Page 25 (1/2)

“It happens so often,” Rina agrees “And how ry when they arrive at school or don’t have dinner? Too many It’s my mission to feed them, even if it’s one at a time”

“I want to be you when I grow up,” Aubrey says with a happy sigh and makes Rina blush

I don’t think I’ve ever seen my best friend blush

“Okay, enough of that,” Rina says, waving Aubrey off “How about some dessert? I have strawberry shortcake”

“I’ll help,” I offer and pick up some empty plates to take into the kitchen

We’re far enough away froet to the sink, Rina rounds on me

“I like her,” she says “I like her a lot And I see the way you look at her”

“How do I look at her?”

“Like you can’t live without her” She grins “Like you think she’s the best thing since sliced bread”

“She’s great,” I agree with a nod “Everything you heard at the table? That’s her What you see is what you get with her She’s nice And I don’t think she gives two shits about the career or the celebrity Or even the money”

“Have you asked her?” Rina prods

“No It’s not like it comes up in conversation ‘Do you have a problem with the fact that I’m rich and famous?’ That’s stupid”

“It’s not stupid You’ve had too s, Zane”

“Yeah, well, I know she’s not doing that Sometimes, I think she’s with me in spite of it And that’s damn hot, too”

“For sure” She pulls the dessert out of the fridge “So, you’re sleeping with her”

“Yeah, it’s been a feeeks now, I guess” I’in That’s none of her business “We spend pretty ”

“And you’re not getting on each other’s nerves yet?”

“Not yet” I laugh and set sponge cake on little dessert plates “I don’t think there’s much she could do at this point to irritate me”

I tell her about Aubrey’s reaction to the chef flirting with hs her ass off

“Oh, I really like her Good for her for standing her ground You can be inti, Zane, because of who you are And the fact that she’s not afraid to be herself is refreshing”

“Oh, yeah She calls me out on my shit,” I confirm “And I love that, too”