Chapter 20
Zane's POV
Kieran and I had come to pick up Jasmine and Vicky when Vicky noticed Nathan across the street.
"He's with a girl," she said, pointing toward the café.
I followed her gaze. Sure enough, Nathan was sitting with someone, looking a little out of place—like he wasn't sure what to do with himself.
"Is he on a date?" Jasmine asked, sounding amused.
"Yeah, I know that chick," Vicky said, a smirk creeping onto her lips. "Melissa Harrow. Cute girl. I knew her older sister growing up. She's studying law. My mom talks about her all the time, nagging about how she wishes I were more like her."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Wait, so Nathan's on a date with her?"
"Looks like it," Vicky said with a sly grin.
The girl handed Nathan a book. Something in the gesture felt too easy—too clean.
"Why don't you go over there and find out?" Kieran said, the corner of his mouth quirking.
I looked at him.
"Come on," Kieran pressed. "Could just be a misunderstanding."
"Yeah, go on," Jasmine teased, nudging me.
I exchanged a look with Kieran, and we both headed across the street, entering the café. The place was casual, relaxed—a little too much so for Nathan.
Melissa noticed us as soon as we stepped inside. Her gaze flickered over us, lingering just a moment too long.
I turned my head, catching the exact moment Nathan noticed me. His eyes went wide, surprised.
I smiled, walking up to their table.
"Hi," I greeted Melissa smoothly.
She waved back, but her voice had a slight edge to it when she spoke.
"Hi, I'm Zane—"
She interrupted, "Grey. Zane Grey. And Kieran Leo."
Her smile was friendly, but I saw the way she looked at Kieran—like she was sizing him up.
"Of course I know you two," she continued. "Especially Kieran. We've met before."
My gaze shifted to Kieran, who wasn't even acknowledging her. His eyes were locked on Nathan, who had his head down, not looking at either of us.
"At a gala," she added, glancing back at me.
I nudged Kieran with my elbow. He cleared his throat, still not looking at her.
"I'm sorry," Kieran said in a low voice, "I don't recall."
She smiled again, like it didn't faze her.
"So, are you guys here on a date?" I asked, sitting down.
Melissa glanced between Kieran and me.
"Why?" she asked, a playful glint in her eyes. "You want a double date?"
Her smile was too inviting.
I leaned forward on the table, resting my hand. "I don't mind," I said. "But I have a more interesting idea."
She raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"How about we switch dates?" I grinned, enjoying the challenge.
Before she could reply, Nathan suddenly stood up.
"Excuse me," he mumbled, heading toward the restroom.
I watched him go, then looked at Kieran, signaling him.
"Charm her," I mouthed, backing away from the table.
Kieran looked like he didn't want to do it, but I wasn't giving him much choice.
Excusing myself, I stood, following Nathan out the door.
----
Nathan's POV
I got to the restroom.
I stepped into one of the stalls and sat there for a while.
I needed to cool off.
My head felt messy—too many things at once.
I stayed longer than I should have.
Part of me hoped… they would have left.
But when I came out—
Zane was there.
Leaning against the wall, hands in his pockets.
Waiting.
"Hey," he said.
He pushed himself off the wall and walked toward me.
His hand lifted slightly.
I looked at him.
He brushed my hair gently.
"You've got dust," he said.
My throat felt dry.
There was an awkward silence.
"You were on a date," he finally said.
A pause.
"I thought we had something here. Or was it just me having a wishful thinking."
His voice dropped a little.
I looked at him.
He looked… hurt.
"I'm sorry, I just—" I started.
But he cut in.
"I really like you, Nathan."
He paused, like he was choosing to say it anyway.
"I want us to go out."
Another step closer.
He picked up my hands, holding it.
"I want you to be my boyfriend."
My eyes dropped to our hands.
I didn't say anything.
Silence stretched.
He slowly let go.
"Don't you want to be with me?" he asked.
I exhaled.
"It's not that—"
"Then what?" he cut in, frustration slipping through. "We obviously like each other. I can tell when someone's into me."
I looked at him.
"Is it your mom?" he asked.
I froze slightly.
"I can handle her," he said, stepping closer again, taking my hands.
His touch was warm.
Too warm.
His hand moved to my face.
"Just say yes," he whispered.
His face was close.
Too close.
He pressed a soft kiss to my cheek.
My chest tightened.
I didn't know when it happened—
but I nodded.
Slowly.
He smiled instantly.
Relief.
He pulled me into a hug, kissing the top of my head.
I wasn't sure if I was saying yes to him… or just trying to silence everything else.
Then he pulled back.
"But…" I said quietly.
He looked at me.
"I want to take things easy."
A small pause.
"Slow."
He nodded quickly.
"Yeah. Sure. Anything you want."
He stretched his hand toward me, smiling.
"Come on."
I looked at his hand for a second.
Then I took it.
And we walked out together.
----
Nathan's POV
We walked back toward the table.
My hand was still in his.
It just… stayed there.
Warm.
Firm.
Like it belonged.
But it didn't feel like it did.
Not really.
As we got closer, I could already see them.
Melissa.
And—
Kieran.
Something in my chest tightened.
My steps slowed just slightly.
Zane kept walking, like nothing had changed.
My eyes flicked to Kieran.
He was already looking.
Not at Zane.
At me.
That was enough.
My hand slipped out of Zane's.
Quick.
Almost like a reflex.
Like I had touched something I wasn't supposed to.
Zane paused beside me.
Just for a second.
Then continued walking.
Like he hadn't noticed.
But I knew he did.
I looked up.
Melissa's gaze dropped briefly—
to our hands.
Or where they had just been.
Then back to my face.
A small smile curved on her lips.
Not innocent.
Not confused.
Just… observant.
Kieran didn't move.
Didn't react.
But his eyes followed everything.
The hand.
The distance.
Me.
And somehow—
that felt worse.
We finally reached the table.
"Sorry about that," Zane said casually.
Melissa leaned back slightly, her eyes still on me.
"No need to apologize," she said lightly.
Her fingers tapped once on the book in front of her.
Like she was thinking.
Calculating.
Kieran's gaze shifted to Zane.
Then back to me again.
Slow.
Deliberate.
"You took quite long," he said.
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
I swallowed.
"I just—" I started.
But stopped.
Because I didn't even know what I was going to say.
Zane pulled out his chair, completely unfazed.
"Miss me already?" he joked.
Melissa laughed softly.
"Maybe."
But her attention wasn't really on him.
Not fully.
She kept staring at Kieran.
Kieran leaned back slightly.
Like he had already seen enough.
And somehow—
that made it worse.
"We should do this some other time," Zane said.
"A double date," he added, a small smile playing on his lips.
Melissa smiled back.
"With our partners switched?" she asked, her tone light, almost teasing. Hand resting on her chin.
"If you insist," Zane replied, amused.
Her gaze shifted.
Not to Zane.
To Kieran.
I noticed she wasn't smiling at Zane anymore.
She was waiting—for Kieran to react.
But he was already looking out through the glass, like none of this concerned him.
Like he wasn't part of it.
But that only made it more obvious.