Taking in how significantly bulked Zane was beneath his fitted navy-blue T-shirt, Madison wondered how Jack might have looked at this age. But Jack’s eyes were so much deeper . . . softer and more sensitive. When it came to the guy anyone could talk to, Jack was that guy. Hands down.
But if Jack was everyone’s confidant, Zane was the charmer. Even now, showering her mom with compliments and attention. It was great to see Joy smiling nonstop.
But calling me Frankie . . .
The nickname lingered in Madison’s mind as she thought back to herself as the girl who couldn’t get enough of being around her brother and his college roommate whenever they came home for holidays. Spring break. Could anyone fault a teenage girl for her first crush?
Everything was so right, and yet so strange at the same time. Her feelings were elusive, and something seemed off. Again, she fought to figure it out. Frankie.
Why had Zane come? It wasn’t just that he hadn’t called her Frankie in years. In fact, he hadn’t called her at all—not even after Jack’s funeral. It was understandable that he was closer to her parents, but just once it would’ve been nice to hear his voice for herself. To at least have him acknowledge her existence above a “give her my love.”
Just like the hug. It was nice enough, but weird. Zane had never been overly affectionate. At least, not with her. In his defense, what guy in his twenties wanted to be stuck babysitting? But who knew what he’d been through over the years. People changed.
The old nervousness that used to cause Madison unrelenting hives was now stealing her appetite, resulting in a heavy dose of unintentional bridal fasting. Food had become decidedly unappetizing. But maybe some local bread would satiate this carboholic’s needs. The upside of worrying was her waistline would be bridal-gown ready.
When the SUV ahead of them holding their security team signaled they were pulling over, theirs followed, securing two parking spaces that had been reserved for them. vip was printed on the sign in English. Their bodyguard spoke a foreign language into his radio, then in English back to the trio.
“There are a lot of nice shops and restaurants here with beautiful views. Mr. Drake will take care of all your expenses.”
Zane grinned. “I could use a Porsche.”
“Ooh, me too,” Joy said, joining in on the joke. “I bet I’ll be a hell of a cougar with that.”
Cringing, Madison covered her face. “Oh my God, Mom. I can see us double-dating now. Me and Alex, and you with someone younger than Zane.”
Zane opened his door. Grabbing Joy’s hand, he whisked her out, dragging her fanny along the leather seat. “Come on, cougar, let me show you the town. If I’m not too old for you.”
Elated, Joy hopped out, giggling with delight.
Zane’s single-finger summons coaxed Madison next. “You too, young lady.”
Madison couldn’t help but laugh, taking his hand and letting him skate her butt out too.
After a little food—very little for Madison—the trio was ready to hit the shops. Joy didn’t exactly need an excuse to splurge with Alex’s black card, grabbing one of everything before she headed into the dressing room.
With Joy busy trying on clothes, Zane turned to Madison. “Well, you’re all grown up.”
Shrugging, she said, “I guess it depends on your definition. Taller? A little. Adulting? Not by choice.”
Zane looked around, glancing at the positions of the bodyguards. He lowered his voice. “Listen, Madison. I didn’t want to mention this in front of Joy, but she called me. She’s worried about you.”
Puzzled, Madison asked, “She did?”
Well, that’s a miracle. How Mom got his number is beyond me. I had to program my own number in her phone.
Zane nodded, laying his hand on her shoulder. “She’s heard things about Alex and . . . look, there’s no reason to rush into anything.”
Patting Zane’s hand, Madison forced a smile. “I’m not.”
She could go into the details of everything they’d all been through—Alex and Paco, and even her dad. But looking into Zane’s eyes, to her the difference was crystal clear. This wasn’t her brother. Not even close. And something about the way Zane was rubbing her arm was sending her anxiety through the roof.
Shrugging him off, she moved across the store.
With a familiar arrogance that always rivaled his charm, Zane shook his head and laughed. “Seriously? You’ve known the guy for less than a year. His reputation alone should be a red flag.”
“Which reputation?” she asked. “The one for building a multibillion-dollar global empire from scratch?”
Propping his hands on his hips, Zane snapped back, “No. For having more women on his staff than Mary Kay.” Ignoring Madison’s eye roll, he kept going. “Face it, Madison, he’s a serial seducer.”
Before she could object, Joy was front and center.
“What do you think?”
For a woman in her early fifties, Joy’s dedication to yoga and running kept her in J-Lo condition. In a bright yellow bikini, sarong, and showing off the ample assets she’d passed on to Madison, Joy practically glowed in the revealing outfit.
His cheeks bright pink, Zane spun around. “Sorry, I’ve got to take a, uh, call.” He raced out of the shop faster than a sneeze through a screen door.
Joy turned to her daughter. “Okay, Madison, it’s up to you. Buy or don’t buy?”
Definitely yes if it’ll shut Zane up about Alex.
Staring down at her mother’s feet, Madison said, “Outfit . . . two thumbs-up. But faded tennies from a decade ago means we’re hitting the shoe store next. Hurry up and change, hot mama.” Madison swatted her mother lightly on the rear as she headed back to the dressing room.
“Psst.”
Madison turned toward the sound.
Zane was back, peeking his head out from under a mannequin’s arm. Wearing a pair of oversized dark glasses, he hissed, “Is the coast clear?”
Unable to stay irritated with him, Madison played along. Crossing her fisted hands over her chest in an X, she shot them down and wide, giving him the tactical signal for safe—all clear.
Standing taller, Zane slid the glasses to the top of his head. “Whew.” His hand made a long wipe across his forehead. “I was worried she was eyeing me for a cougar call of duty.”
“You sure she’s not?”
Their polite smiles faded.
“Look, Mads, I’m sorry for what I said. No one wants you happy more than I do. I just feel obligated to look out for you. Make sure you’re okay, and that you’re safe.” His hands rubbing up and down her arms seemed to be his way to reinforce his words.
Despite closing in on her for whatever he was about to do, she stopped him with a single word. “Mads.”
Letting her go, he looked away, but she pressed for more.
“Yes, Mads. That’s what you called me, what you’ve always called me since the first of a million times you teased me because I’d run off. You’d laugh, shouting—”
“Don’t be mad, Mads.” Zane ran his fingers through his hair, letting out a chuckle that sounded more nervous than anything.
A wisp of a memory clung to the nickname. She just couldn’t hold it long enough to remember.