Page 44 of Here & Now

Marco sighed. “That will never happen.”

“But not from lack of trying.”

“Let’s talk about you instead. How’s your sexy little neighbor?”

Zane bristled. He didn’t want his friend thinking of Bree like that.

Marco smirked. “You’ve got a thing for her.”

“Wrong.”

“It’s written all over your face.”

“I don’t have a thing for her.” He so did.

“If that’s true, I guess you won’t mind if I ask her out.”

Zane’s jaw clenched, and Marco laughed.

“I knew it.”

“Shut up.”

“If you can get on me about Tessa, I can do the same about Bree.”

Zane shook his head. “That’s different.”

“How so?”

“Tessa lives here, and Bree’s just passing through.”

“That never stopped you before.”

Macy came to the table and set down their beers. “Here you go, guys.”

“Thanks,” Zane said, glad for the interruption.

“Are you ready to order?”

Both men ordered the special, fish and chips. After she walked away, Marco picked up where they’d left off.

“Why don’t you ask her out?”

“I can’t.”

“Why can’t you?”

Marco wouldn’t stop badgering until Zane gave him a solid reason. “She just came off a breakup, and I don’t think she’s over it yet.”

“So, help her get over it.”

“It’s not that simple.” Ironically, Bree had said the same thing earlier, but not about this.

“What is it about this woman that has you so balled up?”

A million different things. “She’s been hurt, and I don’t want to take advantage of her vulnerability.”

“Aww, how sweet,” Marco teased.