thea, would he lie to me?”

“If he’d known, I’d have known.” Though that wasn’t necessarily true given Zane understood her opinion of his cousin. “Are you staying for dinner?”

“Not if I’m crashing your date.”

He’d been there with her for the last two days. It still felt new and thrilling, more so with this domesticity. They complemented each other, she’d never been in a relationship that felt so natural, where routine and intimacy slotted into place without effort. Or she was kidding herself and seeing things that didn’t exist, feeling things that didn’t…

“You’re more than welcome,” Zane said, tossing the pasta and sauce. “We should get to know each other better.”

That was a good sign, and one she welcomed.

“Why did you leave the island?” Alessia asked, seating herself as Thea went to get the wine. “You own it, why would you ever leave?”

“I had meetings,” he said. “And your sister is a powerful lure. We have a wedding to attend this weekend too.”

“A wedding? Whose wedding?”

“A friend of mine,” he said. “His fiancée’s expecting their first child.”

“Is that why they’re getting married?”

“I don’t think Kintyre would appreciate it being put that way.” He brought over the food, while she finished pouring their drinks. “He loves Lilya, very much. They hit it off straight—well, I guess I can’t really say that.”

“Say what?” Alessia asked, accepting her plate. “Oh, wait, Kintyre, you mean Julietta Ines-Kintyre, her ex-husband. Damn, he’s hot.”

“And taken,” she said, sitting when Zane pushed her chair in under her.

“I bet you have a lot of hot, rich friends.”

He descended to his own place. “The number of those single dwindles by the day.”

“Will Roxie be at the wedding?”

“Yep, and her best friend, Jane. My sister-in-law Roux. Merci, Rainie, plenty of women to keep her entertained. I’m not sure they’ve ever been together in one concentrated group.”

That could lead to all kinds of shenanigans. Maybe she should carry cash, in case bail was needed. With Roxie in the midst that wasn’t outside the realm of possibility. Nothing was outside the realm of possibility.

“You have such a cool life. Where do you stay when you’re not on the island?” Alessia asked without giving him time to answer. “Is Roman there? I mean, is he going back? Things must be so difficult for him right now.”

Her eyes met Zane’s. This was maybe something they didn’t want to get into.

“Don’t you think Roman deserves his privacy?” she asked really just as a way to move the conversation along.

Typical Alessia didn’t take the hint. “His video is so bold, so raw. It proves he cares about people.” Mm hmm, yeah, she was keeping her lips sealed. “Hey!” Something struck Alessia that jolted her like a bee sting. “When you get married, will Roman be there? Will he be part of the wedding?”

Keep on eating. Don’t even look Zane’s way. Eyes down.

“In the wedding party?” he asked. “No.”

At least he refrained from saying “not a chance.” Just because they were talking weddings didn’t mean he was referring to her. A sign, that’s what she needed. Something unequivocal from fate, or Zane, and then she’d broach the subject herself… when they were alone.

Alessia flopped. “No? Why no? He’d be a great best man.”

Zane laughed. “Ha, not a chance.”

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