For Nick (7 page)

“How to escape?” They both laughed at their peculiar thoughts and Andie found herself warming up to Zach. He wasn’t what she had expected at all. “I sometimes wonder what color people’s toothbrushes are,” she admitted sheepishly.

“I don’t even remember what color my toothbrush is. I’m not sure I can top that. But sometimes I like to ask people what their favorite word is.”

“Diaphanous,” she said immediately.

“Why?”

“It’s sounds pretty. You?”

“Fortuitous. I love when good things happen in life unexpectedly, things that surprise you. It’s so rare.”

“Good thought. I like that.”

“Thanks for asking. No one’s ever asked me before.”

“What do most people say?”

“That they don’t know. You gave an impressive quick answer.”

“It was the first thing that came to my mind.”

“It’s somehow telling.”

“How so?”

“Don’t know yet. But I’ll figure it out and let you know.”

Late that night, Andie lay in her bed mentally reviewing their date over and over. He certainly wasn’t predictable. She’d thought he would be egotistical, but found him to be quite the opposite. In fact, he was a little self-effacing in a sincere manner. That they came from two very different worlds was immediately obvious. That they liked each other and shared a certain camaraderie was also apparent. They’d sat for hours talking at their secluded table, well past the time they’d finished with their respective dinners, never running out of things to say. He had a quick wit about him that made her laugh, making her feel at ease. When was the last time she’d laughed? She wasn’t sure, it felt entirely foreign.

Still, as Andie reminisced on all they’d talked about, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she hardly knew him at all.

A few days later Zach called and asked Andie to meet him at his office. He sounded distant, the intimidating businessman once again. Once she arrived, he met her in the reception area. She was feeling a little out of sorts today and not in the mood to act happy. There was nothing in her life worth being happy about.

“Hello darling,” he crooned as he gave her a big bear hug. So much for intimidating. He constantly surprised her. Andie’s arms remained glued to her side as she couldn’t hide her surprise and neither could his receptionist. “Blue,” he whispered in her ear.

“What?” she asked, confused.

“My toothbrush.”

Taking her off guard, Andie couldn’t help but laugh, surprised he even remembered the conversation.

“I knew you were wondering,” he said with a wink.

He then took her around the office, introducing her to several of his employees.

“Dave, I’d like you to meet Andie,” he said. He stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her possessively. She tried to smile at Dave, but Zach’s arms around her left her feeling stiff. She wasn’t expecting this. Several more awkward introductions ensued.

Finally, he took her to his office, closed the door, locked it…and turned on her.

“Quit looking so alarmed every time I touch you. We’re supposed to be so crazy for each other that we can hardly wait to tie the knot. It doesn’t work if you jump every time I touch you.”

Her heart was with Nick. Zach’s touch did make her jump, but not for the reasons he thought. He felt good. She liked being at his side and she liked his touch just a little too much. She came right back at him. “Maybe if you’d given me heads up that you were going to behave as
Romeo
today I would’ve been prepared. You can’t just spring that on me! You have to give me time to get used to your touch.”

Eyes glaring, there was absolute silence between them for several heartbeats before they started to laugh. Somehow Zach brought laughter into her life, and it felt good.

“I’m sorry, you’re right.” Zach ran his hand through his hair. “Romeo, huh?” Slowly, he moved closer, until he was only a foot away. “Okay,” he said softly. “Let’s get used to each other’s touch.”

“What do you mean?”

“Touch me.”

“What?”

“Touch me, and then I’ll touch you,” he said again, his voice like velvet.

“This is silly.”

“No it isn’t. If our marriage is to be believable, then we have to be able to touch one another without jumping. I’m not asking you to do anything indecent. Go on, touch me.” He took off his suit coat and tossed it aside. He took her hands and placed them on his chest. She could feel his heartbeat under her hand. It was not beating at a normal speed and she knew he wasn’t as calm as he tried to appear. His eyes held hers as she let her hands run down his chest to his belt, where she let her fingers rest for a moment, and then her hands traveled back up again to his shoulders where she massaged him for a second. Then she let her hands journey down his arms, and clasped her hands with his, their fingers lacing together naturally.

Zach let out his breath. “That wasn’t so bad, was it? Don’t be scared, if you initiate something, I won’t turn you away,” he whispered.

Andie did what she’d secretly always wanted to do then. She reached up and ran one hand through his hair. It was soft and thick, as she’d guessed it would be. He closed his eyes and let her do as she pleased, until her hand ran down the side of his face and cupped his cheek. He grabbed her hand rather suddenly and said, “My turn.”

She felt her knees shake as his hands held her face in his, his thumb brushing against her lips, parting them. His hands traveled down to her neck as he leaned forward and kissed her forehead softly several times. Then he wrapped his arms around her, pulled her close to him and hugged her, his hands massaging her back.

“You see, we just have to get used to each other’s touch, that’s all. We can do this, Andie.” His hands moved into her hair as he ran his fingers through her locks. She let her arms encircle his waist and hugged him tightly, closing her eyes and feeling his warmth, burying her head in his chest. He felt good, comforting. She let her hands gently run over his back. When he leaned back a little, she tilted her head up to look at him and in that moment their eyes met and held. For a fleeting second, Andie wondered if he was going to kiss her—a light flutter of a kiss, just so they would be used to the ‘feel’ of each other.

Instead a voice on his intercom interrupted them. “Mr. Drake?”

They didn’t move and he didn’t attempt to place his lips on hers.

Finally, Zach reached over and pressed a button, “Yes.”

“Your two-o-clock is here.”

“Thank you, I’ll be right out.”

They separated, but their eyes still held one another’s. For the first time since she’d met him, Zach seemed at a loss for words.

“I’ll see you later, then.”

Andie nodded. She didn’t trust herself to speak. She hadn’t expected the immediate chemistry between them.

It wasn’t awkward at all.

-6-

At last, their wedding day was upon them. She’d met with Zach several times over the past few weeks. Once for lunch at the park, once for a scenic Sunday drive, and once for a movie. Hence, she felt she knew him a little better now, making her feel as though she wasn’t marrying a total stranger. Not only that, she actually enjoyed his company. He was interesting, his conversation stimulating. He was always decent, and sometimes downright solicitous. She was beginning to feel as though she could trust him.

Andie studied her reflection in the mirror. She felt beautiful in the elegant white suit she’d purchased, in spite of the apprehension apparent in her expression. Regardless of a few enjoyable dates with Zach, in reality she was still marrying someone she hardly knew. The thought left her just a little breathless.

Zach had been more than generous. “Buy yourself a wedding dress, Andie. If you need more, say the word.”

“One thousand dollars, Zach? I don’t need that much.”

“I want you to have something nice, something you love. Please, I want you to.”

Andie gave in. She ended up finding the white suit on clearance for only one-hundred dollars, knowing it was all she needed for a courthouse wedding. Zach refused the difference, so she put it towards Nick’s needs. Zach had no idea just how much he was affecting her life for the better. Yet, she was the one getting paid for her services and supposedly helping him. Naturally, she was curious as to why he needed a wife so desperately, but assumed the reasons would manifest themselves shortly. Andie quickly learned that Zach was a self–proclaimed work-a-holic.

“I’ll be bringing a stack of pressing work to Tahoe and I recommend you bring a stack of books to pass the time. I don’t want you to feel like you have nothing to do, Andie.”

“To be honest, having nothing to do sounds kinda nice,” she told him. She had to admit, even though she’d miss Nick, she was looking forward to a relaxing week in Tahoe. She had absolutely no intention of consummating their marriage during their first week together and he obviously didn’t expect it to happen either.

Thank goodness.

Zach picked her up at her apartment wearing a pinstripe suit and sporting a red rose boutonniere. He looked devastatingly handsome and Andie found herself feeling wistful. What if Zachary Drake really loved her? What if this was a real marriage? How would she feel right now?

If only.

He handed her a bouquet of one dozen real red roses, wrapped with a satin ribbon. “Thank you, Zach. They’re beautiful.”

“And you look stunning, my adorable Andie. Shall we go get hitched?”

They laughed, her fears abated, and she hooked her arm through his as they made their way to his car. Upon arriving at the courthouse, they found Robert waiting on the front steps.

“He insisted on coming and witnessing the event,” Zach told her apologetically.

They were getting married with no fanfare and no guests, just the two of them, which suited her just fine. They waited nervously for the judge to make his appearance, hands clasped together. Robert gave them dirty looks at the show of affection, while at the same time occasionally snapping pictures of them. “Is this for evidence, Zach?” she whispered so that Robert couldn’t hear.

“How can you say such a thing? I’m sure Robert wants these pictures for sentimental reasons,” Zach whispered back and they both laughed under their breath, making Robert scowl.

Soon they stood before the judge. He had them face one another and hold hands as he married them in a solemn manner. Their eyes held each other’s and neither one of them looked away for even a second. They both whispered their “I do’s” befitting the sacredness of the occasion. Then when he pronounced them man and wife and told Zach he could now kiss the bride, Zach didn’t immediately move. He looked into her eyes for several heart-pounding moments before slowly moving in and pressing his lips to hers, softly, tenderly, and sweetly. Andie had expected a quick peck, but Zach held the kiss for much longer than expected, sealing their vows with a surprisingly heartfelt kiss. As he backed away, their eyes opened, locked on each other. She could feel the palpable bond between them, one that she felt keenly. They were now husband and wife, always and forever inextricably bound to one another because of this act, no matter what the future held. Their lives would always be intertwined. Years from now, after they’d gone their separate ways, they might run into one another on the street and smile fondly at the memories they shared of their year together.

She hoped so. She hoped the memories would be good and happy. Hopefully, neither one of them would be bitter or angry in the end. It was a sobering thought.

Robert interrupted to congratulate them and asked to speak to Zach privately for a moment. Andie waited patiently, her roses back in her hands, wondering what had just happened between them or if she was just imagining things. Of course they were filled with emotion; they’d just been joined in the sacred bonds of matrimony. She looked up to find Zach with a serious expression on his face as he nodded on occasion at Robert’s words. He glanced her way and smiled, a huge smile, and she smiled back. Then he held up his hand and opened and closed it several times to indicate a mouth that won’t stop talking. Andie laughed and Robert, without missing a beat, reached up, grabbed Zach’s hand to stop him from mocking him, and kept right on talking. He was obviously used to Zach’s sense of humor. Zach acted as though his hand was desperately trying to escape Robert’s grasp so it could speak, and Andie wondered how she’d ever found this man intimidating.

“Okay, okay, I got it. Can’t this wait till after my honeymoon?” Zach said as he grabbed Andie and headed for the door. “Don’t call me, I’ll call you,” he added with a wink to which Robert scowled.

Then as they were walking out, with Robert’s frowning face behind them, Zach said, “Don’t you want to throw your bouquet?” His expression was positively mischievous. Andie giggled. Without looking, she tossed her flowers behind her. She and Zach both turned to see a red-faced Robert holding the offending bouquet in his arms.

“Congratulations, Robert! You’re next,” Zach yelled as they ran to their car, feeling as though they were escaping a disapproving parent.

They drove to the airport and caught their flight in record time. Once in Reno, they rented a car and made the drive into Tahoe.