“Really,” Haven said.
Zane nodded. “Anyway, they hired her and she starts next week.”
Trevor grinned. “She must really be excited. I’ll give her a call to congratulate her.”
“Dad bought her flowers and candy and took her out to dinner to celebrate,” Zane added.
Rachel brought the drinks, and Haven sipped what had to be the best martini she’d ever had. She sat back and listened to the brothers catch up for the next couple of hours.
Trevor was good about letting Zane lead. It was clear he was interested in what was going on in Zane’s life, both academically and socially. How could she have not known about this part of Trevor’s life before? Of course, she hadn’t been involved in his personal life when they’d been in college. Her attraction to him had been all physical. She’d never taken the time to get to know him, to ask him whether he had brothers or sisters, or to find out about his family situation.
They hadn’t been close then.
They weren’t now, either, but she liked spending time with him, liked seeing how funny he was with his brother, how they teased each other. It was obvious Zane adored Trevor, which spoke a lot to Trevor’s character.
“So are you going to grill him hard, Haven, and ask him why he thinks he has to work all the time and thinks he has to be the best at everything he does?” Zane asked.
“I intend to.”
“Good.” Zane finished his beer. “He thinks he’s a superstar.”
“No. I am a superstar. In sports. Just like you’re going to be a superstar in medicine. And shouldn’t you be back at your apartment studying?”
Zane rolled his eyes, then shifted his attention to Haven. “It’s like having another parent around. Always checking up on me. He wouldn’t even buy me beer before I turned twenty-one. What kind of big brother wouldn’t hook you up like that?”
“I’m shocked,” Haven said.
“At what? Me being law abiding and making sure my little brother didn’t get into trouble?”
“Yes. It definitely doesn’t fit in with your exploits in college.”
Zane leaned back in his chair. “Now these I want to hear about. He told us all he studied hard and went to bed early.”
Haven laughed. “He told you that?”
Trevor stood. “Time to go.”
Zane leaned back and crossed his arms. “I don’t need to leave.”
“Then we do.” Trevor took some money out and laid it on the table. “And you definitely do. Get back home and hit those books.” Zane rolled his eyes. “Whatever, Dad.” But he grinned, then stood and clasped his brother close for a hug.
“Thanks for coming, Zane,” Haven said. “It was a pleasure to meet you.”
“Great to meet you, too.”
“Take care, little brother. And hit those books.”
“Yeah, yeah. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
Haven felt wrapped up in all the affection between Trevor and Zane. As they walked to the car, she looked over at him. He had a small smile on his face.
They got in the car and drove off, and she made several mental observations.
“So, what did you think?” he asked as he pulled onto the highway.
“I think you really love your brother.”
He cocked a brow. “And that surprises you?”
“I don’t know. It shouldn’t, I suppose, but I never pictured you with family before. And then you were so adamant about them not being mentioned, so I didn’t expect this open affection between you and Zane.”
“My issue isn’t with Zane. Or with my mother.”
He was in such a good mood, she didn’t want to delve into his father—a topic that would obviously ruin that mood. “Zane’s a great guy. Very smart.”
Trevor visibly relaxed. “Yeah, he is. Much smarter than me.”
“Why do you say that? Just because he chose medical school and you chose sports? That doesn’t make someone smarter. That’s just a different career choice.”
“Trust me, he’s a lot smarter.”
She decided not to debate the issue with him.
“But I can kick his ass in sports.”
She laughed. “Ever the competitor, aren’t you?”
He slid a smile in her direction. “Always and forever.”
Chapter Seven
AFTER SUNDAY’S GAME—WHICH THE RIVERS WON, thankfully, after losing that tough, close game on Saturday—Haven and Trevor went back to the house to change and get ready for the party at Alicia’s.