Little Flame

CHAPTER FIVE: BRIANNA

The soft glow of candlelight flickered across the living room, casting dancing shadows on the walls as I settled onto the couch, a glass of red wine in hand. It was supposed to be a quiet night—a girls’ night. Just me, Leah, and Sophie, catching up, talking about everything and nothing. But my mind kept drifting back to him.

Zane Moretti.

Leah flopped down beside me, a teasing grin already on her face. Sophie was sitting across from us, her legs tucked underneath her, looking far too amused for someone who had no idea what was going on in my head.

“So, Brianna,” Leah began, her voice light and teasing, “how’s your little admirer?”

I stiffened, nearly spilling my wine as I shot her a glance. “Admirer? Please,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant, but the way Leah was looking at me made it impossible to keep my composure. “I don’t even know why we’re talking about him.”

Sophie raised an eyebrow. “Uh-huh. That’s the same thing you said when you *first* met him, and look where we are now.” She wiggled her eyebrows for emphasis, clearly enjoying the show.

I rolled my eyes, setting my glass down on the coffee table with a little more force than necessary. “You guys really need to stop,” I muttered.

Leah leaned back, crossing her arms with a sly smile. “Oh, come on, Brianna. You can’t tell me you’re not thinking about him. You’ve barely mentioned anyone else since you met him.”

I swallowed a frustrated sigh, feeling the heat creep up my neck. “You know it’s not like that.” But even I knew my own words didn’t sound convincing. The truth was, I *had* been thinking about him. More than I cared to admit.

“Right,” Leah said, her voice dripping with amusement. “Sure, it’s not. But just for the record, you *did* text him back. A couple of times, I think.” She nudged me with her elbow, leaning closer. “I mean, come on. What’s the deal with this guy? He’s clearly not just some random guy.”

Sophie chimed in from across the room, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “I agree. You’ve been way too calm about this Zane guy. We’re talking about *Zane Moretti*, Bri. The man has a reputation. And you? You’re usually so... controlled. Not letting anything or anyone in.”

I took a deep breath and leaned back, trying to hold my ground. “He’s not *that* important,” I said, but it came out more like a lie than I’d intended. “It’s just... I don’t know. It’s not even about him.”

Leah didn’t buy it. “It’s totally about him,” she teased, grinning like she’d just cracked a code. “I mean, have you seen the guy? He oozes confidence. Charisma. You’d be lying if you said you didn’t feel a little something when he walked in.”

I scowled, but I couldn’t help the tiny flutter of warmth that spread in my chest at the thought of his gaze. The way he looked at me—almost like he could see through the walls I built. But no. I wasn’t letting him in. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

“He’s not like the others, though,” I said, more to myself than anyone else. “He doesn’t play by the same rules. It’s... different.”

Sophie, ever the one to push boundaries, leaned forward. “Different how? Because he’s not trying to woo you with sweet talk and flowery compliments? Or because he makes you feel things you’re not used to feeling?”

I shot her a look. “Don’t be dramatic.”

Leah’s grin only widened, clearly enjoying this conversation way too much. “Oh, it’s drama, alright. But, Brianna, let me be honest. I’ve never seen you react to someone like this. And I’ve known you for *years*. You don’t let people get close. So whatever this is with Zane... you’re not fooling anyone.”

I hated how much she was right. There was something about Zane that had gotten under my skin. The way he approached me, so sure, so unwavering. He hadn’t tried to impress me. He hadn’t tried to be charming. He had simply... *been*.

And I hated how much I wanted to unravel him.

I crossed my arms, trying to seem unaffected. “I’m not interested in whatever game he’s playing. I’ve got enough to focus on without him.”

Sophie leaned back with a thoughtful expression. “Uh-huh. But you’ll admit, you’re intrigued, right?”

I didn’t answer right away. The truth sat there, heavy in the air between us, but I wasn’t ready to face it. Not with them watching.

Finally, I let out a breath. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to feel about him. But it’s *different*. He’s... not what I expected. And that’s what bothers me.”

Leah and Sophie exchanged a knowing look, their smiles dropping a little as they took in the shift in my tone. “Brianna,” Leah said softly, “you don’t have to figure it all out right away. Just... don’t shut it down too quickly. You deserve someone who can keep up with you.”

I shook my head, a part of me feeling vulnerable in a way I wasn’t used to. “It’s not about someone keeping up with me. It’s about control. And I don’t give that away easily.”

Sophie grinned again. “I’m pretty sure Zane would argue that point.”

I shot her a look, but it was too late—the playful teasing had already worked its way under my skin, and now I couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe... maybe they were right. Maybe Zane Moretti wasn’t just another fleeting distraction.

Maybe he was something else entirely.

But I wasn’t about to admit that just yet. Not to them. Not to anyone.

Author's note:

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