For nick, p.13
For Nick, page 13
It was time to let down his defenses and let her into his life completely and vice versa. He’d never felt more sure about anything. It was time to get personal…more personal than they already were. For the first time he understood his grandfather’s desires for him. He was right. He hadn’t been living till now, till Andie entered his life.
So what if they’d originally gotten together due to a ridiculous business arrangement. There’d been absolutely nothing business-like between them since the very beginning. He’d known early on that Andie was someone special. Since the moment she’d held pepper spray on him, in fact.
Zach took the elevator down to the parking garage in record time. He jumped into his car and peeled out, making his tires squeal. He wasn’t sure he could catch her. He’d sat there dwelling on the issue for much too long. There was a chance she hadn’t gotten far. The street was dotted with traffic lights and was always rather congested at this time of day. Of course, he had no idea which way she had gone. He took a short cut, one that put him way ahead of the other cars on the main street and—he struck gold—there she was, about four cars in front of him. He stayed back, following her slowly for the next forty-minutes wondering what he was doing. This seemed so wrong, so deceitful. She’d offered to tell him about her life many times. He’d turned her down every time. He knew it was something between them, a wedge, if you will. There was a part of her he didn’t know and he suddenly wanted to know everything. He wanted to beg her to stay with him after their preposterous contract was up. When he was old and gray he wanted this to be a story he told to their grandchildren. He wanted to tell Andie how much he loved her and see her eyes widen with pleasure. Andie’s car merged onto the freeway and he kept a safe distance, feeling like a jerk. He should just ask her. Instead, here he was following her like a suspicious, jealous husband. What if she was mad when he told her what he’d done? By the way, I followed you today. I wanted to know where you go every day. No, I didn’t think of just asking you, even though you’ve offered to tell me on several occasions. How would she react to this behavior?
She’d roll her eyes at him, that’s what. Then she’d throw her arms around him and kiss him the way she always does. No one had ever kissed him the way Andie did. What did Robert call it…scandalous? Yeah, it was scandalous, that and downright indecent.
It was fantastic.
She exited the freeway and they followed a long city road for a while. They were getting into a neighborhood he’d never ventured into before. It was rundown and unkempt. Where on earth was she going? They weaved in and out through some residential streets and then she pulled over next to a row of old, ramshackle townhomes.
Zach felt numb as he pulled over, a clear view of her car available through a maze of trees. He watched her begin to go up the walk.
A man ran out of the house and took Andie in his arms. He twirled her around in the air and held her close to him. They walked into the home with their arms around each other. Zach couldn’t believe his eyes, as a matter of fact he wouldn’t have believed it if it hadn’t happened before his very eyes.
Zach was frozen. He couldn’t move, he couldn’t think. He stared straight ahead and for several minutes had no reaction whatsoever. Slowly, reality began to sink in. His jaw clenched and his teeth gritted together He waited for the next hour, staring intently, waiting to see her exit the house.
She never came out.
One hour turned into two. Images wafted about his mind that left him feeling cold, detached, and remote.
Andie was cheating on him.
All this time, she’d been playing him. She’d completely double-crossed him and he’d fallen for her…hook, line, and sinker. How could she have done it? How could she two-time him like this?
He’d given Andie a million bucks. Her personal cause was a poverty-stricken lover. I wonder what kind of whopper she would’ve told me if I’d ever let her tell me the so-called truth about her personal life?
He had no one to blame but himself. He’d fallen into her trap easily, disgustingly easy. She’d played the helpless little maiden in distress and he’d jumped in to save her every time, whisking her away from an awful apartment, buying her a car, keeping her bank account nice and full. What an idiot I am. He’d given her three months of his life, three of the best months of his life, or so he’d thought. Now he realized it was all a big, fat lie. It wasn’t as if he needed to have anything explained to him, he knew exactly what was going on.
She’d made him feel as if it was all about him. She probably thinks she can get more out of me. That must be what this is all about. Money.
Didn’t it always come down to money? Isn’t that really why he was in this mess in the first place? Zach sat eerily still as these thoughts wandered through his mind. This was the last thing he would have suspected her capable of. She was a good little actress.
But I’m on to you adorable Andie. And you’re not so adorable anymore.
So now, the question is: what am I going to do about it? Confront her, tell her I know what kind of a woman she is and throw her out of my house? That passes as option number one. Tempting, very tempting. But I need a wife for one year or Drake Enterprises will be lost. I’m not willing to lose my company. If I bide my time, I’ll have what I want.
So that’s it. Maybe he had to keep Andie as his wife, but he didn’t have to enjoy it.
It’s over.
Zach put the car into gear and slowly drove away, feeling entirely removed from the situation.
-15-
Zach entered the dining room that evening with about ten other people in tow. He’d planned it this way on purpose and it was a good thing too. His eyes widened at the sight that met him. Andie was making every effort to impress tonight. The lights were low and a candlelight dinner waited on the table. A beautifully wrapped gift sat next to his plate. And there she stood in classy lingerie. Her smile was genuine, and she looked stunning.
Now that he knew what she was, the whole set-up screamed guilt.
“Zach, we forgot you were a newlywed.”
Laughter erupted behind him. “Is this what you come home to every night, you lucky son of a gun?”
“Please meet me in my office while I have a few words with my wife.” The group wandered off.
“Yeah, sure Zach. We’ll wait while you have words with your wife.” Chuckling followed the group down the hallway.
Zach faced Andie with ice in his heart. He’d never come home to anything like this in his life.
“I’m sorry, Zach. I didn’t know we were having company.”
“I’m having an all-nighter, I’m afraid. We need to complete some reports and it needs to be done tonight. It happens on occasion. I forgot all about our dinner,” he lied, as if it had meant nothing to him.
A flutter of disappointment crossed her features. “That’s okay. We’ll do it another night.”
Now she was the sweet and forgiving wife. And he was a fool.
“Would you like to open your present?” she asked. “It will just take a minute.”
“I don’t need you to buy me anything, Andie,” he said bluntly. “I’d prefer you didn’t, it’s not as if this is a real marriage, after all.”
When his words registered, her smile faded, as did the light in her eyes.
“Oh,” she said in her whisper soft voice.
He felt as if he’d just squished a particularly annoying bug with his fist. It was so easy to devastate her. One carefully worded sentence and she was dust.
Then he remembered she was just a really good actress. This was all a farce and she was playing mind games with him.
“Zach, are you all right?”
“Yeah, it’s gonna be a long night, that’s all.” He ran a hand through his hair tiredly. It would be so easy to let himself forget what he’d seen today, to ignore it and pretend it didn’t happen. Living in a fantasy world suddenly appealed. Ignorance really is bliss. Her fake compassion was pulling him in and he had to resist. “Would you mind asking Mrs. Barnes to make us some sandwiches? I’m sure everyone’s hungry.”
“I’ll do it. Let me change first.”
“I didn’t pay you to be the cook, Andie.”
She paled at his cruel words, her eyes staring into his long and hard.
“I-I really don’t mind helping.”
She turned to leave and he knew by the expression on her face that he’d struck home. If she didn’t suspect it was over yet, his next stab would remove any doubt. “Oh, by the way, Andie,” Zach started. She paused, but didn’t look at him. “You’ve been looking a little worn-out lately.” Entertaining two men will have a way of doing that to you. “I think it’s best if you sleep in your own bed for awhile.”
She glanced up at him then, unable to hide the shock in her expression. Once again, she held his eyes for several seconds, as if searching his face for any trace of empathy. When she found none, her eyes blinked heavily. “That’s…thoughtful of you,” she remarked politely, a slight frown to her features as she quickly retreated upstairs.
It was four in the morning by the time he made his way upstairs to get some sleep. Other than when he’d been out of town, it was the first night they hadn’t made love since their honeymoon had begun. It was harder than he thought it would be. She’d looked so beautiful as she’d passed around a huge platter of sandwiches for his employees. He didn’t acknowledge her once and he knew by the look on her face that his lack of attention had been duly noted. She’d charmed every man in the room with her smile and soft voice. Several of them commented on how lucky he was to have such a wonderful wife.
If they only knew.
Throwing caution to the wind, he peeked in Andie’s room to check on her. She was lying on her stomach, sprawled the wrong way across the bed, fully dressed. It was evidence that she was bothered by the events of the evening.
He placed a blanket on her tenderly, knowing his feelings towards her couldn’t disappear in one afternoon and accepting it. Her hair fanned out to one side and her face was highlighted by the soft moonlight, making her look beautiful…angelic. She tossed in her sleep and mumbled the words, “Nick…Nick…”
Zach saw red. He left the room vowing that Andrea Parker was nothing to him.
Nothing.
Andie awoke early the next morning, wanting to see Zach. An unfamiliar blanket covered her and this warmed her heart. Zach must have placed it on her. Since he hadn’t opened his present, she’d left it on his bed, hoping he would open it when he retired for the night. It was important that he learn the news of their child. She’d been sure he would be in here waking her up after he opened it. What was he thinking? Was he happy? Maybe he just hadn’t wanted to disturb her and was waiting for her to wake up.
She was still in her clothes, now quite rumpled, so she showered, dressed quickly, and then knocked on Zach’s door. She could hear sounds coming from his room and hoped his mood had improved since last night—although having to work all night would’ve left her feeling out of sorts too. She understood his surliness, but she’d never seen him so…irritated before. It was a little unsettling. Andie was sure she’d read too much into his comments on a night when he was clearly in a bad mood. Time to forgive and move on. Zach opened the door, pajama pants slung low on his hips and a towel around his neck.
“Good morning,” she said with a smile.
“Hey.” He didn’t smile.
“Did you open the present?”
His face was blank. “No, it was a late night.”
“Oh, of course. Do you want to open it now?”
“I’ll open it later, I’m running late.”
He was tired, running late, and still in the ghastly mood from last night. Now wasn’t the time. “Okay.” He held the door close to him, leaving no room for her to enter. “Can I come in?” she asked hesitantly. He didn’t exactly appear welcoming. “I can help you get ready or…”
“Not today,” he interrupted. “I’m in a hurry. I didn’t get much sleep and I got up late.”
“Oh, of course. Can I do anything for you? Get you some breakfast or…”
“No. Nothing.”
No entry into the ‘inner sanctum’ today. Andie felt as though he was closing her out of his life. He was acting so…distant, so remote.
“Yeah, actually, you know what? There is one thing you can do for me.”
“What is it?” She perked up.
“I need you to tell me something. What was your husband’s name?”
“What?” she asked with confusion.
“Your husband, you know, the one before me?” he said sarcastically.
“What?” she said again, wondering why he was suddenly acting so antagonistic.
He moved closer, hard eyes intent on her face. “It’s a simple question, Andie. Is it really that hard to remember the name of the man you were married to? You never talk about him. What was his name?”
“Zach, what’s wrong with you?”
“What was his name, Andie? Tell me his name!”
His voice grew louder and more demanding. He was scaring her. Why was he acting like this?
“Jack…his name was Jack,” she whispered.
He scoffed and backed up, looking repelled by her very existence. “Interesting,” he said coolly. “You’ve been talking in your sleep. You really ought to be more careful…” Zach retreated to his bedroom and slammed his door without a backward glance.
It took her a second to catch her breath. Talking in her sleep? Had she said Jack’s name in her sleep? How very odd. She hardly thought about Jack, she was obsessed with Nick. It would be the worst kind of injustice for Zach to believe she was longing for Jack and not for him. She’d dismissed Jack from her mind years ago. The memories were too painful, and too bitter…but they came anyway, crashing down upon her in waves…
Jack was a dreamer.
Andie fell in love with him anyway. She was a very young, naïve eighteen year old at the time. Having just lost her parents, she was extremely vulnerable to his charms. He made her look at the world through his eyes, and he made everything seem exciting and possible.
Jack wanted to build his own home in the mountains, far away from the merest hint of civilization. He had detailed drawings of his dream home.
The fact that he’d never built a thing in his life never deterred him.
Jack wanted to buy land in Wyoming and own a cattle ranch. He dreamt of riding the wide, open land day by day, the wind in his face, the sun in his hair. He didn’t see the details as a problem.
Like the little tidbit that he’d never ridden a horse in his life.
Jack wanted to open a restaurant and be a chef. He loved to cook, he said. He planned out his menu, creating clever names for every dinner choice offered. He knew exactly how he wanted to decorate, what furniture and lighting he wanted to use, and he even designed a huge sign with the witty restaurant name emblazoned across it in big, bold letters.
He never let the thought that he didn’t know how to boil water enter the equation.
Regardless, Andie fell in love with his enthusiasm, with his zest for life. His excitement over a project was infectious. He was charming, witty, and golden-boy good looking.
And he never worked a day in his life.
But he had plans to. Oh, how he had plans. There was always another idea, always another plan to investigate. Get rich quick schemes were like a flame and he was the moth. He was taken in at every opportunity life had to offer, and he’d spend months planning his strategy, working out all the kinks, only to move on to the next big idea in a red hot second.
Hence, nothing ever happened. Ever.
Andie had money, thank goodness. Her parents’ life insurance money supported them, during which time she earned her college degree. Jack scoffed at college, saying it stifled his creativity.
Regardless, Andie loved him, figuring he’d settle down eventually. Every one of his schemes had huge potential, if only he would follow through with one of them.
Instead, reality hit them in a big way. Jack the Dreamer simply couldn’t cope. She knew he loved her, but that didn’t stop him from leaving, not her, just the situation, he assured, as if that made it easier.
She heard nothing from him for five months. Five months! She had no idea where he was or even if he was okay. It was as if he’d dropped off the face of the earth.
It was a cold, blustery, rainy day, the day he returned. He called on his cell from his rental car. ‘I’m trying, Andie. I’m really trying,” he’d told her repeatedly. “But I can’t do it. I just can’t do it anymore.”
Andie only remembered feeling very, very cold at his words, as if someone had just poured ice down her back. “Jack, I need you to be here right now. Do you hear me, right now! Please.”
His silent response made her angry. How could he leave her alone to face life like this? She never raised her voice, but she did this once. “Don’t bother coming home, Jack. I don’t want you here!” she yelled. She would not beg anymore.
It was then that she heard the awful screeching of tires, the sound of steel grating against steel, the piercing, high-pitched whoosh of wind and the sound of Jack yelling, inflected with fear…and then utter silence.
“JACK…JACK…” she’d screamed over and over. But he never answered.
He’d never answer anyone again.
Andie shook her head, attempting to dispel the memory of Jack from her mind.
She’d meet Zach for lunch today, after he’d had some time to cool off a bit. They needed to talk. Something was wrong and she had to know what it was. She had to apologize for saying Jack’s name in her sleep. Jack and Zach sounded very similar to each other. Surely, she’d said Zach’s name and he mistook it for Jack. If he’d just let her explain, she knew he’d understand. Maybe he was feeling jealous of Jack. If she’d said his name in her sleep, he may think she was dreaming of him or worse, pining after him. Little did he know that if she’d been dreaming of Jack, then she was having a nightmare.
She and Zach had experienced an idyllic three months together. This was just a bump in the road. All couples had them. They’d get through it and everything would return back to normal. Surely he was just exhausted after a long night. He had no idea how much she needed him in her life. She was so disturbed at their present state of unease it was all she could do just to think straight.
