Page 73 of Not Until I Found You

“Hey,” Zane’s voice snaps me away from my thoughts, and I glance up to find him standing a few steps away, hands tucked into his pockets.

“Hey,” I echo.

He takes a step closer, his gaze searching mine. “What did you think about it all?”

“I had a good time.”

His shoulders ease as he asks, “Yeah?”

“Yeah. Edna might be my favorite person.”

“She’s everyone’s favorite.” Zane chuckles before adding, “I’m glad you came.”

“Me too.” And I mean it.

Zane nods toward the door. “Are you ready to head out?”

I glance around the room one last time before I reply, “Yeah.”

The humid night air wraps around us the second we step outside, thick with the scent of summer and freshly cut grass. Zane and I walk side by side toward his truck, not quite touching but close enough that I’m aware of him with every step.

“Do you want to come back with me on Sunday?” he asks.

I stop walking now that we’re next to his truck. He must sense the way my body tenses, because he moves closer, until we’re lined up completely. He reaches out and takes my hand.

“Yeah,” I reply, my voice almost a mere whisper.

A grin kicks up one corner of his mouth as his eyes settle on me and he leans forward. For one reckless second, I think he might kiss me. The thought blindsides me, especially when I don’t move away. In fact, I find myself waiting for him.

His eyes flick briefly to my lips before he reaches past me and pulls open the passenger door.

“Oh.” Heat rushes to my face as realization crashes over me.

I climb into the truck, the seat warm from the sun, and stare out the windshield while my thoughts tumble over themselves. Was I really about to let Zane kiss me? The answer comes far too quickly.

Yes.

My stomach flips as I realize that a part of me wishes he had—which is exactly why I need to be careful. I spent years building my life around Derek, even putting my degree on hold because I thought our future mattered more than my own dreams. I won’t do that again. Especially when Zane and I aren’t even together.

We’re friends. New friends, at that. Whatever is growing between us is still fragile and undefined, and I refuse to make life-altering decisions based on feelings I barely understand, no matter how much I’ve fallen in love with Covewood lately. College matters too much. So, no matter how badly a small part of me wishes I could stay in Covewood longer, I already know what has to happen. At the end of summer, I have to go back to Westbridge.

The thought should bring me some relief. Instead, it settles heavily inside me, as though my heart and my head can’t agree on what’s right anymore.

Chapter Seventeen

Zane

Getting a half day at work during the summer is rare, but it’s desperately needed. As soon as I got home and took care of Sven, I collapsed onto the couch. As I’m starting to drift into the most glorious sleep, my front door flies open. Sven jumps to his feet, barking wildly as someone barrels inside.

“Uncle Z! Wake up!”

Annabelle launches herself at me, wrapping her small arms around my neck and squeezing tightly. I grunt as she nearly knocks the air from my lungs. Behind her, Ryland and Raine step inside, each carrying several bags and wearing matching apologetic smiles. When Annabelle finally loosens her grip, she drops to the floor and bursts into giggles as Sven licks her cheek. His tail wags so hard his whole body swings side to side.

“You didn’t forget, did you?” Raine asks as she sets down some grocery bags onto the kitchen island.

“There’s no way he did,” Ryland says from behind her. “I reminded him over an hour ago, before I left the job site.”

With a groan, I push myself upright and scrub a hand over my face. “I didn’t forget. I thought I might be able to squeeze in a nap before y’all got here.” I glance between them. “Clearly, that failed.”