Page 87 of Gigi and the Gym Rats

“No, just… didn’t expect to see you tonight,” I whisper, taking him in. “I mean, what are the odds?”

Zayne isn’t old at all. At thirty-six, he looks hotter than ever with a bit of dark scruff on his jaw and those intense eyes, and I could try all I want to avoid thinking about my non-boyfriends when one of them is right here, right in front of me, more gorgeous than ever.

“Ronin once said he likes it here,” he says, “and I thought I might find all of you.”

“All of us?”

He smiles. “All of my favorite people. You, and Ronin, and Casey and Grey.”

I laugh, then have to swallow back tears. “We are your favorite people?”

“You sound surprised.”

We share favorite people, but I don’t say that. My head is swimming a little. I can smell him over all the people in the bar, aromatic wood, cloves and cinnamon and male musk, that particular blend that spells out Zayne. It lights up a fire in my belly, like every time I’m around him.

“Who are you here with?” he asks.

I’m staring at his mouth, the slightly fuller upper lip, the dimple in the lower one. “Nobody.”

“You came here alone?”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m alone now.”

He sighs. “How many cocktails have you had?”

“Not enough,” I whisper.

“Let me take you home.”

I don’t want to go home. But I also can’t stop looking at his mouth, his square jaw, the pleasing line of those muscular shoulders, and… yeah, going home with him is a bad idea.

“Why are you sitting here alone, drinking? What happened, Gigi?”

“Nothing,” I say airily. “Know what? I haven’t tried the delta cocktail yet.”

“You’re tipsy.”

“Ah, but not fully drunk yet. I have to remedy that.” I’m pleased he doesn’t tell me I’ve had enough, that he doesn’t decide for me. “I like you, Zayne.”

“I like you, too. Girl…” He takes one of my hands in his big ones. His dark eyes bore into mine. “I want to take care of you, if you’d let me. Even a little.”

I have to swallow again. “How can you still want that after…”

After I’ve pushed you away? After you said you wanted me and I said nothing in return? After I said I’m seeing someone else?

“I’m giving us another chance,” he says as if he heard all my thoughts. “Because you tug on my soul, Gigi. You belong with me.”

A tear breaks through my control and slips down my cheek. “I don’t deserve you.”

“Sure you do.” He’s stroking my hand with his thumbs and it feels good. Grounding. “Tell me what’s troubling you. I don’t believe for a second that an alpha and a beta can’t be happy together.”

“My dad wasn’t.” Another tear slips free. “I was supposed to do things the right way. Not make a mess of my life like he did. The way he ended his life.”

“Sweetheart… I’m so sorry about your dad. But do you know for a fact the reason why he took his life?”

I shake my head. “And now it’s my brother. He just… left.”

“I can tell from your expression that this isn’t good news. Why are you worried?”

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