Change With Me (With Me in Seattle 17.5)

“It happens so often,” Rina agrees. “And how many of those kids are hungry when they arrive at school or don’t have dinner? Too many. It’s my mission to feed them, even if it’s one at a time.”

“I want to be you when I grow up,” Aubrey says with a happy sigh and makes Rina blush.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen my best friend blush.

“Okay, enough of that,” Rina says, waving Aubrey off. “How about some dessert? I have strawberry shortcake.”

“I’ll help,” I offer and pick up some empty plates to take into the kitchen.

We’re far enough away from the dining room and Ben and Aubrey that when we get to the sink, Rina rounds on me.

“I like her,” she says. “I like her a lot. And I see the way you look at her.”

“How do I look at her?”

“Like you can’t live without her.” She grins. “Like you think she’s the best thing since sliced bread.”

“She’s great,” I agree with a nod. “Everything you heard at the table? That’s her. What you see is what you get with her. She’s nice. And I don’t think she gives two shits about the career or the celebrity. Or even the money.”

“Have you asked her?” Rina prods.

“No. It’s not like it comes up in conversation. ‘Do you have a problem with the fact that I’m rich and famous?’ That’s stupid.”

“It’s not stupid. You’ve had too many women sleep with you because you are those things, Zane.”

“Yeah, well, I know she’s not doing that. Sometimes, I think she’s with me in spite of it. And that’s damn hot, too.”

“For sure.” She pulls the dessert out of the fridge. “So, you’re sleeping with her.”

“Yeah, it’s been a few weeks now, I guess.” I’m not going to tell Rina that Aubrey was a virgin. That’s none of her business. “We spend pretty much all of our time together when we aren’t working.”

“And you’re not getting on each other’s nerves yet?”

“Not yet.” I laugh and set sponge cake on little dessert plates. “I don’t think there’s much she could do at this point to irritate me.”

I tell her about Aubrey’s reaction to the chef flirting with me, and Rina laughs her ass off.

“Oh, I really like her. Good for her for standing her ground. You can be intimidating, Zane, because of who you are. And the fact that she’s not afraid to be herself is refreshing.”

“Oh, yeah. She calls me out on my shit,” I confirm. “And I love that, too.”

I clear my throat and sigh. Rina scowls at me.

“What? What’s wrong? You don’t like strawberries?”

“I love strawberries.” I shift on my feet. “I don’t know. I guess a tiny piece of me wonders if it’s all too good to be true.”

Rina shakes her head.

“It’s not something I think of often because all I can think about is her, but now that we’re listing all of the wonderful things she has to offer, I can’t help but wonder—” I take a deep breath and rub my hand over my mouth. “Maybe she’s a good actress, and I see what she wants me to see.”

“You’re a damn idiot.”

I turn to see a fuming Aubrey standing behind me.

Chapter Nine

~Aubrey~

“I wonder what’s taking them so long,” I say and look over to the kitchen where Zane and Rina are chatting and plating the dessert. “I’ll go see if they need help.”

I walk up behind Zane, just in time to hear, “It’s not something I think of often because all I can think about is her, but now that we’re listing all of the wonderful things she has to offer, I can’t help but wonder—” He takes a deep breath and continues softly. “Maybe she’s a good actress, and I see what she wants me to see.”

I open and close my mouth, registering hurt, anger, and complete incredulity.

“You’re an idiot.” It’s the only thing I can think to say. Zane whips around, and his expression falls.

“Aub, I didn’t—”

“You said it, didn’t you? You know, you’ve said several times over the past few weeks: I love how honest you are. So, which is it, Zane? Am I honest, or am I a gold-digging actress?”

“You are an idiot,” Sabrina agrees and shakes her head. “And you always sabotage good things.”

“Just listen to me,” he says, but I shake my head and turn to leave the room. I’m pissed. If he’s had doubts about me, why didn’t he just say something? Why not just ask?

“Thank you for a lovely dinner,” I say to Rina and Ben, clenching my hands so they can’t see them tremble with my anger. “I enjoyed meeting you both. Rina, I really do want to volunteer with you, so let’s stay in touch, okay?”

“Of course,” Rina says with a smile and then scowls at Zane.

“I’d like to go home now,” I say politely. I will not have a fight in front of these nice people. I hate it when people have dramatic scenes in public.