Page 53 of Not Until I Found You

Grateful for the shift, I nod before turning and making my way down the hallway. I can sense his gaze on me, lingering long after I’ve turned the corner into the kitchen where watchful eyes are on display.

Luke is smirking again, and I’m convinced the man doesn’t miss a single thing that happens within a ten–mile radius. Raine and Olivia are pretending to look busy wiping the counters, both suddenly fascinated by imaginary crumbs. The only one not watching me is Ryland, who’s fully focused on the huge plate of food sitting in front of him.

I tuck a piece of hair behind my ear, acutely aware of the heat climbing my neck. It wasn’t like we kissed. It was just a hug. Except, it didn’t feel like “just” anything. My thoughts are spinning because I had to have been reading too much into it.

Yeah. That has to be it.

I force myself into motion, stepping beside Olivia and Raine to help with cleaning up, focusing on anything but the fluttering chaos in my stomach. Zane walks into the kitchen a few minutes later, and as soon as he sees me, he smirks, sending my pulse into a full sprint. I immediately turn toward the sink, giving my hormones a silent pep talk about boundaries and appropriate behavior with friends.

“Thanks, Raine, this looks amazing,” Zane says as he begins to pile food onto a plate. “I’m starving.”

“Clearly,” Luke adds from beside him, eyeing the mountain of food. “I guess it’s a good thing we’ve all already eaten.”

Zane shoots him a look, “Did you pull a double shift today?”

“No, but I did have to deal with Ms. Johnson.”

Zane shakes his head as he makes his way to the kitchen table, taking the seat next to his brother.

“What did she say I did now?” Olivia tosses her hands into the air, and now I’m very curious as to who Ms. Johnson is.

Luke grins at her. “Surprisingly, it wasn’t anything to do with you today. Some kids stole a few of her lawn gnomes.”

“That still doesn’t compare to working a double,” Zane proclaims before shoving a bite into his mouth.

“Next time, I’ll let you handle things with Ms. Johnson, and then you can tell me-”

Raine shakes her head. “Leave the hungry man alone.”

“Hungry superhero,” Zane corrects before glancing at me with an amused grin and a wink. “Some of us are going through…transformations.”

Luke raises an eyebrow while Olivia’s mouth drops open. I grab a towel and busy myself with wiping nonexistent water off the counter to keep from bursting out in laughter. I forgot that Zane and I have an inside joke after all.

“Oh no,” Ryland says from the table without looking up. “If he starts monologuing, I’m eating in the living room.”

Zane wipes his mouth. “Relax. I’m only here for the food. My dramatic speeches about destiny can wait.”

“Thank you, Jesus,” Luke deadpans.

I bite back a laugh, shaking my head as I slide into the kitchen table with them. After they’re finished eating, Ryland digs out a worn deck of playing cards from one of the drawers.

“Anyone up for a few rounds of spoons?” he suggests.

We dive into the game, and Olivia lunges across the table too fast and nearly knocks over a glass, catching it with a triumphant grin. Luke leans back in his chair, his eyes squinting like he’s observing a crime scene, then points across the table.

“She’s cheating already.”

“I am not,” Olivia fires back, slapping his hand away before he can reach for the center pile.

Luke’s grin widens. “That’s exactly what a cheater would say.”

The table erupts with chairs scraping, laughter overlapping, and yet, Zane stays quiet. He’s silently watching the chaos unfold…until his eyes land on me.

“Don’t let her fool you,” he says casually, nodding toward Olivia. “She’s ruthless when there’s winning involved.”

Olivia gasps. “I’m sitting right here.”

Zane doesn’t even blink. “I know.”