Thrill Me (Fool's Gold #18)(64)

He chuckled. “I’m simply pointing out there’s a reason the two of you are friends. You have a lot in common. It’s part of why I love you both.” He winked. “In very different ways.”

“Thank you for clearing that up. Because otherwise, ick.”

Zane didn’t smile. “You understand that I love you.”

“Yes. You’ve said it. Why are you repeating it?”

“Because I’m not sure you see yourself as lovable.”

Maya felt her mouth drop open. Were her flaws so obvious that everyone saw them? And if they were, what was wrong with her?

Or maybe she was looking at the situation from entirely the wrong perspective. Maybe she should embrace being lovable. Open herself up to the possibility. Stop being defined by hurtful words uttered by a woman who had never known how to be happy.

“I love you, too,” she told her brother. “Now I’m going to go see my best friend and hear intimate details about your honeymoon. Be afraid. Be very afraid.”

“Not a chance. Any reports you get are going to bother you a lot more than me.”

She sighed. “I really hate it when you’re right.”

“I know you do.”

* * *

MAYA FOUND PHOEBE in the kitchen. She was pouring brownie batter into a pan. The scent of butter and chocolate drifted to her, making her stomach growl. Maya sighed, knowing the smells would only get better—or worse, depending on her perspective—when the pan was put in the oven.

“Hi,” she said with a smile. “Welcome back.”

Phoebe put down the bowl and hugged her friend. “Hi, yourself. Did I know you were coming by?”

“Not unless you’ve turned psychic. How was your honeymoon?” Maya held up a hand. “Remember, I’m asking in the most general of terms.”

Phoebe giggled, then returned to pouring the brownie batter into the pan. “Amazing. Fantastic. Wonderful. I highly recommend honeymoons to everyone. Especially with a wonderful man like Zane. We had perfect weather and the food was delicious. I think I gained five pounds and I don’t even care.” She sighed blissfully.

Phoebe had always been pretty, Maya thought, but today there was something about her. A glow. From being in love, she thought wistfully, and having that love returned. A couple of weeks of hot sex probably didn’t hurt, either. Wasn’t sex supposed to be good for the skin?

“I’m glad you had a good time.”

“Me, too.” Phoebe popped the brownies in the oven, then leaned against the counter. “Can you stay a bit?”

“I can.”

Phoebe pulled a pitcher of iced tea out of the refrigerator and poured them each a glass, then they sat at the table by the island. “What happened while I was gone?” she asked. “Anything exciting?”

Maya thought about the commercial shoot, her upcoming class mostly for Eddie and Gladys, the subtle but inescapable restlessness she didn’t want to acknowledge and knew there was a lot from which she could choose. So it made no sense for her to blurt out, “I’m in love with Del.”

Phoebe’s mouth dropped open. “You’re what? When? I was only gone a couple of weeks. How could I miss that? Start at the beginning and tell me everything.”

“There’s not much to tell,” Maya admitted. “It was at the reception.” She hesitated a second, then told her friend what had happened that night. “After that, I just knew.”

“OMG, seriously? You had sex with Del at my wedding?”

“Technically, it was after and we were in my old room, so it wasn’t at the wedding.”

“But still. You had sex on my wedding night before me!” Phoebe laughed. “You go, girl.” Her humor faded. “Are you okay? Have you told him? What did he say? Are you going to tell him? How do you think he feels about you? Does anyone else know?” She paused. “You can talk now.”

“Gee, thanks.” Maya considered the list of questions. “I don’t know how I feel. No, I haven’t told him. Yes, I am scared. Very scared. I blew it the first time. Why would Del trust me now?”

“So he doesn’t know how you feel?”

“No. I haven’t said anything. I don’t know what to say.” Maya shifted in her chair. “We have to work together. I don’t want things to be awkward. We’re in a good place. Saying something would mess that up.”

“Maybe in the best way possible. What if he’s in love with you?”

“Then he can say something.” Maya drew in a breath. “I dumped him before and I was cruel about it. He has every right to hate me or punish me and he’s only been nice. While I appreciate that, I can’t help thinking he would never trust me again. It’s too soon. It’s just...”

“You’re scared.”

“More like terrified.”

There it was. The truth. Nothing to be proud of, but real, she thought.

Phoebe’s expression was kind. “What do you want?”

“I don’t know. Del isn’t the type to stick around. I just got back. I’m settled.”

“You don’t sound settled.”

“I’m confused. I love being back. The town is fantastic. I have everything I should want.”