Page 35 of Stuffed

"Why did you ask me here?"

She takes a sip of her coffee, studying me over the rim. "Because I like spending time with you. Even when you're being difficult."

"I'm not being difficult."

"No? Then why are you sitting all the way over there?"

I glance down, realizing I've pushed my chair as far back as possible. With a muttered curse, I lean forward.

"Better?" I ask dryly.

"Much." She props her chin on her hand. "Now, are you going to tell me what's really bothering you?"

"Nothing's bothering me."

"Liar." She reaches across the table, touching my hand. "Talk to me, Zane. Please."

The genuine concern in her voice breaks something in me.

"I don't know how to do this," I admit roughly. "Any of it."

"Do what?"

"This. Us. Whatever this is." I gesture between us. "I don't do relationships, Tessa. I don't do… feelings. I have in the past and I got burned or the other person got burned. The only thing I know how to prioritize is work.”

"But you feel something," she presses gently. "Don't you?"

I stare at our hands, still touching. "Yes," I whisper.

"Then that's enough." She squeezes my fingers. "We can figure out the rest together."

"It's not that simple."

"Why not?"

I pull my hand back, running it through my hair. "Because I'll ruin it. I'll ruin you."

"I'm stronger than you think."

"It's not about strength." I meet her eyes. "It's about… I don't know how to be what you need."

"I need you to be honest with me," she says simply. "That's all. Just… real."

"Real," I repeat, testing the word. "I can try."

Her smile is like sunshine breaking through clouds. "That's all I'm asking for."

We sit in comfortable silence for a moment, watching snow fall outside. Finally, I ask, "So, these vendor contracts…"

She laughs, bright and genuine. "Really? That's what you want to talk about?"

"No," I admit, "but it's safer than what I actually want to say.”

"Which is?"

I take a deep breath, forcing myself to meet her eyes. "That you terrify me. That I think about you constantly. That I…" I trail off.

"That you what?" she whispers.

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