I was the only agenda item tonight and I took the board through the budget for the gala as well as presented my proposal for a new charity.A cause that, while worthy and fitting, would be a departure from the foundation’s past.And now, with the anxiety-riddled evening behind me, Nan wants to drill me further about Zach and our fraudulent relationship.
“Paige, did you hear me?”
“Yes, sorry.”I shake my head, fidgeting on the leather.“Yes, it’s temporary.”
Grabbing hold of my hand, she smiles.It isn’t one of happiness but more like a schoolteacher about to impart words of wisdom.“Don’t be silly.Stay.He wants you with him.”
It’s been nearly three weeks since Montreal and things have been good between us.Really good.But I’m worried about how real things feel.
“We’re dating but notliving togetherserious.”I falter at the end because according to the world, we’ve officially slipped into coupledom.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve attended business and social events together, including visiting with my mom and Sam in between their many adventures and even a trip to New York City where we had drinks with Drew and Pippa.And in most cases, photographers furiously snapped pictures of us.Zach is a celebrity of sorts and I had no clue the media, or the public for that matter, cared so much about whom a billionaire was dating or shacking up with.
And while I’d like to say we’re doing an outstanding job of fooling everyone—social media, newspapers, and the gossip rags have us together as a happy couple—it’s more than that.
We are together.
Together in every way.
And I mean inevery way.
Sex in Montreal wasn’t a one-off thing.As much as I’m trying desperately not to take us too seriously, trying not to believe our own hype, it’s hard.
We’re good together.
He’s good to me.
“My dear child, you’re delusional if you think you aren’t serious.I may have been away for a while, but I’ve seen the pictures of you two.And I watched my grandson at the board dinner when I first met you.He was beyond distracted.”She leans in closer, eyes boring into me.
“And Zachary isn’t easily distracted.Work has been at the center of his life for as long as I can remember.”She points her finger at me with a sly smirk.“You’re changing that and him.At the board dinner, he watched your every move.”
My heart does a strange pitter-patter as I think back to that night not too long ago.At the time, I barely knew him and now it feels like a lifetime ago.We’re in a completely different place, we’re much closer, and I never imagined it to be this way.
“And when we talk, he always mentions you without me ever having to ask.”She winks and for a split second I see her grandson.That familiar gesture causes a ripple to run through me and now, I’m seeing things in a different light.I wonder how much of what she’s saying has been planted by Zach.Is this his doing?
I’m no fool.
In very little time, he’s done a good job at getting his grandmother to believe we could be something.I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s made it a point of talking about me each and every time he’s spoken with her.What better way to make her think he’s head over heels in love with me?He wants her to think he’s lovestruck.
“That doesn’t mean anything.”I try to brush it off despite everything coming out of my mouth being contrary to Zach’s wishes and our deal.
Or to what I might want to be true.
Yet even to my own ears, I’m hard to believe and Nan isn’t buying it either.Her gaze drowns in skepticism.“Oh, I beg to differ.It means a hell of a lot.Zachary isn’t one to readily settle down and I worry that he never will.”She pauses, glancing out the darkly tinted car window.
“Rightly or wrongly, I’ve even tried to motivate him into thinking about or wanting to have a family of his own.”She turns to look at me.“Because one day, things will change—I won’t be here, and he’ll have no one.And I don’t want that for him.If I can stop that from happening in any way, shape, or form, I will.”
Uncomfortable doesn’t begin to describe how I feel.Did she stall his trust fund all these years because of her fear of him winding up alone?
“I don’t know what to say.”I won’t lie to her any more than I already have.“I like Zach.A lot.But we’re not at a stage where we should be living together permanently.I’m here for now but what the future holds is another thing altogether.”
If Zach were here, he’d be upset with my candid comment and try to refute my words, but I hate lying.I can’t lie to her or myself.
“I understand your relationship is still new, and all I ask is for you to give it a chance.With a woman like you at his side, Zachary is capable of anything.You’ll keep him grounded while encouraging him to soar.”
Out of nowhere, tears prick at the corners of my eyes and I blink back the unwanted emotion.The idea of a man being better or stronger with me—that my love and support could make such a difference—isn’t something I’ve ever thought about or even wanted until this sweet woman planted the idea in my mind.And worse yet, or maybe better, I could want that with Zach.I could want that for him.
“That’s kind of you to say.”I squeeze her hand.“Thank you for your support this evening.Having you there meant a lot.”
