His nerves were obvious. Sweat gathered in his palms as he stammered, “Well… actually…”

A rush of anxiety tightened his chest, but he managed to get it out. “How do you see me?”

Hadley had just reached up to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear when the question hit her. She stopped mid-motion, surprise written all over her face. So her earlier guess had been right after all.

Just like her brother Brady, Zane wasn’t simply being courteous by paying for their dinner. There was a deeper meaning behind it.

Now that he had asked her so openly, Hadley found herself caught off guard, unsure how to answer.

“Zane…” Her words caught in her throat before she managed to say, “You’re honestly one of the kindest people I know.”

A kind person.

Zane didn’t look surprised by her answer. He offered her a faint smile. “Thank you.”

His gaze softened as he looked at her. “You’re just as remarkable, you know.”

The sudden exchange of compliments left Hadley momentarily speechless. Was this really happening?

Zane’s next words came out quieter, layered with both hope and uncertainty. “Would you ever consider seeing where things might go with this kind person before you?”

Hadley’s breath caught in her chest. He had put it all out there.

When had these feelings begun for him? Had she really missed all the signs?

Her mind flickered back to Eric’s drunken complaints. Compared to her, he had always been more perceptive.

Hadley’s eyes drifted downward, avoiding his. Zane truly was a wonderful man, but the thought of starting something deeper with him had never crossed her mind.

Stay tuned for more glnoνes.c?m

It had nothing to do with Zane himself. She just wasn’t in a place to consider dating anyone anytime soon.

All those words she had tossed at Eric were simply meant to push him away for good.

Her priorities were clear. Raising Joy and building her career were the only things that mattered to Hadley right now.

A thoughtful frown appeared as she searched for the right words. “I’m sorry, Zane. I’m not ready for anything like that right now.”

After a pause, she softened her voice. “It might be a long while before I even think about dating anyone again. Honestly, I can’t say how long. I hope you understand.”

That was her gentle way of telling him not to wait around.

“I get it,” Zane replied, nodding. Still, the disappointment showed in his eyes, his brows drawing closer together.

A note of regret colored his voice as he said, “I shouldn’t have dropped this on you. My feelings for you are real, but I never wanted to put you on the spot…” He struggled to find the right words. “You just got out of a relationship. It makes sense that you’d need time and space.”

With every attempt to explain on her behalf, his nerves got the better of him. Letting out a frustrated sigh, Zane rubbed his temples. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said all that or made things uncomfortable for you. It wasn’t my intention.”

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