Page 24 of Trust

“Is there any way to stop you?” Zane asked.

“Not really.” Olivia stretched her legs out and rested her head against the bench. “It’s taken less than half a day for the local kids to become your biggest fans, just as I predicted. Add to that the many invitations you received to stop by Jasper’s bar for a drink, and I’d say you are one popular man.”

Zane ran his hand over the right side of his face. “Liv, it doesn’t make any sense. People were intimidated by me before half my face was scarred up, and kids have always given me a wide berth. I’m not a man people have ever gravitated to. All the attention and offers are making me mighty uncomfortable.”

“Because it’s new or because you find the world too peopley and prefer solitude?”

“Both,” he replied quietly. “The stick-up-my-ass warrior thing usually keeps people at a distance. Have I lost my touch?”

“Possibly. But I’m guessing your vibe has changed since retirement. I think you’re giving off a gentler giant thing and less I’ll decimate you if you irritate me thing. And, let’s face it, the fact you’re hanging out with me gives you all kinds of street cred.”

Zane snorted. “No doubt.”

Shoving her hand into his side, she gave him a good pinch. “Don’t doubt my magic powers.”

“Believe me, babe, I never considered it for a minute.”

“Can I give you some well-intentioned and completely non-self-serving advice?”

“Sure, if something like that even exists.”

“You may want to turn down the sexy loner vibe. Because if you keep it turned to ten, your driveway will be filled with willing women, and you’ll have a freezer filled with casseroles.”

“What kind of casseroles?” he asked with a laugh.

A knot of possessiveness bloomed in her chest, and she told herself to ignore it. “I’m guessing you can get the answer fairly quickly when you go through the stack of phone numbers shoved into your pocket.”

Zane rested his hand along the back of the bench. “I’m detecting a note of jealousy, which makes me think you’re feeling some kind of way about the phone numbers I allegedly have.”

Moving away, she pursed her lips. “That’s ridiculous.” Feeling his big hand curl over her shoulder, she glanced over. “You’re a free man and can do whatever you want.”

Moving close enough so their legs touched, he tugged her against his side. “The last five minutes is the only time you haven’t been well inside my personal space. And that tells me you’re not being honest.”

She pushed her top lip out, studied the townspeople who filled the park, and didn’t know why she was trying to lie. It wasn’t like she hadn’t already confessed to having a crush. The chance of subterfuge had long disappeared, and she might as well own up to the fact that she was in the green-eyed monster’s grip and be done with it. “Zane…”

“Yeah, Liv?”

“I might be the tiniest bit concerned that you’re going to find one of the beauties too delicious to resist. You just started finding me not repellant, and I’d hate to miss the chance of …”

“What, babe? What would you like to have a chance at?”

“Uugghhh, why do I open my mouth?” Moving her leg away, she studied her red Converse. “You don’t have to hang out this afternoon. I can handle the kids myself.”

“Didn’t take you for a wimp, Liv.”

“What does that mean?” Pushing his arm off, she stood. “I’m fearless!” She rolled her shoulders. “Okay, maybe that’s too strong a word. I’m…mostly willing to do something about my happiness, no matter what it takes.”

“Which, for the record, is sexy as hell.” He levered himself off the bench and took Olivia’s hands. “And admirable.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

Feeling her shoulders stiffen, she dropped her head. “Maybe we should sit. I can’t keep looking up at you and not end up with a crick in my neck.”

“Of course.” He collapsed on the bench. “Guess the foot of difference in our heights makes that inevitable.”

Olivia sat and crossed her legs. “There isn’t a whole foot.”

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