Page 71 of Hold Me Tight

It’s comforting as hell.

Maybe Zane thought he could come and go from their lives whenever he pleased. Maybe he thought Callie would always be waiting in the shadows.

But he doesn’t get to be a father only when it suits him.

And Callie?

She’s no longer his.

And if I have anything to say about it, she won’t be ever again.

27

Callie

Sloane wipes her hands on a dish towel before glancing at the clock on the wall. “Want me to stick around and help close up?”

With a shake of my head, I offer a tired smile. “Nope. Go home. I know you’ve got class tonight.”

Her shoulders sag with relief. “Thanks. My brain’s already mush, and I haven’t even cracked open a textbook yet.”

I chuckle as she shrugs into her jacket and grabs her keys. “See you tomorrow.”

“Bright and early as always.”

She gives a quick wave before slipping out the door. I turn back to the long stretch of counter and begin wiping it down with slow, even swipes. The scent of cinnamon and powdered sugar still hangs in the air.

It’s both familiar and comforting.

Less than five minutes later, the door opens again.

Assuming it’s Sloane, I don’t bother looking up. “Uh-oh, what’d you forget?”

The silence that follows has the hairs on the back of my neck rising. I turn and freeze when I see the person standing there.

Zane.

I can’t remember the last time he stopped by the bakery, and definitely not this late in the afternoon. I scan his face, and realize there’s a storm brewing in his expression.

Without thinking, I take a hasty step in retreat. “What are you doing here?”

His upper lip curls. “Why the hell are you shacking up with River Thompson?”

The way he says it, like it’s something dirty, makes me flinch.

“I’m not,” I say automatically, but the words ring hollow the second they leave my mouth. The truth is that I’m living with River now, sleeping in his bed, and letting him touch me.

He makes me feel things I haven’t felt in a very long time.

I steady myself and lift my chin. “If you remember, I asked you for help and you couldn’t be bothered. So, when River offered, I said yes. It’s as simple as that.”

Zane steps closer, his jaw tight. “I don’t like you messing around with one of my teammates.”

Anger sparks in my chest. “That’s not what’s going on.”

He raises a brow in disbelief. “Are you sure about that?”

My mouth opens as I prepare to defend myself and explain that I’m just trying to keep my head above water, but I stop and snap my lips shut. “We’re not together anymore. That was your decision. You’ve moved on and are talking about getting married. As long as your life doesn’t negatively impact Nora, it’s none of my business. And I won’t say a word about it.”