I stare out the window, arms wrapped around myself, staring at the moonlit water beyond the trees. My mind won’t settle, thoughts twisting in circles, replaying the conversation with Damon until I don’t know what to feel anymore.
A knock at the door makes me turn.
I hesitate for half a second before crossing the room, my pulse quickening as I pull it open.
Zane.
He stands in the dim hallway, shirtless, loose sweatpants hanging low on his hips. His eyes flick over me, and it takes me a second to realize?—
I’m in nothing but my nightdress. The one with thin fabric. No bra.
Heat licks up my spine, but I ignore it.
“Can’t sleep?” I ask.
“No.” His gaze drops for a fraction of a second before he looks back at my face.
“Me neither.”
A strange energy crackles between us.
I shift, gripping the edge of the door. “Do you—” I clear my throat. “Do you want to come in?”
Zane doesn’t answer right away. He watches me, eyes unreadable, before finally giving a short nod.
I step back, letting him inside. The room feels smaller with him in it. Warmer.
I move toward the bed, perching on the edge while Zane leans against the dresser. His arms cross over his bare chest, muscles flexing as he exhales.
“What’s keeping you up?” I ask.
He huffs a quiet laugh, shaking his head. “Take your pick.”
I wait, giving him time. Zane isn’t the type to justtalk. He only shares when he’s ready.
He rubs a hand over his face. “Jason, the move, all this shit… and…” He stops, eyes locking with mine. “You.”
“This can’t work,” he continues, his voice rough, strained. His hands are still clenched at his sides, like he's physically holding himself back.
I should listen. I should step away, create some distance before this spirals into something I can’t take back.
Instead, I say, “Actually, I was just talking to Damon about it today.”
Zane stiffens. His eyes narrow slightly. “About what?”
I hesitate. My heart pounds so hard, I feel it in my throat. But there’s no point in pretending. Not after everything that’s already happened.
“About this,” I say quietly. “About… me. And you. And Damon. And Asher." I force myself to hold his gaze, even as the weight of my own words makes me feel dizzy. “I think I might like you all.”
Zane exhales sharply through his nose. His hands unclench. For a second, I think he's about to turn and walk out, that I’ve scared him off completely.
I start to move away, embarrassed, suddenly feeling like I’ve just said the stupidest thing in the world.
But before I can take another step, his hand shoots out and catches my wrist.
I stop breathing.
Slowly, he pulls me back, turns me to face him, his grip sliding down until his fingers splay across my lower back, pressing me flush against his body.
