“Hey, Lexi.” Zoe’s concerned look washed away. “Calm down. What? Okay, sure, I can be there in a few minutes.”
After she hung up, Will stepped forward, Frank close behind. “Is everything okay?”
“There’s a slight emergency at Lexi’s shop. Dad, is your car here?”
Frank shook his head. “It’s at the new garage downtown. I took an Uber today.”
Will’s chest swelled with pride with the chance to save the day. “I drove here. I can take you wherever you need to go.”
CHAPTER 7
Driving through the quaint little neighborhood only reminded Zoe of the life she wanted. Children played on their neatly manicured green lawns. Husbands washed their cars in the late afternoon. Smoke billowed from lit grills in the backyards. A faint smell of hot dogs on coal filled the air.
With the car’s top down, Zoe heard the unmistakable splash of people in the pools behind the homes, as well. This was so different from what Zoe saw from her condo balcony every day. There were no lawns where she lived, unless you counted the sprinkle of green nestling under the sign with the name of her building. The beaches were always covered in half-naked men and women. Tanned bodies stretched on oversize towels or beach chairs. At every corner there was always a party going on.
“What’s that smile all about?” Will asked Zoe. Of the four cars at the stop sign, Will appeared to be the only experienced driver. Pimply faced boys on the left and the right of them gunned their engines, and a girl with headgear was directly across from them. All three drivers had older males, whom Zoe assumed were their fathers, seated in the passenger’s seats and pointing at the stop sign. Will, being last at the stop, waited. In Miami, she would have been gone by now.
Watching the fathers with their children reminded her of her father. Zoe glanced back at Will. “Care to tell me what you and my dad were talking about?”
Will inhaled deeply, contemplating her question, and then let out his breath. “I can’t. Does that negate whether or not you’ll tell me what’s on your mind?”
“Have you ever thought about looking for Octavia?”
“You’re seriously thinking about Ravens?”
Zoe shrugged her shoulders. “When am I not?”
“I appreciate your dedication to the family,” Will said. “But for the record, my grandmother looked for Octavia for years after she disappeared.”
“Does anyone know why she left?”
Will shook his head. “Not to my knowledge.”
“So no one even knows if she’s dead or alive.”
Will blew out a long breath. “No. I wish for my grandmother’s sake that she would make contact with someone from the family.”
“I bet anyone in the family would be interested in hearing from her,” Zoe commented.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, you said there’s a divide between you and your cousins, whether or not to close the company doors. Her vote could help.”
“Or hurt,” Will said with a nod. “So was my family really what brought that beautiful smile to your face? If so, I might need to consider keeping you around more.”
“You need to keep me around because I’m what’s best for Ravens Cosmetics.”
“There you go. Now, why don’t you tell me what else was on your mind. Are you worried about what your father said to me?”
Knowing how persuasive Frank Baldwin could be, Zoe shrugged her shoulders. “I was thinking about home.”
“Miami home or here in Southwood?” asked Will.
“No,” Zoe answered. “I was thinking about my place in Miami.”
“Yes, your Miami address,” Will nodded. “I am going to need to know that information.”
It was on her résumé, but Zoe decided not to bring her future at RC up right now. They’d crossed the threshold of any work relationship they might have again just then when Will reached over and squeezed her thigh. She bit her lip to fight back the excitement. Where would things have gone between them had they not been interrupted in her bedroom? One thing was for sure, Zoe’s insides were awakened and she couldn’t wait to have another chance of seeing where things would lead. “I live at the Cozier Condominiums.”
Will let out a long whistle and began driving again. “Swanky.”
After all the teasing she’d given him about growing up privileged. “Be quiet. I am leasing it from a former client.”
“Someone famous?”
Zoe shook her head again and glanced at the view. The condo was leased to her by the Ruiz family. Natalia Ruiz was a famous reality star who grew up in the limelight. When she and her family were in Miami, she always contracted Zoe. On several occasions Natalia flew Zoe out on location for special events. But after Natalia got married, she’d shied away from the cameras. Zoe knew where Natalia lived, but she’d never betray Natalia’s trust. “You must know I’m not at liberty to say.”
“Perhaps you will tell me over dinner Monday night.”
“Monday?” Zoe repeated.
“I figured by the time we returned Sunday after the pageant, it might be too late. Although I could try to use my, what is it you say? My influence?”
“Affluence,” Zoe corrected him.
“Yeah, that’s it. I can call in a few favors and see about getting Trudy’s to open.”
Zoe turned in her seat and placed her hands on her hips. “What do you know about Trudy’s?”
“What?” Will’s mouth gaped open. “It’s only the best place to get roti in Miami.”
As much as Zoe loved her Southern food with its savory greens, crispy fried chicken and thick, sweet tea, she missed the taste of the Caribbean. “I might just let you take me there.”
“When we return home, you are coming with me, or I will pick it up and we’ll eat at my place or yours.”
A chill of desire ran down her spine. “You’re lucky their gulab jamun is my kryptonite.”
The reference to a superhero didn’t fall on deaf ears. Will winked and shook his head. “You should try the pudding made up with sweet dough,” he said. “If you’re good, I’ll make it for you.”
Butterflies fluttered in Zoe’s belly. She looked forward to holding Will to his word. She looked forward to a lot of things with him. Seeing him naked and finishing what they started this afternoon was at the top of her list. “Turn left up here. It’s the house with the bars on the upstairs windows.”
“Bars?” Will’s right brow rose with curiosity.
“It’s a long story,” Zoe laughed lightly. “But that sweet kid you met at the park, Kimber, gave her uncles a run for their money when they came to live here.”
If it weren’t for Kimber, Lexi and Stephen might not have met. Kimber had taken a very seductive dress from Lexi’s store without permission, and Stephen—assuming his niece was innocent—had arrived at Lexi’s store to give her a piece of his mind. Seeing how they were about to start a family of their own, so much for that plan.
Like the rest of the homes, children were playing on Lexi’s manicured lawn. Philly, Stephen’s younger niece and a seven-year-old future beauty queen, ran around the front yard, tiara secured on top of her twin pigtails as she shot a pink Nerf gun at two boys. Her army, a set of twins, stood by her side. The mini-militia stopped and saluted Zoe and Will as they pulled into the driveway.
Lexi stood at the doorway, her hairstyle looking bigger than ever, if it were possible. Her signature blond hair was pulled into a ponytail at the top of her head, which she shook feverishly. “I’m so glad you came. I have no idea how this happened so quickly.”
Zoe got out of the car before Will put the vehicle in Park. “Where is the patient?”
“She’s locked herself in the downstairs bathroom. I don’t think she even noticed while she was getting ready—until she looke
d in the mirror,” Lexi said, crossing her arms together and biting her fingernails.
“You guys must have florescent lights,” said Zoe. “Didn’t I tell you to get softer ones in the bathrooms?”
“I’m not the one who needs to be convinced.” Lexi turned back and gravely nodded. “It’s also motion censored in case the patient tries to sneak in late. The whole house lights up inside.”
“Did she say ‘patient’?” Will asked. He slammed his door shut and started to follow them inside. Before he locked the doors, Zoe reached into the backseat for her caboodle. Will jogged around the car and took hold of it.
“Let me get that for you.”
“Will, I’ve been lugging that thing around for years now.” Zoe tried yanking it from his hands but he held on tight.
“Well, I haven’t been around for years. I am carrying it.”
“My hero,” Zoe mumbled with a sly grin.
Fortunately for Zoe, she’d brought her emergency bag with her in the van when she left this morning with Kenzie and the rest of the guests. The pink case rarely left Zoe’s side. It contained everything she needed to handle emergency situations, from waterproof mascara remover and a Ravens Cosmetics product perfect for cracked lips, to other products from other favorite companies. Although, she had to admit, the majority of the items in her bag bore the lavender and cream colors.
“What kind of emergency is this?” he asked, handing Zoe the bag.
“The worst kind any teenager could face,” Lexi said gravely, as she pushed the front door open more. Cool air from inside brushed their faces.
“A pimple,” Zoe explained to Will. His brows came together. “Trust me. For a girl about to take photographs that are going to last a lifetime, the last thing she wants is to have a blemish.”
“It’s not a blemish,” Kimber cried from behind the locked bathroom door in the hallway. “It is a new life form.”
Zoe tried not to smile as everyone’s heels clicked on the hardwood floors. Lexi rapped the back of her hand against the closed door of the bathroom. As Kimber began to tick off her list of demands, which included none of her uncles being present, no cameras and no boys, Zoe tried not to laugh. She remembered these days.
“How bad can it be?” Will tugged on the back of Zoe’s shirt and whispered in her ear.
“It’s so bad it can hear you,” Kimber said from between gritted teeth through the door. “Don’t let him in here.”
Lexi stepped between Zoe and Will. She took Will by the arm and led him off through the arched doorway. “He’s going to sit with Uncle Stephen, sweetie.”
“Don’t let Uncle Stephen give him a shotgun.”
“Gun?” Will repeated, casting a glance back at Zoe. Zoe grinned and shook her head.
“You’ll be fine,” Lexi told him. “As a matter of fact, I am leaving you in charge.”
Zoe didn’t see who was seated in the living room but she heard the boom of welcoming male voices and knew Will was in good hands. Lexi walked back down the hallway with a smirk on her face.
“Something more going on between you and the CEO?” Lexi asked. She narrowed her dark eyes at Zoe and folded her arms across her chest. “Did you forget the end game?”
“Of course not,” Zoe said. Heat crept up her neck.
“The end game is you as Creative Design Director.”
Before having to face Lexi’s motherly attitude, Zoe turned to face the door and knocked. “Hey, Kimber, we’re alone.”
“Are you going to at least answer Aunt Lexi’s question first?” Kimber’s meek voice asked from the other side.
“Really, Kimber?” Zoe laughed.
“Inquiring minds want to know,” Lexi said. She leaned against the wall.
“It would at least make this horrible day better,” added Kimber.
Realizing she wasn’t going to get anything done, Zoe sighed. “We’re getting to know each other.”
Is that what she would call it? Had they not been interrupted earlier, Zoe might have let things go a lot further. This afternoon it had been like his hands knew exactly where to go and when. His mouth was magical.
Lexi reached out with her cool hand and pinched Zoe’s cheek. “You’re turning beet red.”
“Ohhh,” Kimber sang. “Did you two kiss? He’s totally hot.”
“Girl, you were wailing three minutes ago about a pimple.” Lexi rapped on the door. “Which is more important?”
The doorknob twisted open and the hinges squeaked. “Okay, fine.”
“You started that,” Zoe whispered before heading inside.
Twenty minutes later, Zoe, Lexi and Kimber emerged from the bathroom with the proper amount of foundation covering her blemish for her pre-prom photo shoot. Zoe promised to come over Saturday afternoon before prom and do Kimber’s makeup before attending Lexi’s dinner finale for the pageant workers. As a huge favor to Kimber, Zoe did a drastic wingtip over her lid, simply because it would show up better on film. Kimber’s prom dress was a Lexi original, made up of bright yellows, oranges and peach. The colors complemented the girl’s hazel eyes and golden tan. The prom might be tomorrow night, and there was no telling if Kimber had the votes to become Miss Southwood High’s prom queen, but Lexi had plenty of tiaras to choose from.
They found the men in the living room. By “the men,” Zoe meant she found Will, Stephen, Nate and a handsome young man dressed in a black tuxedo pinned against the wall by sheer fear. Nate, Stephen’s brother, was cleaning what appeared to be a shotgun while Stephen polished his pistol. And Will, not wanting to be left out, sat in a recliner sharpening a bowie knife.
“Seriously?” Kimber wailed. “Aunt Lexi.”
With one hand on her hip, Lexi pointed toward the kitchen. “I can’t believe you two.”
“And you,” Zoe added, glaring at Will. “Put that knife down right now. We’re about to leave.”
“Say goodbye to Will, gentlemen.”
Doing as they were told, the brothers rose from their seats. “Bye, Will,” they chorused.
Nate Reyes hung his head low so he couldn’t flirt with his green eyes. Last fall Nate had met the love of his life, Amelia Marlow, when she bought him for a hefty fee at the Back to School Bachelor Auction. The “tea,” or gossip on the street, was that the two shared a sexy one-night stand and then more. Whatever the truth, Amelia stayed in Southwood and Nate ceased his womanizing ways. Nate patted Zoe’s arm on his way into the kitchen. The doorbell rang.
“Luke is going to be here any minute to take you guys for your photo shoot.”
“And chaperone!” Stephen called out from the kitchen.
“That’s right,” both Will and Nate said from either side of the house.
This felt like a glimpse into any future family she might have with Will. He’d be the perfect, overly protective father to their daughter and coach to their son. Damn it, Zoe muttered to herself.
Beside her, Lexi cocked her head to the side. “You okay?”
“Oh, yeah.” Zoe blinked and brought herself to the present. “I’m fine.”
The afternoon sun spilled into the foyer at the front door. Luke stepped inside, hugged both ladies and then performed a man ritual—a handshake and half hug with Will. A few days ago they hadn’t known each other. So? a voice in Zoe’s head taunted her. A few days ago she hadn’t known Will either, and now here she was, mentally planning their future.
Outside, the little pink militia saluted them once again. Will led Zoe back to the car with his hand on the small of her back and opened her door. She slid inside and unlocked his.
“That was fun,” Will said with a genuine smile. The engine roared to life, just as her heart had from his constant flirting.
“Scaring a teenage boy?”
“I was helping my brethren.”
; “Brethren?” Zoe laughed, “Boy, you are crazy.”
“Stick with me. I’ll show you crazy.”
* * *
Had Will not witnessed what a hurry Zoe was in to get over to Lexi and Stephen’s, he would have thought forgetting her hotel key in her childhood bedroom was just a ruse to get him alone again. But since Zoe declined the offer to get to her room through his, he believed her. They arrived back at her family’s old home just after dark. There were no cars in the driveway, but that didn’t mean Frank Baldwin wasn’t outside watching. Even though Frank wanted to encourage a relationship between Will and Zoe, Will did not want an audience. Also not wanting to be tempted to a second session in Zoe’s bedroom, Will waited on the hood of the car for Zoe to return from getting her key.
Before the door to the back porch opened with a rickety creak, a light flashed on and then off. “Can you believe my key was on my bed?” Zoe asked moments later as she bounced toward him in the moon’s light.
“I can believe you were preoccupied.” Will straightened and opened his arms. Zoe instinctively walked into his embrace. “I’m sorry about earlier.”
“What’s there to be sorry about?” Zoe glanced upward.
To meet her at eye level, Will leaned against the car again. “I don’t want the first time anything intimate happens between us to happen on your bed in your childhood home.”
“I have to apologize about your family tree.” Zoe sighed. “I was pretty obsessed when I was younger. I’m not sure why my dad put them up. I used to have cut out magazines of faces I remade using crayons and markers. Maybe those were too creepy to keep on the walls.”
“Yeah,” Will teased, “that doesn’t sound scary.” Whatever the reasons were for the old biographical report pinned on the wall, Will was glad. He was flattered. Zoe impressed him with her attention to detail, and he appreciated her dedication to Ravens Cosmetics.
“Whatever.” Zoe pushed his chest. “I am an artist. Anyways, aren’t you forward, thinking I was going to let anything go further?”
The key word rolled off her tongue. “Let?” Will repeated.
Harlequin Kimani Romance June 2017 Box Set Page 47
