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He finds a dark storefront and pulls me into it.
“Okay, go!”
I don’t do it alone.
He joins me in my wacky happy dance, my Mila’s Musical Moment. He jumps up and down with me and pumps his fist in the air, moving his head at silly angles as he tries to mimic me. I laugh so hard at the sight, my stomach hurts.
He picks me up and twirls me around. “I’m so freakin’ proud of you, Mila Westerman. You did it, you did it.” I slide down his body as he lowers me down, still holding me in his arms. “I’m gonna kiss your face off.”
It’s the kind of thing I expect Zane to say. “Well, there you have it. That’s quite possibly the most romantic thing you’ve ever said to me. Romance is definitely not dead.” I don’t wait for him to initiate the kiss. I initiate it this time, practically attacking him.
He doesn’t seem to mind.
chapter twenty-five
~
THE ELEVATOR DOORSopen, and as I enter the hallway, my step has a bounce to it. The thought of Zane makes me want to skip like a little kid. It’s only been a few days since that amazing kiss in the dark storefront and we’ve already shared similar moments several times.
Kissing Zane is my new favorite thing in the world. I’m so happy, I might burst. If I do, rainbows and sprinkles will fall out of me. Life is that good.
My parents are coming this weekend to hear me play with the symphony. I can’t wait for them to meet Zane. I’ve told my mom so much about him, I imagine she thinks he deserves sainthood.
I hope Zane is already home from visiting his father. I just finished playing for ballet classes and I have the evening off. I can’t wait to spend it with him.
Instead of the usual music blasting through the penthouse, a loud voice meets my ears. Angry. Gruff.
My steps falter. Is that... is that... Ryker? He’s home?
I walk slowly toward the wide-open door of the penthouse. I linger in the hallway, listening to the words the livid voice is saying.
“Did you really think you could get away with this? Seriously, Zane. Who do you think you are?”
ItisRyker. He’s home, and he’s giving Zane a piece of his mind. Guess our secret has become public knowledge.
I move to the doorway. For the first time in my life I lay eyes on the two brothers together, side by side.
Ryker’s in his usual suit, looking refined and polished.
Okay, stuffy. Why didn’t I notice that before?
Zane’s in his signature jeans and t-shirt. Barefoot.
I know where my heart stands. No contest.
This turn of events doesn’t matter, I tell myself. Me and Zane are good. Nothing will change that. The two of us together, we’re strong.Team Mila and Zane. Ryker can’t hurt us.
Ryker is walking around the room as he talks, gathering up every single colorful item Zane and I placed in his penthouse. He’s making a pile on the floor, like he’s collecting the garbage so it can be taken out. I suppose that was expected.
“Did you think I wouldn’t find out? Did you really think you could take what’s mine? How dare you!”
Is he referring to me when he says you can’t take what is mine? I’ve got news for him.
Turns out, Ryker is not a smooth-talking man. That was a façade. He’s an angry, ill-tempered jerk. If I’d married him, I would’ve seen this side of him, no doubt directed at me often. I’m glad I saw it long before I tied myself to him for life. Thank goodness I found Zane, otherwise I would be questioning my judgement with every man I meet from here on out.
Ryker’s handsome features are contorted with rage, making him ugly. I don’t recognize this man. After all the time I spent with him, I truly never knew him. He didn’t reveal himself to me. Conversely, I’ve known Zane for a short period of time, and I feel like I know him inside and out. He’s shown me who he is, and I love him.
Zane’s acting cool and unfazed, leaning his back against the wall, arms folded across his chest. He’s doing what he usually does when he faces Ryker’s temper—calmly waiting for the storm to pass. I adore my diplomatic man.
