Steal(Seaside Pictures Book 3)(9)

And then Zane Andrews was running toward me at full speed.

I had about zero time to dodge him before one of the most gorgeous singers alive scooped me up, tossed me over his shoulder, and carried me into the house.

I stopped fidgeting when he sat me on my feet.

“Saved your life. You’re welcome.” He winked then rejoined his girlfriend at the breakfast bar. They had about seven bags of marshmallows and enough Rice Krispies to sell treats at the fair.

“You guys doing a bake sale?” I awkwardly forced my stance to look relaxed when it was the exact opposite of what I felt, especially since I could feel Will’s presence on the opposite end of the room.

That’s the thing about love.

It doesn’t give a shit how uncomfortable.

How angry.

How sad.

How disappointed you are.

It still demands to be felt.

And no matter how much history I had with Will — I always felt him.

It was my cross to bear.

My curse to carry.

“So…” Zane leaned his muscled body across the table much to the dismay of Fallon who was trying to mix the ingredients together. “What do I get?”

“Pardon?” I was still dizzy from all the marshmallows and the fact that Fallon, being a normal, small-town girl was able to breathe around a guy so famous and good looking that most girls would sell both kidneys for one night in his arms and die saying it was worth it.

“Stop pestering her.” Fallon rolled her eyes and gave me a sympathetic look. “He’s annoying — he can’t help himself. Your best bet is to shove a marshmallow in his mouth to keep him from speaking.” She shot him a longing gaze and sighed. “At least he’s pretty.”

He scolded. “Graduated with honors, babe.”

“That’s true.” She blushed as he placed a sticky kiss against her neck.

So out of place I wanted the floor to open up and let me sink down the giant crack.

I hated that feeling.

The one of not belonging.

I’d felt it my entire life.

Will’s voice rose an octave from the corner of the room as he paced in front of the fireplace and thrust a hand through his wavy golden hair.

I looked away.

And forced myself to forget the way his hair had felt between my fingers, just like I purposefully made myself forget the way I’d always felt in his arms.

Alive and home.

“I think we lost her,” Zane whispered.

I jerked my attention back to them. How long had they been staring while I stared longingly at Will?

Great.

It had been years since I’d blushed, and yet I felt a really strong one filling my cheeks as Zane looked between us. “It’s okay, you know.”

“Now what are you talking about?” I snapped in the voice I used when I was annoyed and wanted the other person to back the hell off. Typically it worked.

But Zane Andrews wasn’t typical.

He just grinned wider and shrugged. “We all have our shit, Ang.” He tossed another marshmallow in the air. I caught it with my right hand, nearly squishing it between my forefinger and thumb before popping it into my mouth. “Take me for example. I was a virgin before I met this one.” He pulled Fallon in for a side hug, and I choked on my marshmallow. “And I have such bad anxiety that sometimes all I want to do is move into a marshmallow-shaped house and die of sugar consumption.”

“Like Candy Land.” I nodded needing to fill the awkward conversation with my voice.

“Right, but with marshmallows.” His grin was so calming, I couldn’t look away. “I mean take a look at Will, the guy still can’t pee standing up. I’ve tried everything, even tossed a few Cheerios in the bowl, but still, the guy lacks the ability to just tug it out and go. Hell, I even bought Froot Loops thinking the colors would help—”

“The hell are you talking about?” Will snapped.

The hairs on the back of my arms stood on end as I gulped and waited for him to turn his attention to me and whatever I was doing to piss him off in that second. Instead, he scowled at Zane and crossed his arms.

Zane grinned. “It’s okay to admit to your friends, man, just because you have to sit down…” His grin widened. “Like a chick…”

Will pinched the bridge of his nose. “I think I just made Angelica my new favorite client.”

“And all it took was confessing your deepest darkest secret in front of her and Fallon.” Zane chuckled, and Will joined in.

My mouth gaped open.

“Aw, there it is!” Zane slow clapped. “The sexy Sutherland Sunset.”

Will burst out laughing then charged Zane. “I’m bigger than you.”

Zane danced sideways, and Will pulled up sharp. “You have maybe ten more pounds of muscle on me. I’m faster, besides aren’t you getting kind of up there in age? Could break a hip then lack the ability to perform in any sexual capacity… and for what? To take a cheap shot at your favorite client? The same one who just hit number one on Billboard?” He shook his head slowly, “What would the agency say?”