Page 118 of Zimyra

“And you didn’t have to run off and get married, but you did, didn’t you? And I wasn’t the one who brought up Axel. Mom did.”

“Okay, so what do you want from me?”

“I want to know why you’re ignoring him.”

“Why—how—how do you know what I’m doing? This is none of your business. It’smybusiness.”

“Yeah, it is, but you’re my sister, I love you, and you’re not happy.”

“How do you know what I am?”

“I watched you at the party last weekend. I know you, Zimyra. It was a nice event, but you weren’t there one hundred percent because you were thinking about Axel. I had a talk with him. I know what he did. He told me when he didn’t have to, and in his defense, he didn’t know you or anybody else when he came down here.”

“Okay, but he got to know me, and very well, I might add. Why would he keep lying to me?”

“Was it really a lie, though?”

“Ugh, now you sound like him. Do you men all think the same?”

“I’m going to ask you a question, Zimyra. If your answer to this question is no, I won’t say another word about the dude. I’ll leave it alone and let you go on your merry way. If your answer is yes, I’m going to stay on you until you hear the man out and give him a chance. That question is, do you love him?”

Do I love him?The answer is yes. Absolutely. One hundred percent, yes. That doesn’t negate the fact that he deceived me though, does it?

When I look up at Zander, I’m met by his raised brows. “Do you?”

I answer, “Yes. I love him, but—”

“Nope—if you love him, there’s nothing left to be said. He admitted he was wrong. Why don’t you cut him some slack?”

My eyes bubble with tears. Batting them away, I say, “I never would’ve imagined you’d be an advocate for a love interest of mine.”

“You meanhusbandof yours.”

“Same thing.”

“Why is that surprising to you?”

“Because you always said there was no man good enough for me.”

“And I stand by that. There is no man who is good enough for you, but if I had to pick one, Axel is a good choice. I have a good feeling about him. Don’t shut him out just because he came down here to play undercover boss.”

I grin, wipe my eyes, and say, “That’s crazy to think about. All the time I was telling him what to do and he wasmyboss.”

“Yep.”

Zander opens his arms and says, “Bring it in, lil’ sis.”

“No, Zander, don’t bear-hug me.”

He does so anyway, locking his arms around me and squeezing like he’s afraid to let go. “I love you, little girl.”

“Get off me. I’m not a little girl.”

“You’re my little sister, the only one I got and I’ma make sure you’re good, the same way you always make sure I’m good.”

“I appreciate that, Zander.”

“Anytime. Now, cut that man some slack and stop acting like you don’t miss him. Don’t let another week go by. You hear me?”

---