Self

Chapter 81

Yara caught the self–assured look in his eyes. Her brow creased in concern. She was about to speak when a voice cut through the air, “Yara?!”

Zachary, who was at a dinner party nearby, could not believe his eyes when he glanced through the café’s floor–to–ceiling windows, Shane and Yara–together?

Cafés were classic date spots, after all.

He rubbed his eyes, thinking he was seeing things. Nope, it was them.

Honestly, Zachary was not shocked that Shane would go after his good friend’s girl. He had seen Shane pull some wild stunts before.

Yara, though? Would she go along with it? That was enough to make Zachary’s jaw. hit the floor.

He watched them, his eyes darting between the two, his face a mix of emotions. opened his mouth to speak, but the words would not come.

He

Sensing the conversation was going nowhere, Yara forced a smile, said a quick hello to Zachary, and bolted.

With Yara gone, Zachary slid into her seat and faced Shane. “Hey, are you for real?”

“What?” Shane sipped his coffee with an air of nonchalance.

“I don’t think Yara will go for it.”

Shane’s hand froze, the cup halfway to his lips. “And why’s that?”

Zachary felt a twinge of discomfort at Shane’s sudden seriousness. “Well, two reasons. One, you’re not her type. And two, with your history with Yale, you guys are a no–go.”

In Zachary’s mind, Shane was not exactly Mr. Popular with the ladies.

Shane ignored him.

“Come on.” Zachary’s eyes twinkled with mischief as he leaned closer and lowered his voice. “Spill it. When did you fall for Yara?”

Shane casually peered out the window, savoring a sip of his coffee before he spoke.” It’s been a while. She and Yale haven’t been together that long, have they?”

“Seriously? You’re such a jerk!” Zachary clenched his teeth, disgusted by Shane’s lack of shame. “You’re after your friend’s ex, man!”

Shane just smirked. “Did I make a move when they were a thing? They’re over now. Can’t I at least think about it?”

“You’ve been into her from the start, and that’s just not cool.”

Shane scoffed. “Like you weren’t crushing on the same girl as Michael in high school?

Zachary sputtered, “I-

“I didn’t know any better back then! And hey, you can’t just decide who

you like-”

“So you’re saying feelings just happen, right? Why can’t mine do the same?”

Yale did not appreciate Yara, so it was up to him to give her the attention she deserved.

Shane did not swoop in and steal her; he waited until the right moment, considering his friendship with Yale.

He simply went after what he wanted.

Seeing Shane’s determination, Zachary ran his fingers through his hair, trying to reason with him. “Look, maybe you should just let it go? You know how Yara is. You can’t force these things.”

Yale had cut Shane off completely, vowing to end their friendship and declaring Shane unwelcome wherever he went.

Their social circle was on edge, careful not to get caught up in the drama.

The reason for their sudden split was the talk of the town.

Some whispered about business deals gone sour and unfair profit sharing.

Others thought it was family tensions, with elder pressure forcing a rift.

The rumor that turned the most heads was about a fight over a nightclub hostess.

That was the gossip that caught fire.

Zachary was a vault of secrets; whenever someone prodded, he would chuckle and change the subject.