For Nick (24 page)

Zach was a man of his word when it came to business. Apparently, it was only in matters of the heart that he lacked conviction.

He didn’t offer her a new credit card, she noticed. She never used it anyway. But it’d been nice to know it was there if she needed it. Maybe he was scared she’d take him for every penny he owned. After all, that’s what Robert thought of her. And she had married him for money in the beginning. It was a logical conclusion. And she had no one to blame but herself for that assumption.

“Are you staying in for the day?”

“No, I have to go out.”

“I think you should take it easy for a day or two.” His jaw clenched tightly.

Andie didn’t respond. He meant well, but he didn’t know what she was dealing with.

“Will you?” he persisted.

“Will I what?”

“Stay in for a few days. Take a rest.”

“No, I must go today.”

“I see. Is it really that vital to you, Andie?”

“Yes, it is. The most important thing in my life.”

A mask fell over his features and he looked angry. She didn’t understand his anger. Not at all.

They studied each other for several moments. Subtly, his expression changed. Zach reached out and touched her cheek lightly, letting his fingers graze her skin. It seemed the perfect moment to tell him about his child.

“Zach, I have something I need to tell you,” she whispered.

“Don’t say it. I already know.”

“You do? Did you open the present?”

“Wait…what?”

When his cell phone rang, Zach stood abruptly, breaking the contact. “Zachary Drake,” he said tersely. “Yes, all right.” He glanced at his watch. “Yeah, I’ll be there. Give me thirty minutes.” He snapped his phone closed. “I have to go, Andie. I’m needed at the office.” He hesitated for a moment. “I’m sorry I touched you. It won’t happen again.”

With that, he turned and left. Mrs. Barnes entered the room a few minutes later with a lunch tray. With a heavy heart she ate the beautifully prepared lunch, wondering if Zach’s final words were meant for today, or for everything that had transpired between them.

A sobering thought.

-20-

Zach studied Andie through narrowed eyes. He’d asked her to attend a social with him and told her to get a new dress.

She had not complied.

She was wearing the same one as last time. Strange. A chance to buy a fancy dress with his money and she didn’t take it? He couldn’t figure her out. “Are you well?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

She looked pale and gaunt, and the little line between her eyebrows had become a fixed part of her expression. She was as blank as an erased chalkboard, looking upon him with no emotion whatsoever. Evidently her chosen lifestyle was catching up with her. It was over between them, he’d made that clear. But it didn’t stop him from feeling concerned about her.

“I asked you to get a new dress for tonight,” he stated, trying to hide his brewing anger.

“I’m sorry, Zach, I didn’t have time.”

No time for shopping? Yeah, right. “Why don’t you put your hair up? I’ll wait,” he said, trying not to sound as irritated as he felt.

She nodded vacantly and he watched her ascend the stairs slowly, as if it took strength she didn’t have. He couldn’t bear to attend the social with her luxurious hair hanging down about her shoulders. In spite of everything, he still found her stunning.

He’d hardly seen her over the past couple of weeks. That she’d given up on him was apparent. An attempt to visit him at lunch had not been repeated. It was obvious she assumed he’d left her in jail overnight on purpose, regardless of his attempts at apologies. Lately, she left early in the morning and returned late at night, hardly spending any time at home. However, she didn’t attempt to break their contract. She was still holding up her part of the bargain, even though there was nothing in it for her any longer. It was baffling. He thought for sure he’d wake up one morning to find she’d left him high and dry. He’d probably find out her name wasn’t really Andrea Parker and she’d be long gone, on her way to Mexico to live with her lover, hiding out for the rest of her pathetic life.

And she would need to hide out. He was fully prepared to prosecute her the minute it happened. But it never did.

He cursed himself for his lack of precautions when choosing a wife. He put more effort into choosing a secretary for heaven’s sake. He’d never even performed a background check on Andie. He’d succumbed to her charms much too quickly. The only thing that mattered now was that they stay married for the year. If he could make it through to the end with as little contact as possible, he’d be able to cope.

Still, he was haunted by the memories of the good times he and Andie had shared. For the first time in a very long time, he’d been willing to give his heart to someone. Unfortunately, he’d chosen badly.

After several minutes passed and there was no sign of her, he ran up the stairs, taking them two at a time. Her back was to him and she was on the phone.

“Okay, I love you too, Nick…I love you so much. I know, I miss you too. Don’t worry. I’ll see you tomorrow, sweetheart…”

Zach ducked into his room, not wanting her to know that he’d overheard her talking to her lover.

Andie had never said she loved him. Not once. Feeling beyond angry, he made his way to the car to wait for her.

Zach’s tires squealed in rebellion to the sharp way in which he took the corner. Andie held onto the door, closed her eyes, and held her breath. Zach was driving like a maniac.

That he was mad was obvious. Actually, mad wasn’t the correct word, try fuming, livid, or perhaps, irate. She’d never seen him like this and he was scaring her.

When they parked, he got out of the car, slammed the car door, and walked into the building ahead of her. He didn’t bother opening her door or waiting for her and she seriously considered staying in the car and taking a nap. She was utterly exhausted. However, that would only make him angrier. She made her way into the building and found Zach talking with a group of men. She stood at his side, hooking her arm through his. He accepted her touch, keeping up ‘appearances,’ but didn’t acknowledge her.

Since the only reason she was attending this social with him was so he could show the world—or maybe just a certain woman—that he was a happily married man, she wasn’t really sure why he wanted her here; especially since he didn’t seem interested in sharing one single word with her. Zach barely ever spoke to her anymore. They’d become two strangers living in the same house.

“Would you mind if I sit down? I’m a little tired tonight,” she asked quietly.

“Of course, sweetheart,” he answered, his voice tender and his eyes hard. His cold gaze sent a shiver down her spine.

She found a table and sat down, relieved to be off her aching feet. Luckily, the tablecloth hid her legs, so she slipped out of her heels.

What now? Zach wanted her here, but he didn’t want to associate with her. Okay. Whatever.
I don’t think the man knows what he wants.

It didn’t stop her from watching him as he went from group to group smiling amicably, laughing, and visiting—the Zach she used to know. Evidently, she was the only irritant in his life—a piece of grit in his eye, a sliver imbedded in his skin—annoying and painful. Andie felt the prick of tears. It was too much. She wasn’t sure how much more of this she could handle. She was in love with a man who wanted nothing to do with her. And she was carrying his child.

Pull yourself together Andie. This is not the place to break down
.

Camille arrived and joined Zach. He welcomed her at his side with a warm smile and a pleasant exchange of conversation. He may as well have taken a sword and thrust it into Andie’s side, piercing her flesh, and ending her life.

Keep it together, Andie.

Zach and Camille sat at Andie’s table; he even sat at her side, but Zach never once glanced at her. It was as if she didn’t exist. She’d had a taste of joy with Zach, a taste of what it would be like to mean everything to him. It had been some of the happiest days of her life. She wanted him back. She wanted to tell him of their child and tell him she loved him. His response always held her back. That she would be met with rejection was readily evident. As long as he was blissfully unaware of the pregnancy, she could hope for and imagine a happy outcome.

She was living in a dream world.

She poked at dinner, her appetite gone. Her week with Nick had been draining and downright demanding at times. Fulfilling her agreement with Zach was quickly becoming one of the hardest things she’d ever done. She didn’t have it in her to fight for him anymore. Even a million dollars wasn’t worth this heartache. Her life was no walk in the park as it was. She didn’t need more anguish.

It’s too much.

She took a deep breath, willing herself to calm down. It was going to be a long night. And the urge to cry was getting stronger.
What am I thinking? I never cry and I’m not going to cry now.

“Take me out onto the dance floor, Zach,” Cami pleaded.

Politely, Zach escorted Camille to the center of the room. It was a slow song and Andie felt a pang of jealousy as he took her in his arms. Feeling more alone than she’d ever felt in her entire life, Andie escaped by finding herself a chair on the sidelines to hide in, knowing she was settling in for the duration of the evening. She knew Prince Charming would not be coming her way tonight. Now she had a firsthand view of Zach and Camille dancing closely.

Fantastic.

I’m not going to cry, I’m not
…
I won’t. But please let this night end
…
please. I can’t take this any longer.

Cami whispered in Zach’s ear, “Remind me not to get on your bad side.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I wouldn’t want to be in Andie’s shoes tonight.”

“Why not?”

“Are you kidding? To repeat an old adage, if looks could kill, she’d be dead. What’d she do to you anyway? I’ve never seen you act like this. It’s not like you, Zach.”

“She’s not what she seems, trust me. I don’t want to talk about it.”

But Cami did.

“Is this why you’ve been spending so much time with me lately? To get back at her?”

“That wasn’t my intention, no.” Zach didn’t want to remind her that she was the one who’d sought him out. But she was right about one thing— he’d gone along with it. And he knew it bothered Andie. Maybe it was in the back of his mind after all. Not exactly his style.

“I mean, I’m glad you want to be with me. Married or not, I’ll take what I can get.”

Cami smiled seductively at him and he felt nothing. Absolutely nothing. Andie had ruined him for life.

“I think you might just make her cry,” Cami stated flatly. “As a matter of fact, she looks like she’s about to burst into tears at any moment.”

“Nah, Andie never cries,” Zach scoffed. “She doesn’t have it in her.”

Cami came to a standstill, her eyes on fire. “Zachary Drake, you are in love with her and it’s clear that she loves you too.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I do. One glimpse at the way you look at her and I know. The feeling is clearly mutual. That girl adores you right back. Can’t you see that? Go to her, work it out, before it’s too late. I don’t know what happened between you two, but it’s time for you to talk it out. Em would’ve wanted you to be happy,” she declared. “I want you to be happy too,” she whispered.

Zach looked Cami directly in the eyes, finally noticing the unconcealed pain reflected there. Andie was right. Cami did have feelings for him. “I’ve been blind, haven’t I? I’m sorry, Cami. I really am.”

“I know you are, Zach. Go. I’ll be fine.”

Zach kissed her lightly on the forehead. He turned to glance at Andie, knowing it was time to confront her, tell her that he knew about her lover. It was time to end this hot mess they’d made of their lives. They couldn’t live interminably in this tense silence.

As his eyes scanned the dance floor, he found that she was no longer sitting in the corner; she now stood on the outskirts of the dance floor, watching him with intense eyes. He met her gaze and was surprised at the raw anguish on her face. Abruptly, she turned and made her way towards the door. She didn’t exactly run, but she didn’t walk either. It took him a minute to realize that she was leaving. Perhaps she’d interpreted the chaste kiss on Cami’s forehead for more than it was. Thank goodness Chambers wasn’t at this particular social spying on him. Otherwise he’d have some serious explaining to do.