And she thought he trusted her.
She also thought maybe she could be brave enough to test the waters of their friendship. To see if there was room for something more.
But she was deluding herself. The distance and space between them had given her a false sense of security. He would always see her as the broken bird he’d found and nursed back to health. Not as a woman who could take care of herself. And not as a woman who could lay claim to his heart.
The ache splintered through her chest. She hadn’t realized how much she’d begun to hope. She’d always talked herself out of it before. But today, working with him, laughing with him. She’d thought maybe there was a chance.
Now she had to survive this week.
And she would have to tell him.
Zane didn’t shy away from conflict. He took it head-on. Dealt with it. Moved on to the next thing. He wouldn’t forget this conversation, and there was no way for her to avoid him.
She’d go home tonight. And pray for the strength to let him go.
“GREG, HOW’S IT GOING?”Zane bumped fists with the evening security guard before turning to Tessa. “I’ll catch up in a second.”
Tessa said hello to Greg but didn’t stop. She was on a mission tonight. Hank Littlefield was going to go down. Zane didn’t know how or when, but he knew Tess. She was furious, and she was going to make Littlefield pay.
“Heard you were back in town.” Greg tilted his head toward the hall where Tessa had disappeared. “I’m guessing she’s floating on the clouds now. You two look as cozy as ever.”
Zane didn’t bother to correct Greg. Lots of people thought they were together. “It’s going to be a crazy week.”
“So I hear.”
“Did you catch the news tonight?”
“I don’t watch the news. It’s all bad, biased, or bogus.”
Zane couldn’t argue with him. “Okay. But do you know who Hank Littlefield is?”
“Pretty-boy reporter. Sure.”
“He’s not welcome on the property.”
That got Greg’s attention. “What’s up?”
“He filmed us today. Tess is ticked. He’ll probably have to issue some sort of retraction, but the damage is done. I doubt he would approach the building, but he seems to think he’s got some kind of inside track with Tessa. If you see him, even if he’s sitting in his car in the parking lot, let her know. Yeah?”
Greg quirked an eyebrow. “Let her know, or let you know?”
“Her first. Then me. If it’s next week after I’m gone, make sure Leslie knows. She’ll spread the word.”
“You got it.”
Five minutes later, Zane found Tessa in her cubicle. “I told Greg to let you know if he spots Hank Littlefield anywhere on the premises. And made sure Greg knows Hank isn’t welcome.”
“Good idea.” She rubbed her eyes. “I cannot believe he got on the property. And then had the audacity to air something so... so nonexistent. What could he possibly be thinking? I was never going to go out with him before, but if I’d had any thoughts of saying yes, this would have quashed them. Permanently.”
She was looking at him like she expected an answer. “Tess. There’s no understanding him. Don’t waste brain cells trying to apply logic to an illogical scenario.”
“He irks me.”
“Yeah. I got that.”
She straightened in her chair. “I have work to do. I’m assuming you do too?”
“Yes. I’ll stay as long as you do. Can you swing me by the hotel on your way home?”
