For Nick (20 page)

Instead he was now a constant source of anxiety.

After sitting in the bathroom for at least ten minutes before feeling well enough to leave, Andie opened the bathroom door to find Robert waiting outside for her. His face actually showed concern for her well-being.

“Can I speak with you?”

“Okay,” Andie said unsteadily. Her hands wouldn’t stop shaking and she felt as though she’d faint at any given minute. She followed Robert to his office and he asked her to take a seat, whereupon he handed her a cold soda.

“Maybe this will help,” he said kindly.

Andie sipped at it precariously, unsure how her sensitive stomach would respond. Thank goodness, the carbonation had a calming effect and settled the rising nausea.

“Are you okay?”

It was on the tip of her tongue to say she was fine, but then she opted for honesty and replied, “No, not really.”

“What happened between you and Zach?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Did you have a fight?”

“No.”

“Look, I can’t help you if you won’t speak to me.”

Andie debated with herself about just how much she wanted to tell Robert. He wasn’t on her side, he was on Zach’s, and she’d do well to remember that. However, his sudden kindness and concern was sucking her in. “I don’t know what happened, Robert. All I know is that he no longer wants anything to do with me.” Her eyes blinked heavily. “I think he might be in love with Camille.”

“No, that’s not possible.”

“Where is he
right now
?”

“Point taken. But he’s not happy
right now
. He’s been a bear to work for lately, growling at everyone and grumpy as hell. It’s not like him. He’s known for being an excellent boss and easy to work for. Something’s wrong. I’d lay odds on it.”

“I can’t help you. I don’t know myself. But just so you know, I’m not giving up on him. We shared something, I know we did. I’m not sure why he wants it to end, but I intend on finding out why.” Her voice cracked on the final sentence, revealing the depth of her emotion.

Robert smiled at her. “You’re good for him, Andie. I’ve never seen him so happy. Regardless of the unconventional methods that brought the two of you together, even I could see how much in love you were. He needs you, whether he wants to admit it or not. Camille is not the one for him, too much baggage, and frankly, if there was something between them it would’ve happened years ago. Besides, the woman eats tacks for breakfast.”

Andie couldn’t hide a small smile and Robert winked at her. “Thank you, Robert.”

Andie left then, feeling as though she had an ally in Robert and wondering how on earth that had ever happened. The universe was completely turned upside down.

When Andie stepped off the bus late that evening, it was pouring down rain. The city of Portland was used to rain, but it usually came in a constant never-ending drizzle, not the deluge they were experiencing tonight. Her heart was heavy and she didn’t feel like running, so she walked slowly through the downpour, letting the rain soak her thoroughly. She felt sick as a dog and her weariness showed in her step. Zach’s words this afternoon had been like knives to her heart. She was so confused. She didn’t know what to think anymore. Her happiness rested in Nick’s hands, it always had. She never should have let herself hope for something more.

But another life was involved now. There was much more at stake here than Zach knew. This baby meant the world to her—absolutely everything.

By the time she arrived at Zach’s home, she was entirely soaked. Her car had been returned and sat in the driveway, mocking her. She slowly and dismally walked into the house, shivering, and pulling the hair out from her eyes. The sight that met her was one she would not soon forget. Zach and Camille were walking down the stairs together, her arm draped across his shoulder. Zach was laughing at something she said. What were they doing upstairs? They stopped rather suddenly when they saw her, in Andie’s mind looking guilty.

“Andie, you’re soaking wet!” Camille exclaimed, stating the obvious.

Andie said nothing as she stood there shivering. Her teeth chattered and huge water droplets fell onto the floor.

“I’ll get some towels,” Zach said as he ran back up the stairs. He came back down with the towels and wrapped them around her. Slowly, he towel dried her hair and wiped the water from her face. “Go get into some warm clothes. I’ll make hot chocolate,” he said quietly.

Andie nodded and slowly walked up the stairs, drained of energy. She continued to shiver as she changed into some sweats and her warmest sweater, feeling as though she couldn’t get warm. She was chilled to the bone. A knock on the door startled her.

It was Zach. “I’ve started a fire downstairs. Come and sit by it for awhile,” he invited.

“Thank you.” As he turned to leave, she asked, “Zach, did you open your present?”

A flash of irritation crossed his features. “No, not yet.”

It was clear he didn’t intend to open it any time in the near future. He was shutting her out of his life just as quickly as she had joined it.

When she arrived downstairs he wrapped a blanket around her and brought her the hot chocolate. She felt like a little child who’d been caught playing in the rain and needed an adult to help her recover from her foolishness. Rigidly, she placed herself on the couch while Zach and Camille sat on the loveseat together. She should stand up and demand to know what was going on. She should yell, rant, and rave as a proper wife would at the sight of her husband with another woman. But she had no idea where she stood. There was no precedent to follow. How did one behave in this kind of situation?

Andie gulped down the hot chocolate quickly, letting it warm her from the inside. She lay down on the couch, wrapping the blanket around herself tightly. In spite of everything, a cold feeling settled in the pit of her stomach that had nothing to do with the temperature. Her eyes were suddenly very heavy and she fell fast asleep to the sounds of Zach and Camille talking quietly, her heart breaking in her chest.

I need Nick
…
I need Nick
.

-17-

Andie arrived at Zach’s office feeling nervous and tense. He’d asked her to come and meet him this time, therefore she wouldn’t be turned away or politely asked to leave. Thank goodness. Finally he was willing to talk this out with her. What a relief.

She’d gone to his office every day for the last two weeks in an attempt to talk to him, only to be met with rejection each time. She wasn’t sure what had happened between them, she only knew that he was now backing out and distancing himself from her. Fool that she was, she refused to give up on him. They’d shared something special and she wasn’t about to accept that he felt nothing for her. She’d fallen for Zachary Drake the hardest she’d ever fallen for a man. She was so in love with him, it hurt. It was a slap in the face to realize she’d only been a pleasant diversion. They had foolishly started a physical relationship on their honeymoon. He’d never once said he was falling in love with her. She’d jumped to conclusions, mistaking physical love for real love. The weird thing was he’d never given her an explanation, no words of apology, no attempts at euphemisms—nothing. They were just over. It was all so abrupt and she didn’t understand.

Irritation seemed to be his primary emotion. It seemed to be directed at her, as if she was the one who had done something wrong. In truth, she just wanted to be with him, to love him, to have a family with him. Surely, he knew she was falling in love with him…

Oh.

Of course he knew. That’s why he was ending things, before they went too far, before it became a much dreaded
romantic entanglement.

She was such an idiot.

He was spending more and more time with Camille. The thought struck her that Zach had married her impetuously when he was really in love with another woman, in spite of his denial. Perhaps Andie’s role all along was to create enough jealousy to bring Camille back to him. It wasn’t exactly business related, as he’d stated. Personal business, perhaps.

He’d specifically requested loyalty on both of their parts for the duration of the year. The problem was she could hardly complain. She’d received her end of the bargain. He could do whatever he wanted and she had to put up with it. He was not what he’d seemed at all. Of course, she guessed she’d never really known him. She’d been paid a million dollars for this year with him. It was never expected that she have an affair with him, it had been completely of her own free will and choice. He’d been honest about that.

In spite of having a car, she had no money for gas. The bus rides were beginning to get to her. The money Zach had put in her bank account was gone; it had to go to Nick. She didn’t have a choice in the matter. She still had the credit card though, in case of emergency. She counted her coins religiously just to be able to ride the bus.

Things were not looking good for her.

“Andie, you can go in now,” Mrs. Edwards said from behind her desk. How very formal.

She was met by Robert and Zach, both looking stern. No welcoming words or small talk were offered her. Robert got right to the point.

“Ms. Parker, Mr. Drake has asked me to prepare this document and we are asking that you sign it immediately.”

She said nothing, so he went on.

“It states, simply, that you agree to never demand any further compensation than what has already been allotted to you for the contracted year. For Mr. Drake’s protection, we feel this document is necessary, given the fact that the two of you participated in a consensual physical relationship for several months, making the original document questionable. Mr. Drake is also asking that once the year is over, you agree to go back to your former name and not use the name of Drake for any purpose or reason at any time thereafter.”

Andie’s eyes flew to Zach’s. She couldn’t hide her astonishment over his requests. What must he think of her? He turned away from her and faced the window, hands in his pockets. His back was rigid with tension. Her eyes fell to the floor, burning with shame. It suddenly felt very hot in his office and she felt as though she couldn’t breathe.

“Ms. Parker, will you sign?”

Andie looked at Robert. Even now, he insisted on calling her by the name of Parker. Her dismay showed in her expression; she couldn’t hide it.

“I’m sorry, I realize this is difficult. Will you sign? Please don’t turn this into a battle.”

Andie felt the blood rush to her face and knew her cheeks were hot, evidence of extreme emotion. Why was Zach doing this to her? He wouldn’t even look at her. If she signed the paper, her baby wouldn’t be born with its father’s name.

“Andie, are you okay?” Robert asked with a compassionate tone. Turns out, he had a soft side after all. She shook her head in the negative.

What else could she do? She walked forward, grabbed the pen with shaking fingers and signed her name,
Andrea Parker Drake
, and left the office with a soft close of the door.

The office was silent for a full minute. “Did she sign, Robert?”

“Yes Zach, she signed,” Robert said with irritation.

“What’s the matter with you?” Zach asked.

“Was that really necessary?”

“Yes, I think it was.”

“Why? To make her feel about two feet high or because you really think she’s going to try and take you for all you’ve got?”

“What’s gotten into you? You’re the one who said I needed to be careful.”

Robert stood. “I’ve never known you to be cruel, Zach. The poor girl is obviously in love with you. The least you could do is be kind.”

Zach turned his back on Robert, just as he had on Andie. “You don’t know what she’s capable of.”

“That young lady isn’t capable of anything that you’re insinuating except crying a river big enough for you to drown in.” Robert left the room.

“You’re wrong, Robert. Andie doesn’t cry.” Zach said to the empty room. What kind of woman never cries? Heaven help him, he’d married a
manipulative monster
.

Take that alliteration home to your lover, Andie Parker.