Page 38 of Here & Now

“Look, Zane…”

“I’m not playing a game with you.”

“Okay.”

“I like you, Bree. Sorry if that disturbs you.”

She sighed and looked down at her sandy toes.

“I know you’re not here for very long, and I get that you’re hurting. I’m just trying to be a friend.”

She slowly lifted her gaze to his, and an interminable amount of time passed before she spoke. “Okay.”

This “okay” sounded better than the previous one, and he smiled. “Good.”

“Thanks for doing the interview.”

“No problem.” Then, because he didn’t want to push her any further, he said, “Have a good night.”

“You too.”

He turned and started walking away.

“Zane?”

Surprised, he turned back around. “Yeah?”

“Do you want to read the article before I submit it?”

His smile was so big it hurt. “Love to.”

“Okay, then. Goodnight.”

She strode up the walkway to her house, and he stood there, staring after her with a satisfied grin.