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“Can you hold for a moment? I need to check with Kristy.” It’s the first time I’m inviting a boy home. I’m not sure what the protocol is and if we have some unspoken rule about not having guys over.”
“Of course, he can come over,” Kristy answers before I can ask her.
As I place the phone back to my ear, Zander replies, “I heard her. Message me your address, and I’ll be there soon.”
* * *
It’s been an hour since Zander’s call. I showered and got dressed in my black jeans and checkered white-and-black flannel shirt. When the bell rings, I nervously open the door. And there he is, dressed impeccably as always. Today, he’s wearing a navy-blue striped suit, mauve shirt, and a purple tie. But there are some new tired lines under his eyes.
“Hi,” I whisper.
“Hello, Marr,” he replies with a smile, and some of those worry lines disappear. Taking my hand, he tugs me closer. Caught off guard, I stumble toward him before he steadies me with his hands around my waist.
When I try to pull back, muttering a soft, “I’m sorry” he doesn’t let me go.
My face is only inches away from his broad chest, and I get the first close whiff of the woodsy vanilla scent, which is another of those things that remind me of Zander these days.
“Don’t be.” His amused voice is thick and warm.
We stand at the doorstep with his hand on my waist, gazing into each other’s eyes until Kristy’s holler breaks our trance. “Is that Zander at the door?”
I step back so he can come inside.
Before I can go far, he grabs my hand and intertwines our fingers. I don’t protest. Since last night, I’ve come to realize that I like Zander’s touch. His touch makes me feel safe—safe like I have never felt.
“Hey, Kristy. How are you?” Zander waves to my friend lying on the recliner as we both enter the living room together.
“Hey, boss. We were hoping you could enlighten us on what the hell is going on. But let’s sit first.” As we move to the living area, she sits upright and asks, “Would you like coffee or something?”
Zander settles on the couch and pulls me next to him. “I forgot to mention that Zach and Zane would like to come over with breakfast.” He glances at me for confirmation, and I look at Kristy. I’m still confused about the rules of my one-day-old boyfriend and his brothers coming over.
“What? Will you ask my permission for everything you do with him?” She squints, her eyes shining with mischief.
“No,” I murmur, my cheeks flaming at her question.
Zander puts his arms around my shoulders and pulls me close before looking down at me with his breathtaking smile. He then says, unexpectedly, looking between me and Kristy, “I never noticed you both have identical eye color.”
I giggle as Kristy laughs at his off-tangent remark. “That’s because you were too busy checking my friend out.”
He peers my way once more and arches an eyebrow before turning to Kristy. My insides tingle under his attention.
“My brothers aren’t too pleased with me. They think if I’d handled things better last night, we wouldn’t have such a mess on our hands right now.”
My best friend snickers. “They didn’t like your grand Romeo move?”
“No, they aren’t really Shakespeare fans,” Zander comments back and smiles at me when I giggle. “But they want to personally assure you before leaving that everything is handled, and you don’t need to worry about anything.”
My heart skips a beat at the sweet gesture of his brothers. I smile back at him until I realize what he just said. My eyebrows furrow in confusion. “You’re leaving?” It hasn’t been more than twelve hours since we decided to take it a step further in our relationship and he’s leaving already?
“No, Marr. I can’t go so soon. Can I now?” He smiles his oh so affectionate smile. I can’t believe this handsome man is here for me, even after knowing my truth.
“Okay, boss, tell us what’s going on, and then I’ll leave you lovebirds alone.” Kristy slides from the recliner and sits on the ottoman closer to the couch where I’m huddled with Zander.
“Vanessa is no wallflower. I’ve known her for many years now,” Zander says. He hasn’t released my hand since we walked into the house; it’s as if he’s worried I’m gonna run away.
No chance, mister.
I interrupt him. “Were you and her…ever?”
