Zane's POV

Seeing Belle now, sitting just across the table, her eyes avoiding mine at every turn, made the drinks I had picked up earlier seem pointless.

I had been so convinced I’d need something strong to get through this evening, but now, they felt like a weight I didn’t want to carry.

Amanda, ever the lively one, caught my quiet demeanor and decided to poke fun at it. “So, Zane,” she started with a teasing smirk, “are you really as obedient as you look, or are ...