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“Bean. I meant what I said last night. I love you.”
“I know you do. I love you too.”
Although I don’t understand how things will work out for the best, for once, I feel content.
Like I'm exactly where I'm meant to be.
Ryland’s phone beeps, and he looks at the screen. “I need to take it.”
I nod, then help myself to another buttery croissant from the buffet while I wait.
By the time I’ve eaten the pastry, washing it down with another cup of coffee, I begin to worry. What’s taking so long?
Ryland
All I can think about is Sabine. She’s my everything, and I’m never letting her go.
I need to call Zane and tell him I’ve fallen wildly, madly, deeply in love with his sister and can’t live without her.I’m sure he’ll be thrilled and welcome me into the family with open arms.
Yeah, right.
Zane’s reaction will be what it is. I hope to reach him before he sees the paparazzi photos with that wicked headline and thinks the worst of me.
The work call takes longer than expected, but when it ends, I head to the restroom.
On the way back from the men’s room, I’m shocked to see Zane blocking my exit. I freeze under Zane's piercing glare. My feet feel like lead weights.
“What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be in--”
He holds a hand up to stop me, a scowl on his face.
“Why didn’t you answer when I called? I tried a bunch of times. I called Sabine too, but you already know that.”
It's my responsibility to tell Zane, but the situation is awkward as fuck. I was hoping to break the news gently, under better circumstances.
Glancing at my watch, I break eye contact. “Yeah, about that. I was going to call after breakfast.”
“I took the first available flight home when I saw the photos of you and my sister.”
“I see.”
I'd played out this scenario in my head many times, yet no rehearsing could prepare me for how uncomfortable it would be.
“What the fuck, Ryland? One day, you’re dating an actress, and the next, my sister? What’s with you? You’ve never behaved like a man whore before. Why did you have to do it with Sabine, of all people?”
I’m speechless. I stand rooted to the spot, staring at my best friend, unable to speak. I’ve repeatedly played this scenario over in my head, but I never imagined it like this.
“Seriously? Are you just going to stand there and gawp? Don’t you have anything to say for yourself?” he asks.
Zane turning up at the hotel unexpectedly has blindsided me. He must have been watching us while we were eating breakfast, or he wouldn’t be following me to the men’s room in this part of the hotel.
But his level of fury tells me there’s more to the story.
“How long have you known?” I ask.
“I had my suspicions at the wedding, but after you ran into each other at the airport—I don’t know how to explain. It was just a feeling.” He shakes his head, and there’s sadness in his voice. “I thought I was imagining things until I saw the pictures.”
“Fucking photographers.” I shake my head.
