“Yeah. Sure. I guess.” Zoe lay on her back, threw the pillow over her face, and wished she could suffocate herself.
“So, cults go after people like you. They smell it.”
She removed the pillow so she could talk. “This is so not a cult.”
“Did Olivia take you to a religious ceremony?”
Zoe moaned, turned onto her stomach, and sunk her face back into the pillow. She turned and said, “A celebration of the start of Solstice.”
“Uh huh…and?
“Oh for crying out loud. I did not get indoctrinated.” She almost forgot to keep her voice down.
Nan didn’t. “What am I supposed to think? That you really can conjure up a vortex of purple energy or rather that you had a serious dose of hallucinogens? Don’t eat anything else they offer you. Better yet. Go home.”
“I can’t. Remember stalker guy? Listen. I appreciate the advice. I’ll be careful. And Nan?
“What?”
“Thanks.”
“What are best friends for? Just one more thing.”
“Sure.”
“What’s this guy’s name?”
“Jack.”
“Last?”
“Fia-something. I can’t remember.”
“Get it for me. I mean it.”
Zoe promised she would and hung up the phone. She stared up at the ceiling and sighed. What was she supposed to do? Nan was right, any sane person would hightail it out of there first thing in the morning.
Her thoughts drifted to Jack. There was no denying there was something between them. He’d touched her, and for the first time she could remember, she hadn’t drawn back at the physical contact. In fact, she’d actually liked it–craved it. The ache in her chest that never seemed to disappear, had for the briefest moment, dissipated.
Maybe she should give the man a chance.
No. She wasn’t that insane.
Chapter 6
Jack wandered onto the height of the beach dune and sat down on a town bench. He sipped his coffee and let the morning breeze clear his hangover while the ocean churned. The sun burned through the haze, in promise of a beautiful day.
The lone figure by the ocean’s edge cast long blue shadows on the sand. Tiny running shorts and an exercise bra left little to the imagination. She stretched her perfectly toned figure into impossible poses that he surmised must be yoga.
Which of those positions would she take to his bed?
Palms to her chest, she bowed to the sun, and then turned to run barefoot down the beach. A dark ponytail bounced behind her until it faded into the mist.
He picked up his cell phone and dialed his personal assistant. He braced for the assault and she didn’t disappoint.
“My God, Jack. It isn’t even seven yet. I thought you were taking a few days off. I was counting on a few hours of peace and–”
“Good morning to you, too.” He smiled when he heard her huff on the other end. “I just have a couple things for you to take care of. First, did our guys find out anything on Zoe Burton?”
