“Pardon?”
“Zachary came to me and told me he wanted to marry you and asked for my ring.He didn’t have to sell me on the idea, but he did anyway.”
Even as my heart does a strange flutter at this news, I can’t help but thinkof course he went to Nan first.She holds the purse strings to his trust.He’s a strategist and it’s a well-planned move.What better way for her to believe it’s love and give him his trust fund than to ask for her permission?
“So?”Stiffening, I try to casually walk into the living room, hoping I’m hiding my discomfort.
“So, I thought you might like to know.”She sits on the couch and I take the seat across from her as she studies me.
“This changes nothing.I can’t trust him.I knew nothing about his past with Reagan.He lied to me.”A sharp twinge in my chest causes me to pause.Yeah, I lied, too.Isn’t that what we do?Lie to each other?
“Really?”Nan arches a brow, pushing to the edge of her seat.“Don’t let Reagan Hussey bother you.She’s had her eyes on the prize since she was barely a teenager.And the prize isn’t my grandson.It’s the Rothwell name.”
While Nan’s comments about Reagan are like Zach’s, I’m not sure it changes anything.Closing my eyes, I push on, changing the subject.
“Thank you for bringing Ms.Conetta here.She’s so smart and it was lovely of her to meet with me and share her ideas.Her vision for Project Miranda is amazing and I can see great things for the foundation, but I can’t be a part of it.We need the Hussey money and if Reagan goes through with it, we’ll be scrambling to find the millions elsewhere.”
I don’t bother to add that I’m also done with anything to do with Zachary Rothwell.
“Oh, and you bowing out is purely altruistic and your decision has nothing to do with Zachary?”Her tone is haughty and even slightly ticked with what I’m sure she thinks is my childish behavior.“And what about the role I offered you?Let me guess, you don’t want that, either.And what about me?You think so little of me that you want to be done with me, too?”
“No.Never.”I sit up and swing my legs over the side.“It isn’t about Zach.It’s about what’s best for the foundation.”
“Nonsense.You are best for the foundation.I may be a sentimental old woman, but I didn’t ask you to run the gala and offer you the leading role at the foundation because I like you.I did it because you are exactly what I’ve been looking for.Your enthusiasm is contagious, your ideas fresh and inspiring, and I want that legacy for my family name.”
A knot gathers in my throat as she showers me with undeserved compliments.If she only knew.
“As for Zachary.You belong together.It’s as plain as the nose on my face.”She stands with her hands on her hips.“You’re going to get ready for this evening and after the success of Nuit Étoilée, you’ll report to the foundation in your capacity as Director of Strategy and Development.I won’t take no for an answer.”She doesn’t even give me a chance to respond and leaves.
The condo is like a revolving door.After Nan, I have another visitor.Donovan.He leans against the doorjamb of the condo because I refuse to let him in and smiles at me condescendingly.
“I figured you’d need a date for tonight.”
Why does this man seem to forget he’s married?I’ve yet to meet his wife and his wandering eye doesn’t appear to be a secret, yet no one acts like it’s a big deal or absolutely disgusting.
“And where did you get that idea?”
His laugh is arrogant, and he quirks a brow.“Oh, Paige, don’t underestimate me.I heard all about yesterday’s excitement.You cost the Rothwell Foundation some serious bank.”
How the hell does he know about Reagan and yesterday?His father, Cormac, wasn’t there and I can’t believe his father would have told him a thing anyway.Maybe Reagan, although I wasn’t aware they were close.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”I feign indifference, regretting the choice when his eyes darken with patronizing glee.
“Reagan pulled all of the funding and she’s backed out of tonight.”
I fail at hiding my shock and my insides curdle like souring milk.What on earth is Nan thinking to let Reagan do that?I didn’t want them to have to choose and would have willingly walked away.
“But never you mind, Donovan is here to save the day.”He inches closer without me realizing until it’s too late.
He twists a finger around a stray lock that’s escaped my messy bun.Winding my hair tighter around his digit, he steps into my space and his cloying cologne causes me to gag.I really don’t like this guy.
“Back off,” I snap, pulling my hair from his grasp.
His chuckle is wicked, and he grins.“You don’t even want to hear my proposition?I thought you’d be more than willing since that’s your thing.Spread your legs for a rich man.”
“Fuck you.”I slap him across the face.
Despite being able to stop me, he watches my hand connect with his jaw, without even so much as a flinch.My stomach twists at the fiery excitement I see in his eyes.
