Page 94 of Here & Now

“If you don’t mind, we’re conducting business,” Scott said, pasting on a fake smile.

“Business, huh?”

“Zane,” she warned.

“Is that how you get people to sign with you, take them to a fancy restaurant and buy them dessert?”

Scott glared at him. “I suggest you leave us alone.”

“Or what?”

“Zane, don’t,” Bree demanded. “We’re almost done here.”

Scott looked from Bree to Zane. “How do you two know each other?”

“We’re neighbors,” Zane replied. They were so much more than that, but it was none of Scott’s business.

“For now,” Scott sneered.

Zane wanted to punch the guy.

Bree placed her hand on his forearm and squeezed. “I’ll talk to you later, Zane.”

He was being dismissed. He gazed at her for a few beats, and seeing no other option, he begrudgingly returned to his table. Marco stared at him as he slid into his seat.

“What happened?”

Zane shook his head. “Let’s get out of here.”

“What about dessert?”

Zane glared at Marco, who raised his hands in defeat. “Never mind.”

“I’ll pay, and then we can go.”

“I already took care of it.”

“Why?”

“You were busy. Besides, I wanted to let the waiter know we aren’t a couple.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes, and as a result, I got this!” Marco held up a scrap of paper with a phone number written on it.

“The waiter’s number?”

“You’re hilarious. No, the hostess.”

Like there’d been any doubt.

While Zane had been making a fool of himself in front of Bree, Marco had scored with a complete stranger. The entire situation was unbearable. “Let’s go.”

Zane cast one last look across the room and saw Bree and Scott standing next to their table. He was dying to know what they were saying, but she’d made it clear it was none of his business.

I never should have come here tonight, he thought as he and Marco started walking out. Who was the bigger ass, Scott or me?

Marco was right. It wasn’t like him to get so riled up over a woman. He’d spent one night with her, and he’d already acted like a jealous idiot. He couldn’t blame her for being annoyed with him; he was annoyed with himself too.