“I’m fine, thank you.”The waiter pulls out my chair.“This place is lovely and I’m so glad you invited me.”
“Me, too, and I’m happy to hear you’re living with Zachary.”She signals the waiter and he fills our glasses with a pretty pink drink garnished with pineapple.The table is covered with an assortment of dishes.
“It’s only temporary.”Fake relationship or not, living together is a big deal.I don’t want her to get the wrong impression.
“Don’t be silly.My grandson wants you there.”Staring, she must see my skepticism.“He told me so himself.”
“I’m sure he did.”I fail at hiding my sarcasm—living together is a great way to fast-track our façade.Nan’s sing-song voice breezes through my mind with what she might say to friends and colleagues:“They’re so in love that they’re already living together.”
Lunch is decadent in both the food and conversation.Nan is one smart and fascinating woman, and I’m not the only one who thinks so.During our meal, people drop by our table to chat with the matriarch of the Rothwell empire.And without exception, she introduces me to everyone like a daughter, as if dating Zach makes me part of the family.It’s both endearing and sickening.
I really do like her and believe the feeling is mutual, and it makes me nauseous to think I’m lying to her and so is Zach.He has such a wonderful relationship with his grandmother that it’s hard to understand why he’d want to be underhanded.
“Mrs.Rothwell,” says a familiar voice from behind me.At the same time, a hand rests on the top of my chair, fingers grazing my shoulder.
“Donovan, how are you?”She smiles and he leans across the table to kiss her cheek.“And how is Cecilia?”
“I’m great and so is she.It’s nice to see you.”His sharp, gray eyes latch onto me like a knife scoring its mark.
To think we almost dated.Now all I can see is a slippery snake.But I have to hand it to him, he puts on a good show, polished and polite, taking my hand in his.
“This is Paige—” Nan says and is interrupted by him.
“We’ve already met.”His gaze is calculating.“Paige, good to see you.”
“Donovan.”
“Oh, yes, you would have met at the dinner.So, Paige, you know this is Cormac’s youngest son?”Nan asks and this news surprises me.
I met Cormac at the board dinner and he was a pure gentleman.And while I can see a vague resemblance in their light eyes and dirty-blond hair, there’s no further comparison now that I’m learning more and more about his son.
“Your father is a wonderful person.”
“Yes, he is.”He flashes an inscrutable smile and I shiver.
“I was just about to tell Paige how Cormac mentioned her idea to expand our giving campaign.And?—”
“And he loves it,” he cuts her off, gaze still burning into me.“You made quite an impression on my father at the dinner the other night.So much so, I wish you’d shared your thoughts with me.”
Nan laughs, and I shudder to think she’s buying his bogus charm.“Your idea is brilliant.”
“It was just a suggestion.”I shrug, finally forcing myself to look at her across the table.
The praise and attention are unwanted and unnerving.My idea to choose a focus for their foundation rather than many donations to many charities was a no-brainer.I’m surprised no one else has suggested it.
“And you knocked the socks off his other sons, too,” she says proudly.
“She certainly did.I don’t know what you said to my brothers, but both Clive and Douglas were tripping over themselves to throw money at the foundation.”His delivery implies something crude between his siblings and me instead of the altruistic act.
Nan clucks, lightly tapping at his arm.“They were both very generous and their contributions will do a lot of good.”
“I’m sure they will, but I wonder if their charity was sparked by something orsomeone.”
“Well, Donovan, it was nice to see you and please do give my love to your wife.”Nan isn’t impressed with his innuendo and I’m glad she’s curt with her dismissal.
“Very well.”He smirks at me, winking.“I’m sure we’ll see each other again, Ms.Hayes.And Mrs.Rothwell.”
She waits until he’s out of earshot to lean into the table, grabbing my attention.“Pay him no mind.That boy has no decorum.”Lips twisting and nose crinkling, she shakes her head.“You really did a lot of good at the dinner.We’ve been trying to get Clive and Douglas to support the foundation for a while now, and not even their father could persuade them.They are philanthropic, but both claimed their interests were elsewhere.”
