I’m not sure how or when Zach got the money.He doesn’t have that kind of money.If he did, he wouldn’t need his trust fund for his hotel.Is this another lie he’s cooked up to satisfy the crowd—have the evening end on a high note?
“Project Miranda is near and dear to my heart for several reasons.Of course, this work will be done in my mother’s name and I can’t think of a better project than one where we’re helping to provide fresh water to communities that don’t have a viable drinking water source.If my mother were here today, she’d be thrilled with this project and our ambition.”
He walks to one end of the stage, closer to me, his gaze still coming to me every so often.“I also backed this project because the entire concept is near and dear to the love of my life, Paige Hayes.”He extends one hand in my direction.
I gasp and my heart spasms as heads turn to look at me.My cheeks redden and I smile and wave as those I know offer words about how adorable Zach is and what a wonderful cause I selected.
“And Paige is now the Director of Strategy and Development for the Rothwell Foundation.She’s got grand plans for our foundation and I can tell you right now, look out for next year’s invitation to Nuit Étoilée.If you think this year is amazing, she’s going to knock your socks off next year!”
I can’t believe he just said that.Why is he announcing a role I have no intention of taking?And he said I’m the love of his life?My stomach twists and flutters while I contemplate grabbing the microphone and getting him off the stage.Who knows what else he has planned?
But another part of me is overwhelmed by his generosity.He is a smart businessman and wouldn’t be stupid enough to lie about backing the project.At least, I don’t think so.None of this makes any sense.
31
Zach
“Let me see your phone.”I stretch out my palm, open and flat.
I gave Paige a day to lick her wounds and recover from the wildly successful gala, but I’m done waiting.She slipped out while I was swarmed by excited donors as I tried to leave the stage.I called all day yesterday and she never responded to any of my attempts.
Today, I deliberately banged on her door at eight this morning, wanting to catch her asleep, and possibly in a more open-minded state.Or at the very least, groggy.
“What?”Paige runs her fingers through her unruly hair and scrunches her nose.
“Your phone.”
“It’s in the bedroom.”She’s confused but doesn’t stop me from marching into the condo.
I don’t know where the bedroom is, but the place isn’t too big and I find it quickly.She follows, calling my name and asking me what I’m doing.Her phone rests on the bedside table and I hand it to her.
“Could you please enter your password.”
“What are you doing?”She’s more awake now.
“Password, please.”I raise an eyebrow and she does as I ask, handing it back to me, and I have to bite back my smile.We’re going to be okay.
“Well, your phone works,” I say, after checking her phone and texts.
“What?Of course it works.”
“Well, since I never got so much as a one-word reply to all my texts and phone calls yesterday, I’d hoped your phone was broken.”
She releases asheeshand rolls her eyes.“I didn’t have a reply for you.I’m not upset with you, Zach.I’m ticked off at myself.I let our agreement get away from me, and I forgot that this,” she motions between us, “was make-believe.When Reagan made that scene and then you confirmed that you’d also made a similar deal with another woman…” She stops, swallowing back her tears.“Argh,” she grumbles, slumping onto the bed and dropping her head in her hands.“I don’t want to be upset about this.I should have known better.”
“What do you mean?”I sit on the bed beside her, deliberately close so our thighs touch.
“We had a fake relationship and then you proposed.I wanted it even knowing you could break my heart.I wanted you and I wanted to believe we were real.”
“We are real.”My throat suddenly constricts, not because I’m unsure or afraid of admitting my feelings, but because I can’t lose her.“You’re the realest thing in my life and I think we were meant to find each other this way.”
She snorts, looking at me.“What, lying to each other and everyone else?”I nod and suck in my bottom lip.Her eyes fix on my mouth and her gaze liquefies.
“If it had been any other way, one or both of us might have easily dismissed any chance at a relationship.”I bury my hands in her hair and bend to catch her mouth in a kiss.I need to taste her, feel her.
“Wait, stop.”Eyes shining, she slowly pulls away.“How do I know this is real?We had a business arrangement so you could get your trust fund.”
“That went away a while ago.”
