Zoe set her tea glass back on the table with her free hand. “I’m thinking Sunday evening. Why? You want to get rid of your little sister?”
Alex laced his fingers with hers. If only he could keep her with him a little longer.
Jackson waved away her comment. “No, I’m glad you came. It means a lot to me.”
Zoe winked at him. Alex never knew the joys of having a biological sibling, but Lisa came close. He listened to the rest of the group chatter, along with the customer murmurs in the background. Once their checks arrived and they paid, the group made its way back to the bus.
Though he wanted to see her off, he wouldn’t with her brother watching. Alex scrubbed a hand over his face. This was torture. What did Jackson have against him, anyway? He had a past. Who didn’t?
Didn’t it count that he was changing his ways? He wanted to be better. Not just for Zoe, but for him. Zoe was a part of his reasons, but the more Alex reflected on his life, he wasn’t happy.
His shallow relationships weren’t even relationships. He’d settled, thinking that was all he could get. Not anymore. He wouldn’t go back. He wanted better, and he wanted Zoe.
His eyes glanced over at her talking with Noelle and Bailey. Roslyn joined them not long after. Alex stared only at Zoe. She glowed. The moonlight illuminated off her smooth skin. He recalled touching it when they kissed. She’d been so soft.
“You like my sister?” Jackson asked from behind him.
“Sounds like you know already.” He turned to face his band mate.
Jackson fixed his eyes on him. “I’d rather hear your side of the story.”
He wouldn’t lie. “Yes.”
Jackson’s mouth twisted, but then he continued. “She told me, but I can’t deny that I’ve seen the way she looks at you, and the way you look at her.”
Alex swallowed. He wouldn’t pick a fight with her brother. It would worsen things. “I won’t lie to you. I care about her—a lot.”
Jackson’s eye contact remained strong. He moved closer. “I can’t tell her what to do. She’s a grown woman. I will say that if you hurt her, you’ll deal with me.”
Alex didn’t flinch. “You have nothing to worry about.”
“Good.” He stepped back and called out to the group. “Let’s get on the bus guys.” He turned his back on Alex.
Alex released a breath he didn’t know he was holding.
“I guess this is goodnight,” Zoe said.
He pivoted to face her. Her eyes shined and his heart perked up. “I guess so.” He wouldn’t tell her about his conversation with her brother. Not yet.
“I wish we could... I hate that you have to go.” Her eyes fixed on his lips.
His mouth quirked. “Me too. I’ll be back soon.” He reached for her hand, pulling her into his embrace. “I’ll miss you.”
She grinned. “Good.”
He laughed. “You’re not going to miss me?”
“Maybe.”
Alex wanted to kiss her until she was breathless, but he had to leave. Instead, he planted a soft kiss to her lips. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight,” she said.
Alex walked back to the bus. If only he wasn’t leaving the best thing that ever happened to him.
***
“The weekend went by too fast,” Roslyn said, pulling Zoe into a hug.