Page 114 of Here & Now

“I hope you’re taking good care of my sister,” Ivy said, her eyes aglow.

“I’m doing my best,” Zane said.

“He is,” Bree assured them. In fact, she felt calmer just having him nearby.

“How long have you lived next door?” Sam asked.

Bree suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. This was her dad’s way of vetting Zane, and he would have done the same with any guy.

Zane didn’t seem the least bit bothered by it. He was his usual calm, charismatic self. “I’ve lived on the island all my life, but I bought the house next door about six months ago.”

“That explains why we never met you before,” Paula said. “We haven’t been down there since my mom got sick.”

“I’m sorry for your loss. Bree’s told me a lot about your parents, and they sounded like wonderful people.”

“Thank you. They were,” Paula said, her voice wavering.

Ivy rested a hand on her mom’s shoulder in a show of support.

“What do you do for a living?” Sam asked.

Jack and Ivy snorted, and Sam scowled at them.

Zane didn’t miss a beat. “I own an outfitter’s shop. We rent sports equipment, like bikes, kayaks, and fishing gear.”

“They also offer dolphin cruises, parasailing, and fishing expeditions,” Bree added proudly.

Zane swung his arm around her and gave her a squeeze. “The shop has been in my family for years. I inherited it after my dad retired.”

“Do your parents still live on the island?” Paula asked.

Zane shook his head. “They moved to Cape Coral, but we’re still really close.”

“Just like us,” Ivy said, looking pleased with his answer.

“Any brothers or sisters?” Sam asked.

“No, but my buddy Marco is like a brother to me.”

“Marco works at the shop too,” Bree added.

“What about all your things? Won’t you have to come home to get them?” Paula said, switching gears again.

Her mom was still trying to come to grips with her moving, and Bree suspected she’d be the same someday, assuming she could have kids. She was just about to speak when Ivy piped in.

“We could bring Bree’s things to her. That way, we can meet Zane in person.” Ivy’s eyes and voice were lit up with the idea.

“What about Sofie? Isn’t she too young to travel?” Bree asked.

“I’d be worried about taking her on a plane, but not in a car. We can stop as often as we need to, and I’d have plenty of help,” Ivy said.

“You want us to drive all the way to Sanibel?” Sam said with dismay.

“It would be fun. We haven’t driven there in a long time,” said Paula.

“Thanksgiving isn’t far off. We could go then, when we have some extra time off,” Jack suggested.

While Bree’s family batted the idea around, it was almost like they’d forgotten she and Zane were sitting there. She turned to him, and he was smiling just as big as she was.