Page 46 (1/2)

Zoe suspected it was the shopping bribe that did the trick, and they dropped Sa with strict orders: if asked, she was to say that Ryan and Zoe were off spending tithe ride until Zoe couldn't take being frozen out anymore "I'm sorry," she said at last

One hand on the wheel, he briefly turned toward her "For?"

That was a good question, Zoe thought For causing distrust and upheaval in his life? For not just handing Sa your uncle," she said, addressing only one of the ed "Just because he's been good to me doesn't mean he's the easiest person to know or like I hope this little trip will convince you that his interest in Saht jaw and steely expression, she didn't believe hi to do with the fear that perhaps she was on to so with his uncle, then tossed that notion aside In his mind, blood ties ran deep, loyalty ran even deeper and his uncle had been his only friend in a conflicted upbringing

"Howat the dashboard clock

"About ten "

She was happy to have conversation "What do you want to know?"

"More about you I know all about your family life, but I don't know that much about you"

"I'm an open book"

He raised an eyebrow at that "Ha"

"What's that supposed to a yourself, yet I don't know much about you Who are your friends outside of your family?"

She opened herI don't have friends?"

"I didn't meet any besides family while I stayed with you"

"My work kept ency friends I left behind and so extremely defensive "What about you? I haven't noticed a whole lot of aood for a cold brew?"

He burst out laughing "Now that's the Zoe I love Get defensive, throw it back inhours and we socialize with other attorneys A quick drink with one ofhome or a date with someone if the mood strikes"

A date "Anybody ih she was shocked that as close as they'd been, neither had opened up much before now

For someone who prided herself on her independence, she was appalled at how her palrew damp and her stomach knotted as she waited for his reply

He pulled off at the exit and stopped at a red light Turning, he faced her "No, Zoe Nobody else i muchthe reen and Ryan stepped on the gas

She exhaled a long, slow breath

"How about you? Anybody serious in your life?" he asked "I assu thirty and still being single that the answer is no, but aa secret or two" His lips twitched in amusement

She shook her head "Nobody serious In fact, my last relationship was brief andelse"

She and Marco, the guy who'd been assigned to guard her at the safe house had generated serious physical sparks and had helped pass so, lonely hours by the end of her stay there But nothing e e at Ryan's satisfied expression and handsome profile He caused butterflies to ripple around her insides, e as adolescent and silly, yet everything about her feelings for Ryan were completely adult in nature