Considering how he had turned down her proposition during their blind date, Zane thought they had reached a consensus: they would not work out in the long run.

Sasha should have seen other people and gone on other blind dates after that. He certainly hadn't expected her to turn up at his office. Frowning, Zane blocked her way and asked, "Can I help you?" Sasha scowled when he refused to let her through. "Why did you turn me down when I asked to meet you tomorrow?"

She followed up with an accusatory tone, "Is it because you don't want to see me?"

Zane made his stance clear. "Yes. Ms. Weston, I think we've talked about many things in detall during our first meeting" He added pointedly. "I do not and will not agree to what you suggested.

"With that said, we should stop wasting each other's time with these pointless meetings, don't you think?"

Sasha did not seem to realize his reproach, for she countered boldly, "But I like your face, and I think you should try to date me. You might fall in love with me as we hang out over time and prioritize me over Willow! Who knows, you might willingly send her to live with some She would never allow herself to become someone's stepmother.

Zane bit out without hesitation, "No way."

"How would you know if you never tried? Sasha challenged

"Because I would never date anyone who won't accept my daughter," Zane said, deadpan and impassive. "Do you get it now?"

Headstrong as she was, Sasha was about to argue with him when he continued, "If you get it, then leave and never bother me again. If you insist on staying, I'll call security. I'm sure they have ways to make you leave."

When Sasha saw how serious Zane was, she left in disappointment.

Zane turned to head back into his office, only to find Annalise staring in his direction. His tone softened without his knowing as he said, "If you have questions, just ask."

I walked up to Zane and asked, "Who was that young lady?"

Zane met my gaze, chuckling. "A blind date."

I thought they were exes who had parted on bad terms. "She seemed pretty interested in you. Ten to one, she'll come back to hound you.

He did not deny this, though he pointed out cryptically, "You should be prepared."

I gave him a baffled look. "Why?"

"Because my mom just called earlier this afternoon and pestered me to go out with Sasha," Zane explained matter-of-factly. "I refused. I turned Sasha away again when she came by earlier.

"And with my mom hoping I'd get together with Sasha..." He analyzed his situation calmly. "She's never been one to give up until she gets her way, and if she wants me to be with Sasha... I won't put it past her to take Willow away by force."Property © of .

He glanced elsewhere. "You and Willow are close. Eventually, my mom and Sasha will discover you're in the picture. And with Willow calling you 'Mommy and me 'Daddy', my mom will think of you as the biggest obstacle keeping Sasha and me from dating" I fell silent. Did this mean Zane's mother would take me out of the equation herself?

Zane reassured me gently, "But don't worry. As long as we drop Willow off at school and pick her up together, my mom and Sasha won't be able to get past me and go after you."