Page 27 of In Your Wake

I’m sure if Mitch had asked, Robyn never would have told him the truth. I love the woman to death, but she’s always overprotected that boy.

“It’s more than that, Max.” Zayne puts his bowl on the table, then leans back against the couch, patting his thighs.

I’ve known Zayne since he was a kid, back when I used to babysit him twice a week while his mother worked night shifts at the hotel. Once he started working here part time, we became a lot closer, and now he’s my best friend. More than that, he’s family. As close to me as my brother, Hunter. A million times closer to me than my sister Tina, who spends her time ignoring us while she lives in Hallstead with her upper-class family.

I sigh, settling my bowl next to Zayne’s, then lean back, dropping my socked feet onto his lap.

He massages my arches. “This has to be messing with you.”

“It’s not messing with me at all.”

Zayne levels me with his doubtful glare. “Should I get a shield for all the bullshit you’re throwing my way?”

“Fuck off.” I drop my head back and focus on the amazing pressure of Zayne’s thumb digging into the flesh of my foot.

Whenever he finds the love of his life, they’ll be the luckiest person in the world, if only because they’ll benefit from the infamous Zayne Cardoso foot rubs.

“I had dinner with Robyn and Bill,” I explain. “Mitch was there. They told us we’re both getting ownership of the inn when Bill…” I let my words drift. Parched, I reach for my water and swallow a few sips.

“They’re giving you the inn?” Zayne asks, his shock obvious.

I nod, worrying my lip between my teeth.

“That’s huge.” With a kind gaze, he watches me as if he’s reading my mind. “But you’re not happy about it.”

“Why would I be happy?”

He looks at me like the answer is obvious. “With Mitch here, you’d have someone to help. To lift some of the burden from your shoulders.”

“Burden? I’m handling things.”

“I’m not saying you’re not. But he could make things a tad easier.” He tilts his head. “Don’t deny it.”

I look away. “Maybe.”

“And it doesn’t hurt that he’s fine as hell, too.” Zayne squeezes his eyes shut, shaking his head and biting his lower lip. “You never told me how tall he was. And how… thick.”

“Thick? He’s not thick.” I chuckle, nudging him in the ribs with my free foot.

“Girl, let me tell you what. That boy is a big boy,” he says, tickling my foot.

Once I’m done giggling, I take a deep breath. “I wouldn’t know.”

But I have an idea.

He switches to work on my other foot. “TV does not do him justice.”

“You liked what you saw?” I arch a brow, slightly amused by Zayne’s reaction.

“Who wouldn’t?”

“Meh,” I reply, with a shrug.

“Meh?” His jaw drops as he pinches my toe, forcing me to wriggle. “Maxine Nolan. Only a blind person wouldn’t like that burly package. And you’re absolutely certain he’s straight? Like all the way?”

I can’t help but laugh, shaking my head. “You’ve got a crush!”

“No, I’m just saying if you’re not interested, I’ll take him off your hands.”