Page 14 of A Return For Ren

Zane hadn’t been so thrilled to find out that Reese made Poppy cry and stood up for her. It was all in the past now, Reese and Poppy engaged and living on the big estate where they’d first met.

Even Rose, who never dated, was now in what seemed to be a serious relationship with Thomas Klein, the girls’ attorney. Thomas was Zara’s attorney too for the business.

She’d had someone else years ago but recently decided to give the business to Thomas. It felt like he was family of sorts and he’d done a lot for the Bloom sisters.

Everyone around her was finding someone and she was still left alone wondering what she did wrong to have Ren leave her the way he had.

“I did,” she said. “And I don’t want Zane saying anything to Ren. I’m watching his son and I have to figure this out.”

“I’m sure you were sweet as pie to him too,” Zane said. “You never get mad. You never say what you should.”

“I couldn’t say what I wanted to,” she said. “It’s my business. There were children there. Regardless of how I feel about a parent, I wouldn’t take it out on any child.”

“And we know in this small town everyone knows the other’s business,” Lily said. “You’re a saint to pretend you don’t hear it all.”

“You’ve never said much either,” she said to Lily.

“No. So I can understand it. But I do stand my ground. I’m the straight shooter, but sometimes it’s not worth getting into it with people. I’ve told Zane that for years.”

“She has,” Zane said. “I’m taking my beer to the shower. I need it. I’m assuming you’re staying for dinner?”

“I am,” she said.

“Then I’ll talk to you when I come down.”

“You needed the wine for Zane?” Lily asked.

“I know he was pissed because I was so upset after the breakup. I wanted him to know and to not say anything if he saw him.”

“Do you think Zane will see Ren?” Lily asked as she set the table.

“I’m sure he will. It’s a small area, as we know.”

“Back to my question earlier. What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know,” she said. “I have all these questions.”

“Then ask them,” Lily said.

“I can’t do it at work.” And there was part of her that wasn’t sure she wanted to know the answers either. Or if she could even handle them.

Zane was right. She was always a nice girl. She never got mad at anyone, or if she did, she kept it to herself.

“No,” Lily said. “But you don’t work on the weekends. You don’t work at night.”

“I don’t,” she said. “Though he’s here helping his mother. I’m sure Tess wants to spend time with her grandson.”

“Which would give Ren time to answer some of your questions. I think he owes you, don’t you?”

“I want to say yes, but he might not feel that way.”

“Zara,” Lily said. “I’m sure he could have found someone else to watch his son at some point. If he works remotely, he might have been able to work between watching his son or at night. Do you know what he does?”

“No,” she said. “He went to MIT. He was really big into computers. My guess is he is some kind of software person. That was what he talked about.”

“Back to my point,” Lily said. “He didn’t have to bring his son to you, but he did. Maybe it was the only way he thought he could see you.”

She shrugged. She didn’t want to admit that she’d caught Ren staring at her when he didn’t think she was watching.