Page 16 of Here & Now

“It’s on the house.”

She shook her head. “No thank you.”

He chuckled. “I insist.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m being neighborly?”

She tilted her head, and her ponytail swung over her shoulder. “What’s the real reason?”

He liked her spunk, but he doubted she wanted to hear that. “Accept the bike as my apology for last night. You shouldn’t have had to sit there and listen to that.”

Her eyes went wide. “I should be apologizing to you. I should have gone inside the minute I heard you come out.”

“I guess we’re even, then.”

Marco poked his head out the door. “Zane, I could use some help. The credit card reader is acting up again.”

“Be right there.” Zane turned back to Bree. “Keep the bike as long as you want.”

“Thanks.”

He nodded and started to walk away.

“Zane?”

He paused, liking the sound of his name on her lips.

“Yeah?”

“In answer to your question, yes, I’m wearing sunscreen.”

His mouth split into a grin, and he gave her a thumbs up. She hopped on the bike and rode off, and he stood there for a few seconds and watched her go.