Thrill Me (Fool's Gold #18)(63)

As he’d hoped, she relaxed, and then laughed. “You’re not all that.”

“Then you’re looking at me wrong.”

They both returned their attention to the computer screens. She pointed out a shadow in a few of the frames and he went to check for other versions of that day’s shooting. The moment was lost.

He told himself it was for the best. That whatever they might have had with each other, it had been over years ago. This was different. Two adults with a common goal. After his father’s birthday party and the summer was over, he would leave. Without Maya.

* * *

AT THE END of her workday, Maya checked her calendar, then got in her car and headed out of town. Zane and Phoebe had been due back from their honeymoon the previous evening. Technically it might be too soon for visitors, but she had a strong need to see her brother.

Strange how quickly she’d gotten used to living close to Zane. For years she’d dissed him, behind his back and to his face. They’d argued about Chase, had assumed the other couldn’t possibly understand and generally acted more like enemies than family.

But they hadn’t been able to let go. Whatever tenuous bond connected them, it couldn’t be broken. Not completely. And when Zane had needed her over the summer to help with Chase, she’d been there.

Those couple of weeks on the cattle drive had changed everything. She knew some of it was him falling in love. There were those who would say he’d been healed by the love of a good woman. Maya knew the metamorphosis had come from the opposite place. It wasn’t being loved that had softened the hard edges around Zane’s heart—it was loving Phoebe.

He was a changed man. Whereas before she would never have thought to run to him for comfort, today she drove directly to the ranch and bypassed the house in favor of his office.

He was exactly where she would expect to find him at the end of a workday. At his computer, scowling. She smiled as she entered the room.

“Welcome home.”

He looked up at her, then rose and walked toward her. “Maya,” he said, before pulling her into a bear hug.

She went willingly, gratefully. Zane was a rock. Sometimes he was an annoying rock, but he was steadfast and dependable. Something she hadn’t appreciated enough when she was sixteen and sure his only goal in life was to make sure she and Chase were unhappy.

“Hey, you,” she said as she stepped back. “How was your honeymoon? And as I ask, remember you’re my brother. Don’t gross me out with too many details.”

“It was great.” He motioned for her to take a seat. “I’m sure Phoebe will give you the particulars.”

“Too many of them,” she grumbled, but without much energy. “I keep having to remind her that hearing her gush about you isn’t the same as when she talked about other guys. There’s an ick factor.”

“If she wants to talk, let her talk.”

“Oh, sure. Take her side.”

“I can’t help it.”

Zane settled back in his chair. He was relaxed in a way she’d never seen before. Love, she thought, trying not to be bitter that the woman he’d fallen for had loved him back. No such luck for Maya. While she was pretty sure Del wouldn’t say no to having her in his bed, he didn’t seem to have any sense of urgency in the “I want more” department. Not that she’d shared her feelings, either, but that wasn’t the point.

“What’s happening with you?” he asked.

She started to tell him about the commercial, but instead found herself saying, “Did you know that Phoebe was missing her mom at the wedding?”

“She told me. She missed having her around, asking for her advice.” His tone gentled. “Not all mothers are bad, Maya.”

“I know. I’m friends with Elaine and she’s got five kids. Some mothers are great.”

“Most are. You got a bad one. I’m sorry. I wish I could go back in time and make it better.”

“If you could, you should probably use your power for something more significant than my past. You could stop a war or save someone’s life.”

“You’re worth saving. She was wrong about you.” His gaze was steady. “You know that, right? That every day you’re proving her wrong?”

Because Zane had heard the fights. The angry accusations of how Maya had ruined her mother’s life. Whatever had gone wrong, Maya had been to blame.

“What brought this on?” he asked.

“I don’t know. I’ve been thinking about my past. The scholarship. Not knowing who helped me is kind of a drag.”

“If that person wanted you to know, he or she would tell you.”

“Logic. You know I hate that.”

“You and Phoebe both. Not that I’m surprised. You’re alike in other ways.”

Maya straightened. “What are you talking about? Phoebe and I are nothing alike.” Her friend was sweet and giving. Maya was career obsessed and sometimes pretty bitchy. “I’m difficult and stubborn. Phoebe’s great.”

“You are, too. You both lead with your heart. Look how you were always worried about Chase.”

“Yeah, but I was mean to you.”

“You had something to tell me. I should have listened.”

“This is just plain creepy.”