The majority are now in agreement and Nan steps in, taking votes on the parking lot as the setting for the benefit.My attention is stuck on Zach and Reagan.
His expression is grim as she shakes her head from side to side to whatever he has just said.Then she walks away from him, from the rest of us, toward a black sedan idling at the curb.He watches her get in and drive away with his back to us, to me.I vaguely hear Nan’s triumphant voice declaring unanimous consent—well, except for Reagan—on the venue.
I should be happy and filled with overwhelming relief—one major hurdle overcome—but I can’t shake the feeling Reagan isn’t done.And more importantly, her discontent isn’t about the foundation or gala, but because of Zach.
Pippa stares at me, her blue eyes huge, and she’s speechless.I’ve just told her everything.She knows about the deal with Zach and that everything is fake.The lies were eating at me, especially telling them to my family and best friend.It’s one thing to let Zach’s associates and colleagues think we’re an item, but it’s entirely different to let those nearest and dearest to me think I’ve found the man of my dreams.
And even if that’s true, we aren’t real.
I let out a shaky breath and stare at my phone, my best friend looking back at me.“Say something.Please.”
“You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”Pippa says matter-of-factly.
“Yeah.”I blink back the burning tears, eager to fall.“And that’s why it needs to end fast.I’m starting to believe him, everything he says and does.”
“But, wait.”She shuts the door to her office.“Maybe it is real?From everything you’ve told me, he sounds like the real deal.”
God, I want what she says to be true and she’s only repeating what I’ve been asking myself for weeks.“It feels real.Realer than anything I’ve ever had.”
“Then talk to him.”
“I have and he just says to enjoy it.I don’t know what it means.”I walk with my phone from the bathroom where I dressed for bed onto the terrace.I am tired but also wired and needed to talk to Pippa.
Zach will be home any minute now and I’m hoping, being out on the balcony, I’ll be able to finish my chat with Pippa before he finds me.He had an event this evening and he wanted me there, but with the gala only a week away, I couldn’t spare the time.My night was spent on the phone, finalizing every little detail with the various vendors.
“Maybe you need to tell him how you feel.”She’s trying to be encouraging but only adding to my turmoil.
“And say what, I’m falling in love with you and I hope this is real and you feel the same?”
“It’s a start.At least this way, you’d know where you stand.”
My hands run through my unruly hair and I shake my head.I’m too tired to think clearly, let alone absorb any of her advice.
“I wish you’d told me sooner.Here I was thinking this was your happily ever after…” She trails off until our gazes collide.“And it still could be.Listen, you should get some sleep.We can talk tomorrow.”
“Yeah.”I nod, glancing back into the bedroom at the sign of movement.“Before you go, you said you had news for me?”
“Oh, yes.I almost forgot.Drew wanted you to know that his condo is available.His tenant found another place sooner than he thought.You can move in anytime.”She pauses, studying me.“That is, if you still want to.”
Weeks ago, I wouldn’t have thought twice.My bags would be packed, and I’d be out the door, thanking Zach for letting me stay.And now?I don’t know which way is up.The thought of leaving, not seeing him every day, scares me and leaves me feeling hollow.
Empty.
“Paige?”Zach steps into the moonlight, his dress shirt unbuttoned, revealing his smooth, defined chest.
“Hey,” I’m quick to say, turning to face him.“I’m just saying goodbye to Pip.”
I flip the phone for him to see my bubbly, blonde friend sitting in her home in New York City and the two of them do their hellos and how are yous.Pippa even goes so far as to make a comment about his state of undress.That woman.
Zach laughs, winking into the phone.“This is how Paige likes me, undressed.”
They laugh, I smile, shaking my head even though it’s true, and he captures me in his arms, his lips pressing lightly to my forehead.“I’m going to shower.”
“Okay.”My hand glides along his jaw, the rough stubble of his day-old growth sending tingles down my spine.I watch him leave before dipping my gaze to Pippa.“Thanks for listening.I’ll let you know about the condo.Right now,” I whisper as I look up to where Zach was just standing and my stomach knots, “I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
“Okay, babe.Take all the time you need and call me whenever.I’m here for you.”
“Thanks.”
