“No one ever talks to me like that,” he managed through his mirth.
The disapproval left her gaze as a wicked smile lit her features. “Maybe if it happened more often you wouldn’t be so awkward socially.”
A woman like Lilly could certainly keep him on his toes. Smart, funny, and she already had Grandma’s approval.
“Perhaps you should forgive me and agree to go out with me,” he said. “I’m sure I would pick up a few social graces hanging out with you.”
Moisture gleamed in her beautiful eyes and Lilly blinked rapidly.
“What did I say wrong now?” He had a hard time keeping up with her volatile moods. Unable to stop himself, he reached out and caressed her shoulder. “I’m really not trying to upset you again.”
She pulled away from him and wrapped her arms around herself. “It would have been nice to believe you found me attractive and actually wanted to date me,” she whispered.
“What? Wait, you must know you’re gorgeous.” This wasn’t going as planned. It had been a mistake to touch her. Zach scooted back along the counter, putting more space between them. “I’m not ready to date yet. I’m not sure I want a relationship after the one I had with Victoria.”
Zach pushed away the little whisper of thought pressing against his mind, insisting he had proven himself a liar. If Lilly wanted him, he might be ready. If only he could be sure she truly was different from his wife, that her kindness wasn’t an act that would disappear when she received what she wanted.
Lilly looked at him, the expression on her face softer. “You must miss your wife a lot.”
He didn’t want to talk about Victoria, not to Lilly. He pushed memories of his marriage away and shook his head. “I really want you to go to the party, Lilly. It would mean a lot to me. I’ll give you whatever you need, help you any way I can. Just, please, name your price and be my date.”
“You’ve got to be kidding. Do women usually respond to that kind of offer from you?” Lilly snatched the flowers off the counter. She limped over to the food bar and slammed them against it. Water sloshed out and trickled down the side of the vase. She ignored it and sat on one of the stools.
Damn, damn, damn! Zach grabbed a hand towel hanging on the stove handle and cleaned up the little puddle of water.
Every woman he’d ever dated wanted something from him—money, clothes, a tropical vacation. None of them wanted only to spend time with him. Was that all Lilly asked for?
He hung the towel back up and sat on the stool next to her. “I’m sorry. Usually that’s what the women I date expect from me.”
“Perhaps you’re choosing the wrong type of women.” She rubbed at her leg, wincing slightly.
Zach glanced down, for the first time noticing the scars. The outer left thigh was a mutilated mass of pink and purple marks, which started somewhere above her shorts and ended at her knee. It looked terrible. The initial injury must have been extremely painful.
She looked at him and sighed. “I know it’s not pretty. I don’t like people seeing it.” She grimaced, and Zach saw the pain in her expression before she dropped her eyes from his. “I never get uninvited company.”
“I should’ve called before I came over, but I figured you’d refuse to see me.” He searched her face for some indication of whether she was about to throw him out. “Not that I’m doing a particularly good job at getting you to forgive me.” Maybe if he went for a touch of the dramatic. “No doubt you’re so upset with me, we can’t even be friends now.”
Lilly smiled briefly and shook her head. “Shouldn’t a mighty Woodbridge be a little more suave? Who would’ve guessed you’d be just as awkward as the next guy? You certainly brag about yourself enough.”
“Hey, I wouldn’t have to brag if someone would stroke my ego for me a little bit now and then.”
“I don’t think you need anything stroked,” she said, her eyes hidden beneath downcast lashes.
“You really don’t think so?” Zach strived for an innocent expression on his face.
She laughed, a real laugh, and things once again felt normal between them.
“Does this mean you forgive me?” he asked.
She massaged her leg again. “I’m thinking about it.”
“Do you have a heating pad or something?” He eyed the ruined limb. “You don’t need to hide it from me, but it looks painful.”
“It used to be worse. At first, I thought I was going to die,” she said. “Even once I stabilized and they decided I’d live, I wanted to die. The doctors told me I’d never walk again.”
“But you did. You’re a strong woman.” Curiosity consumed Zach. Lilly had yet to share many personal things with him. “Do you feel like telling me your story? You’ve listened to me go on and on about my writing for the past few months, but I don’t know much about you.”
Lilly hesitated and looked away from him. Ghosts of thoughts flitted across her face. He stayed silent, giving her time to decide whether she wanted to confide in him.
“There was an accident. Pieces of metal went into my leg and I nearly bled to death.” Lilly looked at the flowers. “My fiancé died.”
“Oh, Lilly. That’s horrible.” He reached out to rub her arm but stopped himself just in time. “I didn’t know.”
“No one here knows,” she replied. “I want to forget those things.”
“You must miss your fiancé terribly.” Zach struggled to keep his voice level. He never imagined Lilly might be pining away for another man. It was not a happy thought.
Lilly shook her head and took a deep breath; a sad smile played about her lips. “I suspect it’s not as hard for me as losing your wife was for you. It certainly changed my life though.” She shrugged. “I’m happy to be where I am now.”
Zach wanted to question her further. He wondered what her fiancé had been like. What sort of man had Lilly fallen in love with? He could tell she was uncomfortable talking about it and decided not to press her further. If he stopped making an idiot of himself, maybe he’d learn more about her life later.
“Grandma wanted me to tell you she expects you Monday morning.” He figured that was a safe subject.
“Good,” Lilly replied. “I worried when I left there today.”
“You shouldn’t have wasted a second thinking about it.” Zach smiled. “Grandma loves you. I was ordered to beg your forgiveness and convince you to accompany me to the party.”
Lilly raised an eyebrow at him. “Now you’re asking because your grandmother wants you to?”
Zach sighed. “You’re making this difficult on purpose, aren’t you?”
Lilly didn’t reply but stood and retrieved glasses out of the cupboard. She poured the wine and offered him some, taking a small sip from her own before she sat back down.
“This isn’t for Grandma.” Zach leaned forward and tentatively caressed her arm. “I want to get to know you better, although you may be the most frustrating woman I’ve ever met. I made a mistake in how I asked you, and I’m sorry for that.” He took her hand in his, relieved when she didn’t pull away. “My parents are throwing a boat party tomorrow night. I would be very honored if you would consent to be my date.”
“And you’re not going to pay me?” she asked.
“The way things are going, I might have you pay me.”
To his relief, she laughed. “All right, you win. I’ll go.”
Zach grinned and gulped down his wine. Considering he just committed himself to trying a relationship he said he didn’t want, he felt ridiculously happy. Perhaps Lilly would be different from all the other women. Grandma seemed to think she was, and her instincts weren’t often wrong.
Chapter Six
Lilly took one last look in the mirror while waiting for Zach to pick her up. She left her hair loose around her shoulders and curly, since Zach seemed to prefer it that way. She hoped going back to her old look didn’t get someone thinking about how much she resembled the girl from New York.
This was the fi
rst time since moving to Serenity she’d be with people who might have followed the case. The story featured heavily in the papers last year. Lilly knew many of the fabulously rich tended to be bicoastal, and chances were good they read about it.
“No one will recognize you,” she told her reflection sternly. “Anyway...you can’t hide forever.”
She slipped her feet into black dress sandals and fastened the silver buckles. She regretted the need to forgo high heels. She could use the added height. Unfortunately, her injury made heels impossible.
Her dress was a simple sleeveless black that flowed gracefully to her feet, the seams piped in silver. Zach had deemed it suitable when she showed it to him before he left last night. She regretted her lack of jewelry, but rich women could smell a fake a mile away.
Lilly heard a car door slam. Zach was a few minutes early. Good thing she hadn’t changed her mind about the hair. Life with Charles taught her a lot about punctuality. He certainly hadn’t liked it if she delayed him a few seconds.
She doubted Zach would lose his temper over something so trifling, but she wanted to make a good impression. Even if this wasn’t a real date in Zach’s mind, she didn’t want to start the night off on the wrong foot.
She rushed to the front door and waited for him to knock. The time ticked by on the clock, and she could hear him move around on the porch. Perhaps he planned to wait, knocking exactly on time. She smiled and opened the door. Zach’s fist had just risen to knock as it swung it open.
“Wow!” He ran a hand through his hair and his eyes traveled up and down Lilly’s body. “Wow!”
“Thank you.” She twirled around slowly to give him the whole image. “I take it I pass inspection?”
“I only thought about the women who will be after me tonight, but I should have thought this out better. I’m going to have to stay very close to you and beat back the other guys.”
“Oh, no, don’t you worry about that, Mr. Woodbridge.” A smile stretched across her face. Even though they weren’t actually dating, Zach’s admiration was obviously not feigned. It never hurt to have an ego boost. “I’m on a date with you. You’re the only man who matters tonight.”
“Yes, but what about tomorrow?”
Lilly pulled her keys from her handbag, stepping out of the house and locking the door. She didn’t know how to respond. Did he really mean he’d like to see her again, as something more than a decoy? That didn’t make any sense though. No matter how Lilly felt in her heart, her brain knew they were from two different worlds now. When Zach picked a woman to really date, he wouldn’t give a second’s thought to this arrangement or making it something more.
Zach claimed her arm and helped her to the car. The black BMW was nothing short of luxurious. Lilly slid into the leather passenger seat with a sigh of contentment. A person soon got used to buying everything secondhand, but that didn’t stop them from remembering, and enjoying, the finer things in life.
Zach looked wonderful himself. His tux boasted a silver vest and handkerchief. People wouldn’t have any trouble knowing they were together. She figured that was the impression he wanted.
“You look very nice,” she said when he entered the car, loving the way his hair stuck up after he ran his hand through it.
Zach put his seat belt on and pulled down the visor to look into the vanity mirror. “Thanks. Messed my hair up though.” He tried to smooth the errant hair as he spoke. “Horrible habit. Drives Mother crazy.”
Lilly put her hand over his to stop his movements and pulled it away from his head. The contact of his hand in hers sent a tingle of awareness up her arm. She bit her lip and let go. “Take it from me, that’s a very sexy look for you.”
“But my mother will—”
“Mothers don’t know sexy, at least not in their own sons.” She ran her fingers through his thick hair, spiking it back up. Even if she could never really be with Zach, the feel of his soft hair against her skin would add additional fodder for her dreams. “There. You look perfect.”
“I guess Mother can deal with it.” He grinned as he backed the car out of the driveway. “You do realize I’ll blame it all on you when she complains?”
Lilly clasped her hands together. “I’m worried about meeting your family.”
“Don’t be. Grandma is crazy about you. That’s what will matter to them.”
“Zach, I’m the hired help. I really don’t think your scheme is going to work.”
“It’s no longer a scheme, since you wouldn’t go along with that,” he pointed out.
Why did he keep saying things like that? It made her want to hope this was something more than a ruse to fool his family, even though she knew better.
She sighed. “Scheme between us or not, your family won’t be happy about this.”
Zach glanced at her before turning his attention back to the road. “Has anyone told you about my sister’s husband?”
Lilly shook her head.
“Before Grandma set him up with Sarah, Steven worked as Grandma’s accountant. Now, he’s head of accounting at Woodbridge, Inc.”
“So Margaret likes to set you all up with people who work for her?” Lilly asked, shocked.
He reached over and patted her arm. “Stop worrying. That was the point of my story.”
They drove in silence. Lilly watched as faded paint and damaged shingles gave way to brand-new siding and metal roofs. Houses became bigger and newer with every block they advanced toward the lake.
Despite Zach’s reassurances, Lilly’s anxiety built as they neared their destination. She was only a fake date. It didn’t really matter what his family thought of her, but she wanted them to like her.
In her life before Charles, she would have been more than acceptable to his family. But now...now she was a suspected murderess and a girl who worked for a living. Even without knowing Lilly’s past, Zach’s mother would probably hate her on sight because she worked for Margaret.
The sun dipped low in the sky, turning the clouds into a brilliant show of crimson and gold as they pulled into the driveway of the biggest house on the lake. The large porch wrapped around either side of the home and boasted thick columns. The house was a bright shade of white with the exception of the red front door. Enormous windows peered at the arriving guests like watchful eyes.
Lilly’s stomach clenched. “I think we should go to your house so you can fix your hair,” she blurted, desperate to put off meeting his family a little bit longer.
“No way. You said it was better this way. I’m keeping it.” Zach maneuvered the BMW into a spot on the large driveway, shut off the car, and hopped out. He opened Lilly’s door and helped her to her feet. “I don’t want you leaving me tonight for a man with messier hair,” he whispered into her ear.
His breath against her cheek made her shivery all over, but wasn’t enough to distract her. “Really, Zach, your mother—”
“Doesn’t know sexy.”
She shook her head and allowed him to take her arm as they walked to the house. It seemed some barrier had been broken when she agreed to date Zach. The feel of him against her, touching her, no longer induced little fissions of fear along with excitement. Now all she felt was excitement.
When they entered the foyer, Lilly barely dodged out of the way of a man in a waiter’s uniform who trudged past them carrying a large crate.
Zach led Lilly into the living room where two women in elegant dresses stood talking.
A young child looked up as they entered and shot across the room, her dark hair streaming behind her. She jumped as she reached Zach with all faith he would catch her. “Uncle Zach!” she shrieked. “Uncle Zach is here!”
“And how is Princess Savannah doing today?” Zach hitched the girl up on his hip and gave her a kiss on the forehead.
“I’m playing all night,” she told him with delight. “I get to stay with the babysitter and not go to your boring party.”
“That sounds wonderful, Princess.” He placed the girl gent
ly back on the floor. “I want you to meet my good friend, Lilly.”
Savannah regarded Lilly warily and tried to hide behind Zach’s leg.
Lilly smiled at the child and lowered herself into a crouching position. She ignored the way her leg bickered as the muscles stretched. “It is very nice to meet you, Savannah.” Lilly extended her hand.
She had never been around children much, and hoped Savannah wouldn’t be afraid of her. She concentrated on the girl’s eyes, attempting to soften her own gaze. The only thing she knew about kids were things she learned from television, watching one of those reality nanny shows.
Savannah stared at Lilly for several long seconds and then smiled. She launched herself into the open space between Lilly’s arm and body to hug her. The force knocked Lilly off balance and she began to tip. Before her heart could do more than pound a bit, Zach’s strong hands gripped her shoulders and held her steady.
“You look real pretty,” Savannah said. “I love your dress. Mommy always wears blue or purple.” Savannah released Lilly to dart back to the other side of the room and resume playing with the toys she dropped.
“Why did you get down like that?” Zach pulled Lilly to her feet. “You’ll hurt all night now.”
Lilly shrugged and smiled up at him. “I saw on a TV show you’re supposed to get on a child’s level.”
“Looks like you picked a great date, Zach.” The younger woman crossed the room. Her lavender skirt swirled around her legs as she moved. “Savannah doesn’t like anyone when she first meets them. You must have a natural talent with children.”
Lilly let that pass without comment. These people would think she was crazy if she told them she’d never been around kids before and they actually terrified her. “You must be Zach’s sister.”
The angular features that looked so harsh on Zach’s face were much more suited to a female. Her face tapered down to a beautiful heart shape and red painted her lips. She had the same penetrating, green eyes as Zach. The resemblance was unmistakable.
She smiled warmly. “Yes, I’m Sarah. It’s so nice to meet you. I can’t tell you how excited I was when Zach told me you were coming. You’re the first date he’s sounded excited about since...” Sarah’s cheeks reddened and she looked away from Lilly.
Always & Forever Page 4
