Page 63 of Deeper

Zander came up next to me, gesturing to the array of food he’d purchased. “I eat alotof chicken.”

Chicken was good, chicken was very versatile. “Fine by me.”

“I didn’t get to make my chicken karahi for you, but I will, I promise.” The fact that he really wanted to cook for me made me happy.

“Can’t wait.”

“My butter chicken’s pretty good too.”

“I’ll eat all your chicken, I promise.”

Zander smiled, coming and planting a kiss on my temple. “Let’s eat.”

We unpacked the chicken and the sides at the island and ate together side by side. We were different in many ways, but I liked learning that we both liked the thighs the most, and wings were a close second. Chicken breasts were too dry when they were fried to me, which was why I mostly only ate them baked or diced in chicken alfredo. Zander mirrored my opinion as he told me he was that customer that made things difficult by requesting buckets of thighs and wings only.

“How are things with Victoria?” he asked me as we finished eating.

“We haven’t spoken since Monday. She’s busy with work, and I’ve been the same.”

Zander squinted. “What’s she even look like?”

“Tori’s beautiful.” I gathered my phone and found a recent picture of us together and showed him. “She would’ve had you doing a double take.”

Zander admired her photo and I watched as his eyes softened. “She’s cute, but I don’t think it would’ve worked.”

That was the other reality, that even if I hadn’t have slept with him, there was still the chance he wouldn’t have met and fallen for Victoria. “Why not?”

Zander reached out, coiling his finger in my hair. “Because she liked me already, andyoudidn’t.”

I side-eyed him. “Bet it served your ego well having me fall for you.”

The dirty look on his face gave me my answer. “You have no idea the pleasure it was bedding you that first night. I enjoyed it for the feel of you, but watching youwantandneedit after you hated me…” He closed his eyes and took in a breath through his nose before opening them. “That felt fucking good.”

“Still,” I said, getting serious again. “You have to meet her, because she’s been a fan since we were eighteen, and I do feel guilty for that. It was herbirthdayweekend and…yeah, bad Bianka.”

Zander’s brows shot up. “Her birthday?”

I cringed and nodded. “Really shitty friend here.”

Technically, she was the Gemini, and yetIwas the one being two-faced.

“And she’s taking it really hard?”

It probably sounded ridiculous to him. “There’s being a fan, and then there’s being astan, that fine line of total obsession and devotion.”

Zander’s fingers traced the skin on the back of my hand as he angled his head. “Won’t you be my stan?”

I leaned close, teasing. “No. Parasocial relationships don’t interest me.”

Zander tapped my hand. “That’s too bad.” He settled back and became serious. “We’ll think of something to make it better. I don’t want you to lose her over me, and I don’t want to lose her as a loyal fan because she came out to see me and I feel terrible I didn’t show.”

Right, his attempt at making things better was his new album. The yet-to-be titledZ3.

“How’s that going by the way?” I asked. “You’ve been in the studio every night this week.”

“I love it.” Zander lit up, and I could tell he was in his element during his creative process. “I could do ten songs a night if I wanted.”

I nudged him. Curious. “How’s that one for me going?”

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