Zane had no problem with that at all. “You know me so well.”
“I do. I also know you won’t have time to get breakfast at the hotel.”
“What are the chances of Gil bringing something to the office?”
“He made sourdough earlier this week and brought it in warm, with whipped butter and homemade strawberry jam and blackberry jelly.”
He moaned. “You’re killing me, Princess.”
Her laughter held a bite to it. “I’m not sorry. And as a reminder, if you call me that in the office—”
“I would never.” He held up a hand in a vow, even though she couldn’t see it.
“Luke’s here. I’ll call you when we get there.”
“Tess?”
“Yeah.”
“Be careful.”
“You’re the worst one of the bunch.” She wasn’t wrong, but based on the humor and gentleness in her voice, she also didn’t care.
“Your point?”
“I’m hanging up now.” She was full-on laughing when the call disconnected.
9
TESSA PULLED ONTOthe highway with Luke in the passenger seat. “Is there a reason Faith is tailing us?”
Luke grabbed his phone and started texting. “She’s going to be so mad. It took you less than fifteen seconds.”
“It took less than five.” Tessa turned right. “I was debating whether to mention it.”
“She’s going to back off now and see if she notices anyone following us.”
“Lovely.” Tessa didn’t succeed in hiding her annoyance.
“Don’t be that way. We’re all worried about you.”
“I get it.” She did. Early in her career, this would have made her mad. She had so much to prove then. Such a driving need to be seen as competent and capable. Now? She still needed to be seen that way, but she understood that accepting the help of friends didn’t make her less. It made her more.
They drove in silence for a few minutes. The road, a split four-lane highway, was busy with morning traffic, and Tessa checked her mirrors on a regular rotation.
Luke shifted in his seat. “I was surprised Zane didn’t chime in last night.”
“Subtle.” She didn’t attempt to hide her sarcasm.
He didn’t laugh, and he didn’t drop it. “You included him in the text. He didn’t respond. What’s up?”
Tessa could have told him to let it go. He was being nosy, but there was an undercurrent of concern there too. Luke loved her. She knew that. But what Luke and Zane had was special. And Zane had kept her secrets, even from Luke. She never wanted to come between their friendship. “He texted me off the loop and volunteered to come to my place. I told him I was fine. I’ve already talked to him this morning.” For almost an hour. “He’ll be waiting for us.”
She could feel the relief coming off Luke. “It’s none of my business—”
“No. It isn’t.”
“I need to say this. Then I’ll hush. I don’t know what the deal is with you two. But I know it’s important to him. And to you. So whatever it is, thank you for letting me know it’s good. I didn’t like to see him hurting. Didn’t like seeing you hurting either. And I don’t want to go back to that.”
