Page 84 of Fierce-Zander

“My parents will.”

“Are you going to tell your parents what the Fierces are up to?” Royce asked. “Your father will laugh and hold his hands up and say he wants no part of it. Your mother...I’m not sure what she’ll say.”

Zander had told her he’d told Carolyn and Diane his father would have that reaction. She found it nice that Royce knew Zander’s family so well to know that.

“Why do you say that about Zander’s mother?”

“She wants him settled down so she might not be against giving him a nudge. But I also know that Marjorie is very pro about people making their own decisions and choices in life.”

“And that they pay the price for those choices if they aren’t right,” Zander said.

“I feel the same way,” she said.

“You and my mother will get along well,” he said. “She’ll love you.”

“As much as you love her?” Chloe asked.

Regan turned and saw Chloe and Royce laughing. She hadn’t said she was in love with Zander and didn’t know if Zander was the type to say that either.

“Is it that easy to see?” she asked.

“No,” Chloe said. “What I see is what Royce and I had. One of those things was attraction is the first driving force, but then you start doing things for each other without asking. Or finishing each other sentences. The looks you have between each other. It’s pretty obvious, and once your employees see you both together in the same spot, you’re not going to be able to hide it long.”

“And this is why I wanted to come here,” Zander said. “I’m thinking our time is limited. I wanted to see if people close to us could notice what we might be blind to.”

She was used to being in control but accepted that she might not have it now.

25

STORY BEHIND IT

The minute Zander got home on Sunday, he decided it was time to call his mother and let her know what was going on.

Last night wasn’t a test or anything with Regan and his best friend. It was to get everyone to meet.

But he’d learned that he was someone who could wear his emotions and feelings on his sleeve if it meant something important and serious. Which it did.

Maybe for years he’d held back with the fear that he might not be enough for someone.

That he could let them down.

It didn’t seem he was having much luck holding anything back with Regan.

“Hi, Zander,” his mother said when she answered on the third ring.

“Am I interrupting you?”

“No,” his mother said. “I was only baking cookies and my phone was on the other side of the kitchen.”

“Cookies?” he asked. “What kind?”

“Chocolate chip. Nothing fancy. Your father said he was craving them and I thought it sounded good too.”

“Are you going to give Dad some to bring into the office tomorrow?”

“I will,” his mother said. “Is everything okay? I hope you aren’t calling to say you won’t be here for Thanksgiving on Thursday.”

“No, I’ll be there,” he said. “I wanted to let you know I’m dating someone.”