Page 40 of Heart Thief

Actually, I’m filled with trepidation. “Okay,” I say anyway.

Zane takes me to the City View restaurant. It boasts white tablecloths, elaborate Chinese décor, Chinese music playing softly in the background, and small carts holding the much talked about dim sum Zane is so crazy about.

It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. “This is seriously amazing.” I’m having a hard time containing my smile.

He mimics celebratory dance moves from his seated position. “Score. I made Mila happy.”

His casual nature makes me laugh. I’m trying not to stare too deeply into his eyes. I’m drawn to them, like they’re magnets. Does he feel something between us? Or is he simply being nice to his possible future sister-in-law?

The thought is akin to pouring cold water over my head. Especially when he breaks our eye contact. Every time.

We’re just friends. That’s all, I remind myself.

“My dad used to take me here. While we ate, he’d tell me stories about my mom. I loved it.”

“Tell me one. I’d love to hear more about your mother.”

His eyes brighten, pleased with my interest. “They met in college. Every day during lunch hour, she would be sitting on a bench reading a book. He noticed her for weeks before he gathered up the courage to approach her. He said he knew she wasthe oneafter speaking with her for five minutes. That’s all it took, and he knew. Just like that.”

“That’s beautiful. I wish it were that easy.”

“Maybe it is.”

Help me, every time he looks at me, I feel like I’m drowning in his chocolate eyes. After last night, I can still imagine the sensation of his hands gently running through my hair. And I want him to do it again. “It isn’t.”

“You must’ve known Ryker was the right one, enough to move in with him.”

Stunned, I correct him. “Ryker and I don’t live together. I moved in after he left for Japan because he asked me to be his caretaker. I’m a wait-for-marriage kind of girl. It’s how I was raised and those beliefs have become a part of who I am.” I press my lips together, unsure why I’m sharing such personal information. All at once, it’s important that he knows my relationship with Ryker didn’t progress that far. Not sure if I want to examine my feelings over the matter too closely.

His expression softens. “Oh, I apologize. I didn’t know.”

Zane looks down and doesn’t comment further. To do so would be traveling into uncomfortable territory, a place called Rykerland. I don’t want to talk about him, either. I’m not positive I know where we stand right now. Everything feels wrong between us. After investing ten months into our relationship, I hate that we’re falling apart.

But we are. Crumbling at the foundation. I’ve felt it for a while now, ever since the non-proposal.

Zane is spontaneous and fun and... I’m so confused. My stomach is tingling, my heart’s beating on double time, and my cheeks are permanently flushed. I’m not sure what I’m feeling, but I like it. I don’t want this day to end.

Zane returns to the subject of his mother. “Dad told me my mom had the softest heart of anyone he’d ever known. When she loved someone, she loved them fiercely and unconditionally.”

“She sounds lovely. I wish I could’ve met her.”

“Physically, she had a weak heart. She had to limit her activities or the stress on her heart would be too much. The doctors advised against pregnancy, but she wanted a child, so she decided to do it anyway.”

Wow. He’s a product of the most selfless love known to mankind. “She gave her life for you.”

“She did. I don’t remember her but somehow, I’ve always felt loved by her. The sacrifice she made for me, it... changes me every day of my life.”

Underneath his casual exterior, Zane is deep. After expecting him to be the unpleasant, untrustworthy thief, it’s a nice discovery. “I get that.”

“She died of heart failure in her sleep.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Dad says she loved too much. That’s what killed her.”

“I don’t believe that. You can never love too much.”

“He always told me her heart was overworked because she gave away so much love. He said so much love passed through the walls of her heart, it made it burst.”

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