The Last Man on Earth (22 page)

He imagined Madelyn white haired and frail, old, and knew he wouldn’t mind.

“Zack? I’d like you to meet Harold.” His mother walked forward with her new husband. “Darling, this is my son, Zack Douglas.”

Manners kicking in, Zack stood, towering over the shorter, older man. He held out his hand. “Pleased to meet you.”

“Same here,” Harold declared, taking his hand in a firm, exuberant shake. “When Georgie told me her boy’d shown up, I didn’t expect a full-grown man like you. Of course, I should have, if I’d done the math. Then again, she looks so young I never imagined.” He beamed fondly over at her. “You must have been a baby yourself when you had him.”

“Very nearly,” she murmured, lips curving.

Harold angled his chin toward Zack. “You’ve got the look of her, though, no doubt. Especially around the eyes.”

What else did he have of her? Zack thought sourly. Is that why he’d come here? To prove to himself that he and his mother were nothing alike? Or to prove that they were?

“So what business are you in?” Harold inquired.

“Advertising. I’m an art director with Fielding and Simmons.”

“Oh, sounds impressive. Big firm?”

“Big enough.”

“Here in Florida?”

“No, New York. I came south to enjoy a warm holiday . . . and for the wedding,” he added, oddly reluctant to appear rude in front of the other man. “What about you, sir? What keeps you occupied?”

“No ‘sirs’ here; that’s a name for old stiffs and generals. Call me Harold.”

“All right, Harold.”

“Well, happens I’m in dry cleaning. Surprised your mom didn’t mention it to you. I’ve managed to build up quite a respectable little line of stores over the years. Yes, indeed, a very respectable line of stores. Fifteen of them now, scattered here and there around these parts. If you’ve got any laundry stacked up that needs doing, you swing by one of my shops, and we’ll take care of you fast and on the house.”

“That’s very generous, and I’d be pleased to accept if I wasn’t headed home tomorrow.” Actually he’d been planning to stay another three days. When had he suddenly changed his mind?

“Oh well, next trip, then. You come down and stay with us. Georgie and I, we’ll show you the sights, won’t we, Georgie?” Harold tossed an arm around her shoulders and gave a jovial squeeze.

“Of course,” she replied smoothly, “that would be lovely.”

For a moment, Zack met her eyes, recognizing the same translucent green that stared back at him every time he looked in a mirror. Was it wistful resignation he read in hers now? He couldn’t be sure.

Georgia broke eye contact, then turned to straighten her husband’s tie, giving his chest a gentle pat. “I’m just going to visit with Zack another minute or two; then I think we need to start saying our good-byes. Otherwise, we’ll miss our plane.”

Harold glanced at the gold Rolex on his wrist. “Oh, you’re right, and planes don’t wait. Honeymoon in Aspen,” he volunteered. “This one wants snow for Christmas. Great to meet you, Zack.”

“Great to meet you, Harold,” he said, surprised to actually mean it. They exchanged one more handshake; then the groom strolled away.

“Thank you,” she murmured.

He lifted a single dark brow. “For what?”

“For Harold. For being so decent to him. It was kind.”

“It wasn’t meant to be kind. I simply had no reason not to be decent . . . to Harold.”

“Touché.” She sighed. “Well, I hope you got what you came for today. And I hope things work out between you and whoever this woman is who’s set you to brooding.”

“What makes you say I’m brooding? I don’t recall mentioning any woman,” he said, brows locking in a fearsome scowl.

“You didn’t have to mention her.” Her smile held a wisdom ages old. “I may not have been much of a mother, I admit, but I am one hell of a woman, a woman who knows men. And you, my dear son, are a man with woman trouble written all over him.”

“Now I suppose I’m expected to confide in you? Ask for your precious hallowed motherly advice?” he said sarcastically.

“No, and even if you did, I wouldn’t give you any. I’ve made too many mistakes in my life to hand out advice. Some of those mistakes I regret, a few deeply and for the rest of my life. Others I’ve come to accept as lessons well learned. I have only one comment, one question. If you let this woman go, this one you obviously love, will you look back and see her loss as a lesson learned or as a lifetime regret?”

For a moment he couldn’t speak, aware of the funny little pain that pinged inside his chest whenever he thought of Madelyn.

Impatient, Georgia twitched her fingers as if longing for a cigarette. “It’s been interesting to see you, Zack, and I’m truly glad you came to my wedding. Of course, I know you won’t, but give your sister my love. And take care of yourself. I’ll drop you a postcard sometime.”

“I
just heard, and you don’t have to say a word.” Peg stalked into Madelyn’s office, as ruffled as a mother hen whose favorite chick has been slighted by the other barnyard fowl.

“I’m taking you to lunch right now,” she continued. “A long lunch, to revive your spirits. I already called the girls and they’re going to meet us at the restaurant. And if management doesn’t approve of us taking a few much-needed extra minutes, well, they can stick it up their pipes and smoke it.”

“I believe the phrase is ‘stick it
in
their pipes,’” Madelyn said. “And you know smoking’s against company policy, at least inside the building.”

“How can you joke? You must be furious. Devastated. I know I would be, especially after all the hard work you’ve put in, especially losing out to
him
.”

“It isn’t what you think—”

“Of course it’s what I think. What else could it be? You’re very brave, trying to put such a good face on it, but there’s no disguising the truth. As if it isn’t bad enough their handing the entire Giatta account back to Zack, but then to promote him on top of it. Oh, Madelyn, how dreadful for you. I’m really sorry. You deserve better.” She tapped a carefully filed, pale pink nail against the leg of her slim black pantsuit. “And to think I invited him to my wedding. Makes me feel like a traitor.”

“Thanks for the support, but it isn’t necessary, really. You shouldn’t blame Zack. The decision wasn’t up to him.”

“I suppose not, but—”

“Giatta was returned to him, but they offered the promotion to me. I declined it.”

“You
what
?” Peg squeaked, loudly enough to turn the heads of two suits from accounting who were passing in the hall. She waited until they walked on. “I couldn’t have heard you right. Repeat that, please.”

“They offered me the promotion—senior art director—but I turned it down.”

Peg’s mouth dropped open. “Why? It’s everything you’ve dreamed of for the past five years. Everything you’ve worked for, and now you’re passing on it? I don’t understand.”

“I haven’t wanted to tell you. I know you’ll be sad, maybe even angry, and it’s been a difficult decision to make, but, well, I’ve . . . I’ve decided to leave the company. I’m quitting. It’s the right thing to do. I resigned this morning.”

“Now I need to sit down.” Peg sat, hard.

Madelyn looked away and gazed out the window as she searched for a way to explain, one that wouldn’t sound like a complete lie, even if it was.

She sighed and turned back. “It’s time for me to move on, try new opportunities, test my options. I’m getting married in a few days. This seems like a good time to make a new start.”

“But why would you want to jump ship? Especially now. Is it James? Is he making you quit?”

“No, of course he isn’t making me quit. He wants me to do whatever makes me happy. But I have to admit, he’s offered to back me financially, to help me start my own firm. It’s a great opportunity, one I think I’ll be damned good at. Give me a few months and I’ll be calling you with an offer to defect and come work for me.”

“If you do, I’ll be there in a heartbeat—you know that. I could probably talk Todd into coming on board too.” Sober faced, Peg studied her, a frown lining the smooth skin of her forehead. “And there’s nothing else?”

“No, of course not.” Peg’s concern and doubt shone in her eyes, as transparent as glass.

Madelyn knew she needed to convince her friend that she was happy about her decision. Otherwise the prying might begin.

She planted a big, exuberant smile on her face. “I’m really excited. Starting my own firm is going to be the best move I’ve ever made. And when the time comes and I decide to get pregnant, I won’t have to worry about putting someone like Larry into cardiac arrest over my impending maternity leave.”

“You’re right about that,” Peg said with a laugh. “And you don’t mind? About Zack getting your promotion?”

“A little, but they offered the job to me first, and knowing that is what’s important. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure Mr. Douglas knows he came in second.” She tossed Peg a smug victory wink.

“When are you leaving, then?”

“Steady yourself for another shock. Tomorrow’s my last day. With Christmas and the honeymoon, it seemed best.”

“Lord, Madelyn, when you heap it on, you really heap it on. Well, Suzy and Linda are holding a table for us and we’re late. I guess our commiseration lunch will have to be a going-away party.”

•   •   •

At midmorning on Christmas Eve, Zack walked into the employee lounge on the slim chance he might find a home-baked treat or two that some benevolent soul had brought in to share with the rest of the staff. He’d missed breakfast this morning and hunger was whittling a hole in his belly.

Todd March stood before a long countertop that ran nearly the entire length of the left side of the room, a well-used blue-and-white-striped ceramic mug in hand.

He turned his head toward Zack. “I didn’t expect to see you today. I’d heard you were off enjoying the beaches and the babes down Florida way until after Christmas.”

Todd poured himself a coffee from the pot and added two generous spoonfuls of sugar to cover the bitter twang certain to be there.

“I was, but I had too much work,” Zack told him. “I needed to come back early.”

Zack lifted the lid on a box of leftover doughnuts and studied the remains. One jelly that oozed red like an open wound and half a dried-out chocolate. Not at all what he’d hoped for. Untempted, he let the lid flap shut. If he wanted anything decent, he supposed he’d have to brave the cold and run over to the deli across the street.

“We’re definitely on skeleton staff today,” Todd said. “I wouldn’t be here either if I’d had any vacation time left, but taking a three-week honeymoon kind of tapped me out.”

“How was the honeymoon, by the way?”

A smug, lascivious grin curved Todd’s lips. “Fabulous. Everything a man could want and more. Vacation time’s not the only thing that got tapped out, if you know what I mean.”

Amused, Zack returned the grin. “Glad to hear it.”

Todd snapped his fingers. “Speaking of things I heard, congratulations on your promotion.”

“Thanks.”

“Guess that’s the reason you had to rush back early, to pick up the slack and then some until they can find a replacement for Madelyn. Man, did that news come out of left field. Peg’s been moping around ever since she heard. You’d think Madelyn was dying, not moving.”

Zack’s ears perked up. “What do you mean, a replacement for Madelyn?”

“I figured you knew. She quit. Resigned as of yesterday.”

“She quit?” he repeated, thunderstruck.

“Yeah, Peg told me she has plans to start up her own firm, bankrolled by that millionaire fiancé of hers. She said that’s the reason Madelyn turned down the promotion they—”

“The promotion they what?” Zack crossed his arms over his formidable chest and waited for the younger, shorter man to respond, a grim expression on his face.

Todd set down his mug, careful not to slop hot coffee over the edge and burn himself. “The . . . um . . . the promotion they gave to you.” He coughed. “They offered it to her first. At least that’s what she told my wife. People are wondering, though, if Madelyn said that, you know, to save face. It isn’t like her to make up stories, but on the other hand if they really did offer her the senior slot, then why’d she quit?”

Zack knew exactly why, the only reason there could be.

She’d quit to get away from him.

•   •   •

December twenty-seventh.

Her wedding day.

Madelyn awakened, a sick knot of dread twisted in the bottom of her stomach. She put her hands over her eyes as she lay against the sheets and wished she could disappear.

Holy crap
, what had she done? Why had she ever agreed to marry James? If she went through with the marriage, it would be a terrible mistake. If she didn’t . . . she couldn’t even contemplate the fallout if she didn’t.

Three hundred and fifty friends, relatives, and business associates were readying themselves even now for the ceremony due to take place in less than five hours. How could she disappoint them all?

Embarrass herself and her family?

Devastate James?

Picturing his reaction made her shudder.

Last night at the rehearsal dinner he’d been so happy. And two days before, Christmas Day, there had been a twinkle of undisguised delight in his summer blue eyes as he’d watched his two families, the one by blood, the other by bond, come together to celebrate and rejoice as one.

How could she even consider taking that from him? How could she consider shattering his hopes, destroying the dreams they’d made for their future?

No, cowardice had led her to this point; bravery would see her through. She’d made a promise, and it was far too late to break it now. Her current fears probably amounted to nothing more than bridal jitters, nerves that would pass away once she forced herself out of bed, into action. Once she was up and doing, all would be well.

But the nerves did not pass, her hands and feet chilled to the temperature of ice. Her skin paste white beneath layers of foundation and blusher, eyelids contoured with a careful blending of blue and brown shadow, her mouth stained translucent peony pink. She studied herself in the mirror, once the professional stylist finished with her hair and makeup, and thought she resembled a gaily painted doll, pretty yet lifeless underneath.

She moved and spoke and acted as if nothing were amiss, though she couldn’t choke down a bite of breakfast. Not even a glass of juice.

By the time she reached the anteroom of the church, where she would wait until the ceremony was ready to begin, her head was swimming as if she might faint. Her hands trembled as though palsied.

She sat and willfully hid them within the skirt of her exquisite wedding gown.

“Madelyn, are you all right?” Brie bent close, caught in the band of sunlight streaming through a tall casement window.

As maid of honor, she looked a picture in a long, elegant dress of blush rose satin, her short golden hair curling around her narrow, often too serious face.

Madelyn met her sister’s concerned eyes, then raised her chin and mustered a smile. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“You haven’t seemed yourself this morning. Mother and I are wondering if you’re ill.”

“No, I’m fine, just nervous. It’s perfectly normal to be nervous on your wedding day, isn’t it?” She heard the words as they tumbled from her lips and knew they’d sounded defensive.

“I wouldn’t know, since I haven’t had a wedding yet.” She laid a hand on Madelyn’s shoulder. “You’re trembling, a lot. Do you have a fever? What’s wrong?”

Madelyn veered away. “Nothing. Nothing’s wrong, I told you. I know you only want to help, but please, please leave me alone.”

She glanced up and saw two of her six bridesmaids, Peg and Ivy, hovering in the doorway, worry etched on their faces.

“What?” she demanded, hysteria rising in her voice. “What are you both staring at? I didn’t sleep well last night. I’m tired, okay? You’d think today of all days I could have five minutes to myself, five minutes’ peace. Is that too much to ask? Get out! Go away! All of you, just go away!”

Abruptly, she burst into a flood of tears.

“You heard her, ladies.” Laura Grayson strolled calmly into the center of the storm. “Madelyn needs a bit of breathing space and she’ll be fine. Why don’t you all go down the hall, give your hair and makeup a final check?”

Brie patted Madelyn’s hand through the folds of her skirt, then left with the others as she’d been directed, closing the door behind her.

Madelyn tried to quit crying, but the tears wouldn’t stop; they only flowed faster. She wiped at her face with her fingers and pressed the heels of her hands against her cheeks.

“Here, dear.” Laura passed her daughter several tissues.

Grateful, Madelyn accepted them, blowing her nose, blotting her eyes.

Laura seated herself beside her daughter. She waited until the worst of Madelyn’s tears slowed. “Now, why don’t you tell me what’s wrong?”

Madelyn shook her head and balled the tissues into her fist. She sniffed. “I can’t.” Another tear raced down her cheek.

“Of course you can. I’m your mother. You should know by now you can tell me anything, anything at all.”

“Not this.”

“Anything.”

“You’ll hate me.”

“I could never hate you.”

“You will once I tell you, because I can’t . . . I can’t go through with the wedding,” she whispered in horror.

She waited for the explosion.

But her mother sat quiet and patient instead.

Madelyn took a shaky breath. “I know it’s what you all want. It’s what I thought I wanted too. What I’d convinced myself was for the best. But I can’t, I just can’t marry him. I’m sorry, oh God, I’m so sorry. How will I ever face him again? And all the guests, the expense. Oh Lord, this is so awful.”

She began crying again, burying her face in the tissues again as she waited for her mother to speak, expecting, almost hoping, to be told to pull herself together and quit being ridiculous.

Laura sighed heavily. “If you feel that strongly, then you mustn’t marry him.”

“What?” She sniffed.

“This is my fault. I’ve sensed . . . well . . . for a while that something wasn’t right. You haven’t been happy, not like you should have been. I tried to make myself talk to you about it once or twice, but I suppose I was afraid of what I might hear. I love you and James, and I’ve always wanted to see you together. I let myself believe if I kept silent, it would turn out all right in the end. I was wrong and I’m sorry.”

“No, this is entirely my doing.” Madelyn blew her nose again, straightening her back. “I should have had the courage to call it off long ago.” She hung her head, her voice low. “I should never have agreed to marry him in the first place.”

“Why did you agree?”

“Because it made him happy. It made all of you happy, and I thought eventually, if I tried hard enough, I’d feel the same. Only I didn’t, and the harder I tried, the worse it became.” She sighed. “I do love him, you know.”