“This is gorgeous.”
“Yes, it’s nice to have a little green space in the city.”
I clamp my mouth shut to stifle the snort wanting to escape.“Little” green space.Please.I wonder if last night hadn’t happened if I’d ever have seen this magnificent place.Then I remember Zach contacted me.
“You called me last night.Why?”
“Nan wanted to invite you to lunch.You made quite the impression on many of the board members, including those on her foundation board.She wanted to talk some more about that.”
A warm breeze blows my hair around and he tucks a stray strand behind my ear.His long fingers skate along my hairline down to my neck.His lingering touch causes my breath to hitch and I almost lose focus on our conversation.
“She did mention all that the other night.I’d like to see her again.When?”
“Today, if you’re available.She said you mentioned weekends wereeasier for you.But I’ll tell her to find another time.”He runs his hand down his face and I wonder if all of this—last night and having me in his home—is too much of an inconvenience.
“No, don’t cancel.I’d like to go.”
He needs his space and while I won’t say it out loud, I could use the distraction of spending time with Nan.
“I’ll have to get my clothes at some point today and get settled into my parents’ place.And I’ll have to make arrangements for everything else.”
”I’ll take care of it.”
“Zach.”I tear my gaze from the horizon.“I appreciate all you’re doing but I can take care of it.We have a deal and you’ve fulfilled your part.You don’t have to keep doing things for me.I promise, I’ll keep my end of the deal, and let me start by having lunch with your grandmother.”
His steely blue eyes study me while his thumb trails along his bottom lip.It’s an innocuous gesture that grants me all kinds of crazy and unexpected feels.My body heats, stomach flutters, and knees weaken.
“Is that why you think I’m doing this?Because of the deal?”
I realize my error but I’m too late.The look on his face conveys just how displeased he is with my assumption.“Yes.Maybe?”
I’m beginning to think our deal—once agreed upon—was then shoved into unspoken territory and somehow I was supposed to know this, and stupidly I’ve wandered past the boundaries I wasn’t even aware existed.
“You’re wrong.My end of the deal, whether finished or not, has nothing to do with you staying here, getting your clothes, or anything else that I choose to do for you.”
“Okay.”Unable to hold his intense stare, I glance over the verdant treetops to the bridge with the cars whipping across the ravine.
“I realize we barely know each other.”He steps into my line of sight and I’m forced to look at him or not, and that would be deliberately rude.“I like you and consider you a friend.”
“Okay.We’re friends.”He relaxes a little at my agreement.
His features soften and shoulders drop, and I can’t say I’m against the notion of being his friend.I could do worse than Zachary Rothwell for a friend.
“Go to lunch with Nan and let me handle things.”
I nod, at a loss for words.
His kindness offsets the events of last night as a warmth moves through me.With a couple hours to spare before lunch, he retreats to his office, a spacious, window-walled room overlooking the same view as the terrace, and I call my mom and then Drew.
By the time they are both assured I’m fine and neither should come home, I’m drained and ready for a change of scenery.Lunch with Nan Rothwell is just what I need to take my mind off things.
14
Paige
“Paige, darling, how are you?”Nan rises from the table to greet me, taking my hand in hers.“When Zachary told me what happened last night—even though all is well and good—I was worried sick for you.”
The restaurant is one I’ve only ever read about but never had the money or the inclination to eat at.
