Zane’s temper rose again. “Not your decision, probably not my job, and realistically doesn’t look like it’s happening any time soon.”
“Right. Keep lying to yourself.”
“Why are you so focused on my relationship with Riley?” Zane raised his voice and winced, drawing his emotions back under a tight leash when a few more nearby heads turned. Fortunately, the party had thinned considerably, and the band was still loud enough that not a lot of people heard.
“She means the world to Kenzie. So in turn, she means the world to me.”
Zane gritted his teeth. “You don’t have any idea what that means.”
“Really? You’re going to tell me on my own wedding day that I don’t know what love is? I’m not getting into that pissing match.” Scott extended his hand. “I won’t mention her again. Call me in two weeks.”
Zane reluctantly shook his hand and nodded over Scott’s shoulder. “Thing is, it doesn’t matter how I feel if she doesn’t feel the same.”
Riley was pushing out a side door with Archer, the two standing close, heads bowed together.
Scott’s smirk faded for the first time that night. “I’m sorry.”
“Me too. Enjoy Cancun.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Zane lay in bed, staringat the ceiling as the morning light crested the mountains. It was still dark outside, but the first glow of early morning creeped across the valley. He rubbed his dry eyes and blinked, trying to find some moisture somewhere. He rolled his head to the side, and the red numbers on his clock glared back at him. Almost seven. Apparently he wasn’t going to sleep any time soon.
He kicked out of bed and pulled on whatever was nearby. A pale-gray business card winked back at him from its isolated spot on the edge of the coffee table. At least something good had come out of the night before, even though he couldn’t find an ounce of enthusiasm for it.
He still didn’t know what to do about Riley. The sleepless night, combined with watching her buddy up to Archer, had destroyed his resolve to keep her at arm’s length. Granddad’s voice whispered in the back of his mind, asking if he was taking Riley’s decision from her again, like he had with her sketches. If remaining silent about the fact that he loved her was wrong.
He grabbed his wallet and keys and headed out to his truck. He needed to make sense of the jumble of information bouncing in his skull. One thought rang true, though. He couldn’t ignore her any longer. He wanted her in his life, as more than a friend. She might no longer feel the same, after his childish efforts to scare her away, but it had to be her choice.
He typed out a brief text message.
I’m sorry. Give me a chance to apologize in person.
His gut sank when he looked up and realized Archer’s car wasn’t on the street. Or in the parking lot. Or anywhere in sight. Had he really not come home the night before?
Zane bit back his doubt and hitSend. He climbed in his truck and pulled into traffic. Habit almost made him turn toward the coffee shop where he and Riley always met, but he didn’t think he could face it that morning. He wasn’t sure which put him more on edge—that she might be there or that he might never see her there again. Instead of having to face either, he turned in the other direction, toward the other side of town.