Nan’s gaze drifts to me, and I glance down at her.“Sadly, you’re at a disadvantage thanks to me.I’ve told Paige so much about you and I haven’t told you anything about her.”
Sliding my arm around the younger woman’s slender waist, I pull her into my side.“We’ve been seeing each other for some time now and I’ll be escorting her to Friday’s dinner.”
“Oh.”My grandmother is now more than interested in the pretty brunette at my side.“How did you two meet?Your name is Hayes?”
Paige subtly trembles, glancing up at me with wide eyes, but there’s a glint of ire to them.
She may feel as though I’ve thrown her to the wolves, but Nan isn’t like that.Paige may not have the pedigree or stature of the families we do business and dine with, but Nan doesn’t care about that.Her father was a penniless immigrant when he first set foot on Canadian soil.She doesn’t believe wealth and power make the person and she won’t judge Paige on what she doesn’t have.
“Easy, Nan, you’re going to scare her away before I even have a chance to show her off.”I chuckle and my fake girlfriend playfully hits my chest.
Oh, our arrangement is going to work just fine.It’s too early to tell but we may be a match made in heaven.She already reads me well, or at least the cues I give her.
“We met because of a legal matter.He was kind enough to offer his help and here we are.”Almost every word out of her mouth is true.Smart.Although, I’m sure she wouldn’t call me kind if we weren’t talking to the matriarch of my family.
“Really?I hope he helped you with your problem.Is there anything I can do?”Nan rests her hand on Paige’s forearm and squeezes.
“That’s very kind of you, but Zach and I have it under control.”She pats Nan’s hand and peers up at me.“Honey, I’ve got to go.Mrs., um…Nan, I’m sorry to do this but I was just on my way out.I have to get to work, but it was a pleasure meeting you.”
“Oh, of course, dear.Don’t let me stop you.My grandson is so secretive, I’m glad I caught you with him.It was wonderful to meet you, too.”
We watch Paige smooth down the front of her cream dress and I’m drawn to the silky fabric hugging her curves.
“You said you had to get to work—what do you do?”
“I have my own business.It’s small but mine.I’m a design project manager.”
“Oh, a businesswoman, I like it.It sounds interesting—what exactly is involved?”
“When someone’s renovating or building their home, I will project manage the interior design.”
“Hmm, sounds fascinating.”Nan clasps her hands in front of her.
“It can be, or it can be challenging because builders and reno crews tend to over promise and blow past their deadlines.”She laughs.
“Very true.”Nan nods.“We have a lot of experience with that in our business, don’t we, Zachary?”
“Yes, we do.”I take Paige’s hand in mine and she opens her mouth, looking down to where we are joined, before shutting it again.“Nan, Paige really does have to go.”
“Oh, yes.We’ll talk more at the dinner.”
Once at the door, she stops, glancing back at my grandmother.“I look forward to seeing you Friday night.”
“You, too, dear.”Nan beams.
We walk to the elevator and surprisingly, she says nothing, almost as if lost in her own thoughts.“Thank you,” I say, breaking the silence.
“Pardon?”
“Thank you for not calling me out back there.You could have.”
“Yeah, I could’ve and where would that have gotten me?I’d still be no closer to solving my landlord situation.”She pushes the elevator button.“But don’t do it again.Talking with your grandmother made me realize we need to get our story straight.”
“Yes, we need to.”
“And I never said yes to Friday.What if I had plans on Friday night?”The elevator dings, signaling its arrival, and she slips into the metal car.
My hand keeps the door open as I take in the full length of her petite curvy body.“You’d have to cancel them.”
