Silence fell between them. Their conversations had never been stilted, so why did the silence feel wrong, now? Because he was keeping secrets, and so was she. Why did she have to hook up with Archer? Again.
Not that Zane deserved a say in who Riley dated... And they never made him take sides, but it still made things awkward. “What else have you been up to?” he asked.
She clenched her jaw for the briefest of moments before her playful smirk returned. “There’s not a lot to tell. Kenzie landed herself a sexy rich guy—you got a wedding announcement, right?—so I took over her condo payments. I’m thinking about buying it.”
Which sounded fantastic, except for one teensy, tiny thing. “You hate living alone.”
“I’m a big girl now. I can handle the scary noises. Speaking of...” She fiddled with her keys for a moment, before she finally pulled one from the ring. She leaned over the table and dropped the single key into his shirt pocket. “You’re always welcome to stop by. It might be more comfortable hanging out at my place.”
His cock stirred, and a desire seared over him when she glided her hands over his chest, and the way she bent at the waist gave him a fantastic view down the front of her shirt. Oh, so many shared fantasies.
She dropped back into her seat, toying with her hair, her gaze flitting everywhere. That felt out of place. It was like a dim image of what he remembered, but someone had missed something in the forgery. Her subtle discomfort didn’t sit well with him. “Aren’t you and Archer talking?”
Most couples that broke up tended to not speak, but Riley and Archer were different. They always made up when they weren’t involved.
She turned her attention back to her drink. “We’re working on it. It’s still awkward, but friendship first. Right?”
“Always.” Zane wouldn’t overthink her question. Wouldn’t wonder if she was talking about Archer, or about what she and Zane got up to.
*
THIS WAS WHY RILEYnever wanted to date Zane. She couldn’t handle their friendship fracturing the way hers had with Archer. No one knew her better than Zane. She was so glad to have him back, she wasn’t giving him up again.
Except this wasn’t the Zane she hung out with years ago. The difference wasn’t distinct, but he seemed more formal around her. Less at ease. And instinct told her it wasn’t only because of the Archer mistake.
Please don’t let it be the cybersex.The last thing she needed was to drive away her best friend because their online conversation got a little—or a lot—intense. Maybe once they got comfortable with each other again, it wouldn’t be a big deal.
She and Zane had flirted since before they were old enough to realize they were doing it, and once upon a time, she thought he’d be her Prince Charming. She figured out years ago their relationship didn’t work that way. He was the one man she felt comfortable saying that about. She could tease him all she wanted, and he gave as good as he got, but it didn’t mean anything romantic.
“Does this wholefriendship firstthing mean I’ve lost my chance?” Zane stuck out his lower lip in an exaggerated pout, teasing dancing in his pale eyes.
As if. She laughed and shook her head. “Even if you didn’t mean too much to me to just be some random hookup, I’m trying to change. I’m done falling for every guy who smiles at me.”
“So, what? You’re never dating again? Things might get a little lonely in the bedroom... You sure you can hold out?” Of course he had to go there.
Not that she minded the playful banter. This was so much better than sidestepping conversational landmines. “I’ve got a good vibrator. I’ve also got a lot better grasp on my desires than you and your so-calledcelibacy. We both know how not true that is.”
His tiny smirk defied his attempt to look innocent. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I haven’t been with anyone since— Well, you know.”
And... moment ruined.He meant Sabrina, the Air Force girlfriend. She still didn’t know why he thought sleeping with a superior officer was a good idea. Riley studied him—the sturdy set of his jaw, the scruff of probably two days’ worth of beard.God,he was sexy. “I didn’t mean physically.”
“Ah. Right.” The corner of his mouth quirked up in a half-grin.
Riley was referring to all the times one of them had been lonely or horny, and their conversations became more than casual banter. “I’m guessing it’s easier to hold out when you’ve got someone on call who you can talk dirty to.”
“If you’re saying that to cite my lack of willpower, I wasn’t always the one asking.”
“Whatever. Now that you’re back, the tail is going to be throwing itself at you. You won’t need me anymore.” It was supposed to be a teasing comment. Tossed out without meaning. But the words tasted sour in the back of Riley’s throat.
“I will always and forever need you.”
His reassurance burrowed deeper than she expected, reassuring and soothing nerves she hadn’t realized was exposed. “Me too. I mean—“
“I know what you mean.”
Of course he did. That was part of who they were. And now they could get back to normal. No worries.