Marissa’s eyes went wide. “Andrea’s with...you?” Her voice dripped with disgust. It had been a while since anyone used that tone to his face, and it brought back plenty of memories. None of them were pleasant. He thought of what his brother said a while back—that being mad at the world was exhausting. But this feeling? Being treated like shit? That was exhausting, too. He shook his head slowly, trying to balance his response. He was in a public place. And Hudson was right there.

“Good to see you, too, Mrs. Wentworth,” he said evenly.

Evie snorted from her side of the counter before walking away, asking Hudson if he wanted a chocolate milkshake. He pulled free from his grandmother and happily followed Evie to a counter stool far enough away to give them privacy. Zayne turned back to Marissa. “And yes, Hudson and I are friends. His mother and I are also...friends.” Anything else they were was none of her business.

Marissa deflated as if someone had popped her with a pin. “Oh my God. Andrea’s choice of men just keeps getting worse and worse. First she humiliates me by having a child out of wedlock by some married deadbeat stranger, and now she’s...” Her face twisted. “She’s with...a Rutledge. I thought I got you out of her life back in her senior year.” She rolled her eyes. “She has to be doing this to me on purpose, but to stoop this low...”

Sure, her words stung his pride, but more than that, they made him angry on Andrea’s behalf.

“Andrea’s a grown woman, making her own decisions and living her own life. Instead of bad-mouthing your only daughter, you should be proud of what she’s done for herself.”

“He’s right, you know.” Vickie Pendergast stopped next to Marissa on her way out the door with Gordy Lexiter. “Andrea’s putting together a stellar festival, and because of it, I hear she’s under serious consideration for the director job at the college.” Vickie’s eyes met Zayne’s. “And if she and Zayne are falling for each other, you should be happy for her.” Vickie winked, then left, taking Gordy’s arm.

Zayne appreciated the support, but it rankled that anyone thought it was necessary to defend him. He couldn’t move past Andrea’s mother referring to him as a Rutledge as if she was saying a disgusting troll. He frowned, thinking of something else she’d said.

“What did you mean when you said you got me out of Andrea’s life?”

She waved a hand dismissively, talking as matter-of-factly as if she was discussing grocery shopping. “I told Andrea I wouldn’t pay for her college if she remained friends with you, and that was all it took.”