So she noticed, too. Heat climbs up my neck. “Like what?”
“Like he wants to lick every inch of your body.”
Oh God. I clutch the skirt to my middle and sink into the bed beside her. “He’s gorgeous.”
“One hundred percent,” she agrees. “And normally I’d encourage you to jump his bones and have his babies, but this is Zane we’re talking about.” She sighs. “Truth is, I’m worried about him, too.”
“Because of his sister being sick?”
Tessa’s gaze snaps to me. “He told you about that?”
I shrug. “Why, is it a secret?”
“Sort of.” Her gaze hardens. “What else has he told you?”
“Nothing.” I lick my lips, feeling nervous under her scrutiny. “Just that she’s his only family. That she took him in, and looked after him, and now he can’t help her.”
“Oh God, he told you all that?”
“Come on, Tessa, it’s not much. I swear that’s all, and it’s so vague.”
“You don’t understand.” She bites her lip. “You don’t know Zane like I do. You’ve met him only a handful of times.”
“So?”
“So Zane doesn’t open up like that to people he doesn’t know well.”
Yeah, I realized that. “Is that a jab? I’m getting to know him. It takes time.”
“No, I mean he’s letting his defenses down for you. He’s acting weird.”
“So what does it mean?”
“I don’t know. All I know is… This isn’t like him. He’s letting you in. And if you hurt him, that could destroy him.”
***
The bar is dim and noisy. It’s also too warm. The music is a mixture of Latin and pop, and I wince inwardly. Not my kind of thing. But the guys are there, drinking and talking, and I let Tessa lead the way.
Zane isn’t with them. That’s the first thing I notice as we approach their table. Disappointment drapes over me like a leaden blanket. I was really hoping to see him.
“Hey, Dakota.” Ash drags a chair to the table for me. “What’s up?”
“Hey.” I like Ash, especially since he got together with Audrey, and I get to meet him often. He’s a cool guy, quiet and intense, although he smiles a lot more now.
His brother Tyler is there, too, with Erin, and she waves at me. I’ve met their son, the cutest little boy. The way they look at each other makes me shiver. They’re so in love, it’s mind-blowing.
Rafe comes toward us, carrying beers. He slides one in front of me, and I take it without a comment. I don’t have a fake ID, so I’ll take whatever I’m given—at least as far as drinks are concerned. Tessa’s words of warning echo in my head, but I can’t help looking around, still hoping for a certain boy to appear.
“Where’s Dylan?” Tessa asks, scanning the bar as well.
Looks like I’m not the only one disappointed tonight.
“Relax, he’s on his way.” Tyler places his cell phone on the table. “Said he had to run an errand first.”
“He’d better. It’s his birthday we’re celebrating,” Tessa mutters and takes a long swig from her beer.
Whoa. Looks like I’m the designated driver tonight. Which shouldn’t be a problem, but not seeing Zane here makes me want to get plastered and forget how much I want him. How much I like being with him.