by Jill Snow
“Malone you need to mingle. You can’t afford to ignore all of the people here just because of her.”
“Watch it Mark. Her name is Zoe.”
“Sorry,” Mark said, barely glancing her way.
“Declan, you go. I need to find the ladies room.” Zoe excused herself. She didn’t like Mark, he had the look of a ferret. She smiled at people as she found the ladies’ room. She was the only one in the room so took her time redoing her lipstick. She had just gone into a stall to grab a tissue when the door opened. Two women came in. They obviously thought the room was empty.
“Did you see the woman on Declan Malone’s arm? Who does she think she is? He’ll dump her next week, can’t she see that? He’s like that with every woman he meets. All true love and happy families until his next leading lady comes along.”
“Come on Susie, that’s a bit unfair. They seem happy together. You aren’t jealous, are you?”
“Jealous? Of a mechanic from the wrong side of town? Not on your life. Let him play prince charming to the poor Cinderella. He’ll come back to me in no time. He always does.”
“Especially if you land the leading role in the next movie. When will you find out?”
Simmering with anger, Zoe refused to hide in the stall. She flushed the toilet and came out to greet the ladies with a smile on her face. She washed her hands as they squirmed.
“Sorry, but us Cinderellas like to keep our hands clean.”
She left them both in her wake. She wasn’t going to let them see that their spiteful words had gotten to her.
She spotted Declan in what appeared to be a deep conversation with someone. She didn’t want to interrupt, so she found an empty table and took a seat. She wasn’t there long before a man came up and asked her to dance. She vaguely recognized him but couldn’t remember his name.
He held her too close as they danced.
“You know you should stick with me babe. Malone’s star is already on its way down.”
“Really?” she replied icily but the man was either too dense or too drunk to realize. He pulled her closer.
“Is it true you’re a mechanic? I bet you could teach me a trick or two.” His grin turned into a grimace as her heel caught the sensitive part of his foot.
“Please excuse me, I’m not used to dancing in heels this high.”
She walked away, hearing him swear at her under his breath. The rose tinted glasses had been ripped from her eyes. Instead of seeing people admiring her gown, she saw them looking her up and down as if wondering how she dared to be there. Mixing with them. She overheard snippets of conversations so rude and immature she almost thought she was back in high school for a minute. This wasn’t the real world. All these people had to complain about was their next role or their co-star.
She edged her way through the crowd, determined to leave.
“Zoe, there you are. I wanted to introduce you to Stephen. Sorry, we got into a conversation and I lost track of time.”
She smiled. This was important to Declan and he didn’t need her to mess it up.
“Lovely to meet you Miss. Nice to see someone having a good time with their date. Not always the case at these parties,” Stephen said.
Zoe continued to smile despite the fact that her mouth was getting tired. She didn’t know what to say.
“What do you think about Declan tackling a different sort of role?”
“It was Zoe’s idea. She thinks the roles I play could be done by anyone.”
Stephen’s eyes shone with approval. “Every man needs a good woman to keep his feet on the ground. Maybe you two would like to join my wife Edith and I for some dinner one night next month.”
“We would love that, wouldn’t we Zoe?” Declan said.
“Good,” Stephen said, looking genuinely pleased. “Now if you will excuse me, I’m going to head home. I can’t abide these after parties. They rapidly deteriorate into a gossip fest. And I am too old for that nonsense.”
“I’d like to go home too, please,” Zoe said. The effort of keeping a smile on her face was getting painful.
“Really?” Declan’s surprise was obvious. “I thought you were enjoying yourself.”
“I rather guess she was until she met the less than delightful Susie. I saw her follow you into the ladies. Whatever she said or did, Zoe, ignore her. If you’ve ever heard the phrase ‘empty vessels make the most noise’, never was it applied more aptly than to that woman.”
Zoe didn’t know how to reply so stayed silent.
“Now goodnight and please do take me up on that dinner offer.”
“We will,” Declan answered for both of them but he was staring at Zoe with concern.
Chapter 54
The high he’d felt from talking to the man and finding out he was interested in him playing the Irish rebel had disappeared. The look of distress in Zoe’s eyes was hidden by the smile she had forced onto her face. He wanted to find Susie and force her into telling him what she’d said or done. He didn’t approve of violence, least of all to a woman, but Susie would try anyone’s patience.
“Do you really want to go home?”
Zoe nodded quickly and looked way. He thought he saw tears in her eyes.
“Right, let’s get our coats then.”
“Declan there you are. I want you to come and meet—”
“Sorry Mark, I’m going home.”
“Not yet you aren’t. I’ve worked on this all evening. The least you can do is say hello. You can bring her with you.”
Declan gripped Zoe’s hand tighter. He was furious but he didn’t want to make a scene sensing Zoe would be blamed.
“Zoe deserves to be spoken to with respect.”
He hadn’t realized he had spoken so loudly until Zoe whispered to him.
“Declan, please. People are staring. Let’s go.”
Her voice brought him to his senses fast. He looked up to find people were indeed staring. He gave Mark a scathing look. “We are done. Nothing would make me work with you again. Do you hear that?” He put his arm around Zoe’s waist. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”
As they were leaving, some reporters took their pictures. He sensed Zoe was barely holding herself together so he tried to move quickly past.
“Mr. Malone is it true you are behind the investment circle buying up Cloudy Bay? Was it your girlfriend who gave you the inside track?”
Chapter 55
Zoe stopped dead. Her head was reeling from what the ladies had said inside but this was worse. She whirled around, focusing on the reporter.
“What did you say?”
“I just asked if you had given him insider information. I did some digging on your town and it seems that your boyfriend and a guy called Chris Lyons are the main investors behind the regeneration project. It doesn’t seem that popular among the locals. What’s your opinion on it?”
“There will be no regeneration program. Cloudy Bay is perfect the way it is,” Zoe took a deep breath. “Are you going to print that?”
“Sure lady. Can I quote you?”
“Leave my partner alone, Weatherson. Go dig in someone else’s backyard. Come on Zoe, let’s get you home.”
They rode home in silence. Zoe walked into the house first while Declan tipped the driver and then followed her. Zoe paced the floor. How could he be in business with Chris Lyons? Didn’t he know the man? How could he be behind the project to turn Cloudy Bay into a miniature version of LA. It was perfect as it was. They didn’t need those fancy hotels or new apartments.
“Zoe, it’s not like it sounds.”
“Isn’t it? Is that why you didn’t want me going home to sort out the garage. Were you in on that too?”
“No of course not. I am not in on anything.”
“That’s not what the reporter says,” she spat back.
“Since when do you believe them? I have only met Chris Lyons once and it was weeks ago.”
“So when were you going to tell me?”
�
�I wasn’t.” He took a step back when she glared at him.
“It’s not like that Zoe. The man came up to me in the hotel a day or so after Conor’s wedding. He implied Conor had given him my details. At the time it sounded plausible. I just assumed he was a guest at the wedding. But after getting to know you and other residents in Cloudy Bay I didn’t go to Lyon’s meeting. I don’t know where Weatherson got the idea I was involved in the project. I’m not.”
“He can't have made that stuff up can he?” Zoe retorted but it looked as if Declan was telling the truth.
“Zoe, I have no idea why people say the stuff they do. Most of it is lies. I don’t know what Susie told you in the bathroom or why you got upset? I care about you Zoe, only you. Well, Dominic too. You are the most important people in my life. I would never do anything to hurt you. You must know that.”
Zoe sat at the table, putting her head in her hands. She didn’t know anything anymore. Her business was in the dust, her little brother’s future was gone along with her promise to her dad. The ladies in the bathroom had been pretty clear how lubricious the idea of her, a mechanic, dating Declan was and now the thoughts of him being involved with Chris Lyons. No, her brain couldn’t take any more. She stood up again and headed to her room.
“Zoe, wait. What are you doing?”
“I am going home tomorrow. I can't think straight. Everything is so false out here. There seem to be no real friendships. They are nice to your face but behind your back, you should hear what they say. I can’t live like that. I want to go back to normality.”
“What is normal? Your business is being sabotaged by a long time family friend. Is that what you are heading back to?”
She glared at him. “I have to try and save the business.”
“Zoe, it’s too late. Even if Jim wasn’t trying to close you down the market has changed. There simply isn’t enough business to keep the garage running.”
“So you think I should give up and play right into Chris Lyons hands?”
“This has nothing to do with Chris Lyons. We can stop his renovation project. Together. But first we have to sort you out. You work too hard and for what? A legacy you cannot fulfill. If your dad was here, he would tell you.”
“But he’s not here is he? You didn’t even know him.”
“No but I believe he was great man because he had two awesome kids. Zoe, you are intelligent, smart and kind. You have the biggest heart and you are beautiful to boot. I don’t know anyone else like you. Please don’t leave. I love you. I don’t ever want to be without you again. Marry me, please.”
She couldn’t look at him. He moved toward her and put a finger gently under her chin.
“Well, I guess that wouldn’t make the list of most romantic proposal ever?”
She tried to smile at his joke but she couldn’t. Her tears slipped over and slid down her cheek.
“Zoe, darling don’t cry. Please don’t. I can't bear to see you this upset. Go to bed. Tomorrow we will go back to Cloudy Bay together. We can bring Dominic if you like or he can stay here with Maria. We will sort everything out tomorrow. Together we can achieve anything. So long as we are together. Aren’t we?”
Tempted as she was to say yes, she couldn’t. Her heart and head were all over the place. Her stomach felt sick. She moved a step away from him, hating the hurt and disappointment on his face.
“I can’t. Not now. I want to go home. Alone. I need some time.”
“Okay. Whatever you want. I don’t like it but I am not going to force you to do anything. What about Dominic? Do you want him to go with you?”
She glanced at the floor. She wasn’t sure what to do. Her brother was having the time of his life. He didn’t need to know what was happening back home.
“If it’s okay for him to stay here, I would like that please.”
“Of course it’s okay. When I told you I loved you I meant it. As far as I am concerned you and Dom are a package deal. I would never come between you both. He has a home here with us. Please think about us.”
“I will,” she whispered, the unshed tears making it hard to speak. “Please go.”
“I will go sort out your flight. No argument. You are not driving back to Cloudy Bay. The drive is too long especially in this state. Use the jet.”
She didn’t answer. Then she heard the door close softly behind him.
She lay on the bed, muffling her tears with her pillow. How could the night of her dreams have turned into such a nightmare?
Chapter 56
Zoe couldn’t sleep. She packed away the clothes she had worn during her trip. Maybe Maria could get them cleaned and then sell them and donate the money to a worthy cause. They weren’t the type of clothes she could wear in real life. She kept one business suit which she had picked up on Clara’s insistence. She was determined to give Chris Lyons the fight of his life and wanted to be dressed appropriately. The well cut professional looking suit would show she meant business. When she wore it, she immediately became more confident. Seems she had learned a little acting from her time spent in LA.
She packed her suitcase. Only after that was done did she take a wander outside to sit by the pool. The sun was coming up signaling another bright, beautiful day. She let her feet slip into the water as she savored the views around her. She wanted to commit everything to memory. Something to look back on in the days ahead.
The patio door slid open behind her.
“Morning. I was about to make coffee, want one?
“No thank you,” she replied coolly. She didn’t want to speak to him, it was too hard.
He didn’t take the hint but came over to sit on the chair beside her.
“Zoe, I’m sorry.”
“I know and I don’t blame you. What you said last night about Chris Lyons makes sense. But it just proved how much we were deceiving ourselves. We barely know each other’s surnames. You can’t make a life long decision on feelings of…”
“Love? I think most relationships that last are founded on that basis.”
“You can’t love me, Declan. You may think you do but you don’t know me. Obviously I don’t know you either. Whatever we think we feel, it’s not real. This whole experience isn’t real.” She blinked back tears, not of sorrow but of frustration. Why did the first guy she fell for so deeply after Noah have to live in Hollywood? Why couldn’t he have been a mechanic too?
“Zoe, don’t make any decisions yet, please. Go back to Cloudy Bay, talk to Mr. Epstein and sort out the issues at the garage. Then when you are ready, come with me to Dublin. I’ll book you and Dominic your own hotel. You can meet my parents, see where I grew up. We can spend time together just like any other couple.”
“I don’t think I can.”
“Zoe, please don’t give me your answer now. Think about it. I love you. I want a life with you. I won’t give up easily. If there is one thing you know about me, I am persistent.”
Zoe knew he was. He couldn’t have achieved everything he had without it.
“I will think about it. What are we going to tell Dominic and the others?”
“Maria will probably guess I put my foot in things. But we can tell Dominic you had to sort something out at the garage. He won’t question that.”
Chapter 57
Declan drove Zoe up to the airport. He didn’t try to change her mind knowing this was important to her. It took all his restraint not to tell her again how much he loved her and wanted her to share the rest of his life. Dominic had elected to stay and didn’t seem too worried about Zoe going away without him.
“I will keep Dominic busy and make sure he doesn’t eat too much candy.”
She smiled but it wasn’t her usual radiant one. He gave up after that and they traveled in silence. Only at the airport, when she was boarding the plane did he kiss her. On the cheek.
“I love you Zoe Clark. Good luck.”
He walked away quickly telling himself the pilot needed to keep to his routine but the reality was, he didn�
��t want to hang around waiting for her to say something. It wouldn’t be the words he was desperate to hear.
He waited until the plane had disappeared from view before returning home. Despite Dominic and Maria being there, it seemed empty. Without her.
Chapter 58
Zoe couldn’t relax on the short flight. She was determined to drop her bags at home and then head over to Mr. Epstein. She needed her facts straight before she attempted to talk to Jim. She had bargained without her aunt.
“Kathy what are you doing here? ‘
“Declan rang and suggested you might need a lift.”
Oh that man, why did he keep interfering?
“Don’t you look at me that way Zoe Clark. He loves you and wants to look after you. That’s normal. It's what your dad did for your mom, what grandpa did for your grandma. Real men don’t take away their partner’s independence but they support it in every way they can. Now you tell me what is going on with you? Why did you come running home?”
Zoe outlined what Mr. Epstein had told her about the garage and Jim.
“Why that low down rattlesnake. To think your dad trusted him for years and years. I never liked him. He has squinty eyes.”
Despite herself, Zoe couldn’t help smiling at her aunt’s assessment of Jim.
“What else made you come home? Couldn’t just have been that.” Kathy’s expression meant business, she wouldn’t settle for anything less than the full story.
“Did you know Chris Lyons tried to get Declan’s backing for his renovation project?”
“Chris Lyons behaved in an underhanded manner. Now that is shocking.” Kathy’s heavy sarcasm wasn’t lost on Zoe.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Zoe couldn’t help but be defensive. She had expected her aunt to be angry with Declan.
“You are acting like you are shocked. You know that man and how he acts. Didn’t you tell me he asked you out despite him being married. Why would you be surprised at anything he does?”
