Page 65 of Trust

Linc appeared a moment later. “I’m gonna head out and see if I can catch Lucy.”

“What the hell, man?” Zane said with exasperation.

Linc gave them both a shrug and then strode through the door. “Well, that’s unfortunate.” She walked out to the porch and found it empty. “We’ve been abandoned, Zane.”

“What the hell?” he asked as he joined her. “Where did Asher and Bea go?”

“Do they have something against roast chicken and mashed potatoes?”

Zane slung his arm over Olivia’s shoulder. “What were you saying about another perspective?”

“Never mind,” she huffed. “If they want to deny us a front-row seat to the opening scene of an excellent show, then so be it.”

“Does this mean we can eat in the kitchen and feel each other up?”

She let her shoulders drop. “Might as well since my dinner party is a disaster.” Lifting her gaze, she exhaled. “Why are you enjoying this?”

He put up his hands. “I’m not. But damn if I’m not going to revel in the fact that my behavior wasn’t the worst of the evening.” Taking her hand, he lifted it to his mouth and kissed her fingers. “I thought my anxiety was going be center stage, but instead, it’s my family’s bad manners.”

“And mine.” She headed back into the kitchen and hoped that Zane would eventually put some time and effort into his mental health. And not just because she wanted him ultimately to enjoy her social efforts. But because he was too good a man not to appreciate the beautiful moments when they came along.

SEVENTEEN

Zane gave a short knock and then walked through Olivia’s screen door. A plate of brownies was on the counter, and he wondered who they were intended for. In their short acquaintance, he’d discovered that her efforts in the kitchen were usually on someone else’s behalf.

Salt was her go-to, and she could crush a bag of chips faster than he thought possible. “Liv, it’s me.”

“Who goes there?”

“How many me’s you got banging through your door?”

“So, so many,” she replied with laughter as she walked into the kitchen. “Whatcha doing here, Zane?”

She sauntered over and slid her hands up his T-shirt, making his heart beat out of rhythm. “I came to take you for a walk around the lake. Maybe a swim if you’re up for it.”

“Really?”

“I’m more than a boy toy, woman, and will not give in to your libidinous demands.”

“If I give you that pan of brownies, will you reconsider?”

“If you go for a walk, I might.” She slipped her hands away from his chest, and he wondered why he was such a dumb ass and not giving them both what they were hungry for. Shaking off the weak moment, he arched an eyebrow.

“Fine, but only because it’s impossible to ignore your use of a fifteen-point word.” She ran her hand over his forearm. “Libidinous indeed.”

“I’ll wait outside.” He spun around and pushed through the door, knowing he was a breath away from taking her against the wall.

Keeping half their time together clothed was no small feat, and there were many moments when he didn’t know why he tried. They had more sparks than a Fourth of July firework display, and it was taking all his good intentions not to spend every waking moment rolling around naked with the too tempting woman.

He strode across the grass and then doubled back. Then he did it again, just in case.

The slap of the screen door and Bella running at him full speed got his mind refocused, and he stopped the dog right before she plowed into his leg. “Guess you like the idea of the walk.”

“She’ll be searching for her one true love,” Olivia called out. “Our black cat has been missing for more than a week, and my girl is a tad distressed.”

He held out his hand. “Well, let’s go see if we can find him.” Bella barked and then took off, heading toward the woods.

Olivia held up a water bottle. “I brought hydration.”

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