"Damn, Zara… you are brave," Bree said, pulling Nathaniel out of his thoughts as he stood just outside the door, still eavesdropping. "Are you really ready to live with that iceberg?"
Zara shot her a sharp look. "Didn't you just say he has changed?"
"I didn't…" Bree held up her hands in surrender. "I was asking you!"
Zara rolled her eyes. "You are confusing me."
Nathaniel's jaw clenched. The joy that had bloomed just moments ago twisted into irritation. 'If Zara has a friend like Bree,' he thought bitterly, 'she doesn't need enemies.'
Forcing his expression neutral, he stepped into the room.
"Thanks for the lunch, Bree," he said tightly. "I'll take it from here. You must be tired. You should head home."
Bree blinked, caught off guard by the sudden cold tone. "Tired? Not at all," she replied brightly, flashing a smile. "Actually, you should rest. You have been running on fumes since you got back from that trip. I can stay with Zara all day. You come back later."
