Page 41 of Stuffed

I do. But I'm the boss. I can move things around.

"Still texting lover boy?" Ivy calls from the kitchen.

"Still eavesdropping?" I joke back.

The morning rushes by in a blur of contractor meetings and supply orders. I'm reviewing paint samples for the last time when my phone rings. I glance down at the screen in surprise; it’s Asher.

"Hey," I answer. He usually calls Ivy.

"Hey, yourself." His voice is warm but hesitant. "Got a minute?"

"Of course. Everything okay?"

He pauses. "It's about Zane."

My stomach drops. "Oh?"

"He's… he's trying, Tessa. Really trying. But Zane…" He sighs. "Let's just say he isn’t known for his emotional availability."

"I'm not asking him to be emotionally available," I say, but we both know that's not entirely true. "I just want him to be real with me."

"I know. And he wants to be. Just… give him time?"

"Time for what? To build his walls back up?"

"To figure out how to be himself with you." Asher's voice softens. "He's never let anyone this close before. Not even in high school."

I think about this morning's kiss. About Saturday's walk. About all the little moments when his guard drops and I see the real him.

"I'm not going anywhere," I say finally.

"Good." I can hear his smile. "Because I think my brother might actually be falling in love with you."

The words hit me hard, making my chest tight. Because maybe I'm falling too. Maybe I've been falling since I was fifteen, watching him from behind my pom-poms.

Chapter 12

Zane

She stands there in an emerald-green dress that makes her eyes sparkle behind those damn glasses. Her hair falls in soft waves past her shoulders, a nervous smile on her face, and she's holding a bottle of wine.

"Hi," she says softly. "I'm early. I couldn't wait."

My heart clenches at her admission. "Me neither." I pull her inside, closing the door before pressing her against it. "You look incredible."

"So do you." Her fingers trace the rolled-up sleeves of my dress shirt. "Who knew domestic Zane could be so sexy?"

I laugh against her neck, breathing in her scent. "I'm full of surprises."

"Mmm, I'm counting on it." She tilts her head, giving me better access. "Though something smells amazing, and for once I don't just mean you."

"Homemade marinara." I reluctantly pull back. "Want to help?"

Her eyes light up. "You're actually going to let me in your kitchen?"

"I'm letting you in everywhere else," I admit roughly. "Might as well complete the invasion."

She follows me to the kitchen, setting down the wine before hopping onto the counter. The dress rides up slightly, revealing more of her thighs. My mouth goes dry.

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