at Meredith.
Cruz could understand that, but he had to think of a solution. As it came to him, he hid a grin. Meredith might not like it with the way their night had ended, but it might keep Zane from checking on her at night and scaring her. He was so innocent.
“I’m Meredith’s boyfriend now,” he said decisively. “So, I’ll check on her at night.”
Meredith’s gaze widened, and she looked adorably confused. After he talked to Zane, he was going to take her in his arms and un-confuse her and their relationship. He hoped.
“But I loves her.” Zane jutted out his chin, prepared to do battle.
Cruz worried that maybe this obsession of Zane’s might be dangerous, but the guy had never hurt anyone or anything. He was so good and kind. Cruz put an arm around Zane like he used to do at parties or school events to protect him. “I’m sorry, man. I know she’s amazing, but she loves me. We’re together now. Thanks for watching over her while I was gone,” he added to hopefully soothe the guy.
Meredith let out a gasp. Zane and Cruz both looked her way. Cruz begged her with his gaze to admit that she did love him. If that wasn’t possible, maybe she could at least pretend, so they could keep Zane from stalking her at night.
“Is he true?” Zane asked her, getting bolder in his ability to look at Meredith. Cruz didn’t blame Zane for loving her or for having a hard time looking at her. She was so beautiful that she shone like an angel in his mind.
Meredith took a long breath, swallowed, stared right into Cruz’s eyes, and said, “He is true, Zane. I love him. I’m sorry.”
Cruz swayed on his feet. She loved him. His world was spinning. Was she only saying it to keep Zane from an unhealthy obsession for her, or was she being sincere? Her beautiful eyes said she meant it.
Cruz found himself leaning into Zane for support. “You okay, Cruz?” Zane asked.
Cruz straightened and stared at Meredith. “Better than okay,” he admitted. “Are you okay, bud?”
Zane looked between the two of them for a second. The air felt charged with tension and anticipation and happiness for Cruz and Meredith’s future. Was he hoping for far too much?
Zane nodded. Cruz released him and stuck out his hand. Zane shook it. “Nobody else would I give to Meredith,” Zane said solemnly. “You a good guy, always been a good guy. You worthy of Meredith.”
“Thank you, Zane,” Cruz murmured as he felt himself choke up.
Zane nodded and glanced back at Meredith. “Sorry I scare you. I won’t do it again. You love my friend Cruz.” Then he walked off into the darkness.
Cruz watched him go and felt more emotion than he’d allowed himself to feel in years. Zane might not have been all there mentally, but his endorsement that Cruz was worthy of Meredith meant as much to him as anything he’d heard. Some people said Zane was slow, but Cruz thought he saw things on a spiritual level that most missed. This was finally his chance. Cruz could be with Meredith like they’d both just claimed to Zane.
He turned to her, praying they could talk things through, praying he could express things correctly. It was far past want with Meredith. He needed her. He loved her. It was time to beg her to be with him.
Meredith studied Cruz as Zane disappeared. It was a huge relief that Zane was the person who’d been creeping around her house. She couldn’t believe she’d admitted to Cruz that she loved him. Had he only asked because he wanted to keep Zane from stalking around her house at night, or was there a deeper motivation? He hadn’t said he’d loved her, only told Zane they were together now.
Something in Cruz’s face had lit up when Zane had said he was a good man. It touched her heart. He was a good man. Cruz turned to her, and she saw his jaw was working and his blue eyes were suspiciously bright.
“What?” Meredith stepped closer to him. “What is it, Cruz?”
He shook his head. “You’ll think I’m … crazy.”
“No, I won’t. What is it?”
He stared off into the night and admitted, “Zane saying I’m worthy of you. That meant a lot.”
Her own eyes widened. What was he talking about? Of course he was worthy of her. “Zane thinks highly of you,” she said cautiously.
“He’s a good guy.” Cruz stared at her and finally