Page 151 of Make Me Yours

I tilt my head, not even trying to hide my curiosity. “Really? He’s such a sweetheart.”

Callie’s expression hardens. “Are you forgetting that he’s part of Zane’s inner circle?”

And there it is.

That bitter knot of history tied too tight to unravel.

“He’s not Zane,” I say gently.

Her gaze flicks to mine, pain tucked behind her eyes. “No. But he stood by him. Through everything. Even when Zane didn’t deserve it.”

I reach over and squeeze her hand, only wanting to offer comfort and support.

Rina frowns. “What if it’s not that simple? Sometimes people stand by the ones they love because they’re trying to hold on to the good they remember. It doesn’t mean they agree with all the choices being made.”

“I don’t know,” Callie whispers. “It’s hard not to see him as part of that world. The one that hurt me.”

Sloane nods. “That’s fair. But he looked at you like you were the only person in this room.”

Rina hums her agreement. “If I were you, I might give him my number just to make a point to Zane.”

Callie finally cracks a smile. “You’re ridiculous.”

“But we’re your kind of ridiculous,” I say. “That’s why we’re all such good friends.”

Rina steals another bite of her pastry before adding, “Seriously though, you have to realize that if the man is here often enough to have a usual, it has nothing to do with the coffee.”

Callie releases a heavy sigh as she glances toward the front of the bakery. “He’s just always been around. At first, I thought it was a coincidence since we’re so close to the arena. Although lately, I don’t know. Maybe it’s not. But come on, he’s Zane’s friend. They used to be partners in crime.”

Rina tilts her head, her gaze sharpening. “You don’t owe Zane a damn thing. And you have every right to protect your peace. But also? You deserve someone who looks at you like you’re their entire universe.”

Callie exhales, her voice barely above a whisper. “The last thing I want is more drama. Or to getpulled back into that spotlight. That world doesn’t feel like mine anymore.”

“You’ve been through hell and back these last few years,” Sloane says, topping off her mug. “If River isn’t like Zane, maybe it’s okay to stop bracing for impact and just see what’s there.”

“I’m not saying fall into bed with him,” Rina adds. “But Sloane’s right. If he’s trying to prove he’s not like his teammate, maybe give him a little room to do it.”

Callie gives us all a long look, her gaze moving around the table. “You’re kind of ganging up on me right now.”

“You’re right, we are,” I admit, grinning. “But it’s only because we love you.”

“And we want more for you,” Sloane adds. “Someone who treats you like a queen.”

Rina leans back in her chair and swirls her coffee. “Also, someone who could maybe serve as a visual distraction when Zane and his twenty-one-year-old reality-starlet-of-the-week show up at the next Railers event.”

Callie rolls her eyes. “I can’t believe you just said that.”

“Oh, I’m not above a little petty justice,” Rina says cheerfully. “Just imagine the look on Zane’s face if River walked in with you on his arm.”

“You’re terrible,” Callie says with a laugh.

Rina shrugs. “I’m just saying. Maybe he deserves to squirm a little.”

We all fall quiet for a beat, the scent of fresh coffee filling the space around us. Outside, golden leaves swirl in the crisp October breeze, dancing past the bakery window like confetti.

Callie lifts her cup with a sigh. “Okay, fine. If he comes back again… maybe I’ll say more than one word to him.”

Sloane claps her hands. “Progress!”