Page 81 of Fall I Want
Zane lifts the lid to the cake. It smells sweet, and he swipes his finger across the icing before placing it in his mouth.
“How is it?”
“Delicious. Try it. The inside is strawberry cream. Best cake in the States.”
I slide my finger across the soft sugar and taste it. Orgasmic—it’s the only way to describe it, but the moan that releases from my throat does it for me.
His brow pops up. “Never been jealous of icing until now.”
I chuckle. “It’s yummy. But we should eat actual food.”
I can’t remember the last time I slept in, but I also haven’t drunk tequila like that since I was in my early twenties. Yes, it’s sleeping in, considering I’m up for work each day at four.
“Would you like to have breakfast with me? We can stop at your place so you can change into something more comfortable.”
“And what if I wanted to show up wearing your clothes?”
“Do you?” He takes a step back, looking me over from head to toe. “I’m down for whatever you’d like to do.”
My eyes slide down him. His head falls back with laughter. “Let’s go eat.”
“Let’s,” I say, and he rushes upstairs. Five minutes later, he’s dressed, grabbing his keys and adjusting the baseball hat on his head. I snag my phone and then we leave.
I’m in awe, driving out of Hollow Manor in the morning. Fog floats and rolls across the road.
“Do you think Harper is right?” I ask as the gate slides open.
“I don’t know.” He glances over at me. “I just want your friendship. Nothing else. No expectations. Just me and you getting to know one another. Being each other’s plus-one to the holiday stuff and having fun,” he explains, making it sound simple.
“What if I meet the man of my dreams while we’re pretending to be together?”
“The man of your dreams?” He kicks the Jeep into drive and we turn onto the main road that leads to town and his words aren’tlost on me. “Bottom line is, I want you to do what makes you happy because that’s what matters most.”
He drops me off at my apartment and parks as I change into some leggings and a sweater, then I grab a baseball hat too. By the time I’m ready, he’s crossing the street, meeting me on the sidewalk full of tourists.
The diner that serves the best breakfast is only four blocks away, so we walk. By some miracle, there are free tables when we enter. The host slides two laminated menus from the large stack of them then guides us to our table.
Zane’s hand is on the small of my back as we move to the booth by the windows. All eyes are zeroed in on us and I look down, making sure there isn’t something on me. I glance back at him and he pops his brows at me, smirking.
We slide in and sit across from one another. I read the menu, even though I don’t need it.
“Is everyone staring?” I ask, scanning over the laminated paper.
“Yes,” he says, not meeting my gaze.
“Do you know why?” I feel like there is a spotlight on our table.
“Who knows?” He shrugs. “It’s like that everywhere I go.”
Our server sets two mugs on the table and immediately fills them with coffee then leaves to give us time.
Zane shoots a wink to several older women beside us who giggle when he moves his attention back to me. The charisma he exudes without even trying. Damn. Men like him are why cults exist. I think I’d join.
“Did you just flirt?” I keep my voice low.
He licks his lips and opens his mouth, but before he can speak, it’s time to place our order.
“An apple cinnamon waffle, bacon, and scrambled eggs.”
