Tinseltown (8 page)

“Hey.” She offered him a genuine smile.

“Hey. How are you feeling?” He stepped in and shut the door behind him.

Deb rolled her eyes. “A little worse by the hour, but I’ll be fine.”

“Man, I’m sorry. Anything you need? Your mom is making lunch downstairs if you’re feeling up to a sandwich and some chips. Salt might make your throat feel better.”

She frowned. “How did you know my throat was sore?”

Zach shrugged. “Not only does it usually come with the territory when you’re getting a cold, you’re also talking like you’ve got a cotton ball stuck in your throat.”

“Ha! Thanks a lot.”

He came forward a few more steps. “So you need anything?”

Deb shrugged. “Not at the moment. Tell Mom to hold off on the food for me for another hour or so. I’m not very hungry right now.”

“Sure.”

Deb watched him standing there with such uncertainty in his eyes. Her heart lurched. Zach Sparks was a man who knew himself and wasn’t unsure of anything. It made her relax somewhat, since he appeared to feel much the way she did.

He shuffled his feet. His eyes darted away from her as he sucked in his breath to speak then apparently thought better of it. A few moments later he finally said, “I’ll let you rest some more. I’ll bring up your lunch in about an hour.”

“Thanks. By the way, are my parents behaving themselves? I didn’t mean to leave you to the wolves after telling my mom about our marriage. They’re making you feel welcomed, right?”

With a nod, he said, “Absolutely. You’ve got some nice folks, Deb. You’re really lucky.”

She smiled. “I know. They’re the best… I’d love to hear about your family some time.”

At the mention of his family, an invisible wall shot up behind his eyes, just like on the plane when she’d asked about them.

“Not much to tell, especially compared to your picture-perfect family.”

Deb tilted her head to the side a bit, trying to read him, but found it was impossible. “I’d still like to hear about them. They made you who you are, Zach. They must be special people.” That sounded a little corny, even to her ears, but it was true.

His focus was on the wall behind her, on a landscape photograph her father had taken years ago. “I’ll come back up in an hour and bring lunch. Get some rest.”

Without saying anything else, he turned and left the room. Deb couldn’t help but feel cheated. Maybe later, when their relationship was on a more solid ground, she’d press him further. But for now, she made a mental note to leave him alone. It was obviously a sore subject, and he didn’t trust her enough yet to talk about it.

She could respect that… for now.

* * * *

Zach wandered through the massive Atkins home and came to the library. Since he and Deb’s father had forged a bond of some sort, he knew he wouldn’t mind if he stepped inside, maybe to find Deb some reading material. The thing was, he had no clue what Deb might like to read… or even if she read. Some husband he was. But someone in their profession had to have some sort of appreciation for the arts. Half of the movies made were based on novels.

Scouring the titles lining the wall from floor to ceiling, set in mahogany shelving, he liked the family’s taste. Most were classics, but there were a few newer mysteries and thrillers, and a small section of romance novels, which he prayed belonged to Deb’s mother. Grinning, he pictured his father-in-law curled up in front of the fireplace, reading Danielle Steel.

At the end of the room was a large L-shaped desk, complete with a computer and printer. The dark wood of the desk and the matching leather of the chair gave this room an elegant, classic feel. Even though this house was much bigger than he’d ever want for himself, the decoration was impeccable.

Coming to the far wall beside the desk, he found an extensive collection of DVDs, and an idea jumped into his head. When he’d entered Deb’s room, she had been watching some boring news channel. He was sure she would appreciate a movie or two. He grabbed two of each genre, realizing he didn’t know what she liked.

“Here, let me give you some pointers.” Marie walked in, smiling in a motherly way. “She’s mostly into classics.”

“Thanks,” he said, relieved yet cautious at her unwavering gaze. “I just realized we haven’t really talked about our favorite movies yet.”

“Funny since you
make
movies, huh? Oh, yeah.” She chuckled daintily. “And you’re married. How long did you two see each other before getting married?”

“Uh…” He tried to think. His days had been running together lately. He decided to keep it real. “Not long. A few weeks. Mainly just hanging out after work when we weren’t exhausted.”

“And you never got around to talking about your favorite movies?” Marie’s gentle eyes showed genuine surprise, but she looked away from him and picked up
Casablanca
. “Here, this is one of her favorites.”

He liked the movie but second-guessed his idea to stay and watch them now.

“Thanks.”

“This one, too.” She handed her the newer version of
The Count of Monte Cristo
starring Jim Caviezel.

“Really? What a surprise.”

“She’s full of them,” Marie said. “But I think it’s because she’s always had a thing for the actor.”

“Really?” He grinned. “I’ll have to give her a hard time about it.”

“My work here is done. I came looking for you to tell you her lunch is on the counter in the kitchen, if you’d like to take it up. Tell her I’ll be up to check on her a little later. I haven’t wanted to disturb her all day so I’ve kept away.”

“Sure.”

Marie turned to go but Zach called out to her. “Thanks, ma’am.”

“Call me Marie. I have a feeling you’d better get comfortable around us. You’ll be staying a while.” Casting a knowing look in his direction, she exited the room.

Even having Deb’s mother, the person who knew her better than anyone, insinuate they would make it didn’t help him feel better about their situation. Deb was a million miles away from him. He wasn’t sure how to bring her any closer without scaring her, either.

Shaking his head and taking a deep breath, he clutched the movies close, grabbed the food from the kitchen, and headed up the stairs to do some bonding with his favorite actress.

Inside was a pitiful sight. Deb perched on top of the bed, leaning against a mountain of pillows. Around her, a blanket of used tissues littered the bed, and her hair was starting to look greasy. Her eyes were watery when she looked at him as he walked in. At first, he thought she had been crying, but he quickly realized her cold had set in full force.

“I think the congestion has arrived,” she said nasally, an endearing grin lighting her face.

“I’d say so.”

Zach set her food on the coffee table and grabbed the trash bin across the room. He picked up a few of the tissues she had obviously tried to throw in and missed by a good foot. Without hesitation, he walked over to the bed and put all the tissues, what seemed like hundreds of them, in the trash can and set it next to the bed.

When he looked up at her, she stared at him with a blank expression.

“What?”

“You just picked up my snot rags.”

“Yeah, so?”

“No one’s ever picked up my snot rags, not even my mother.”

He grinned. “I’m just trying to help.” He left out the part where he’d had to clean up after his parents, day in and day out, because of their sloppiness. It just came as second nature to him to keep things tidy.

“Thank you,” she whispered. This time tears did come to her eyes. “Man, these watery eyes are the pits. I feel like I’ve been crying all day.”

She didn’t fool him. Those watery eyes really were from emotional tears, but he let it slide. “Here.” He moved her food over to the bed. “Eat up. I’ll be right back.”

He raced down the stairs and asked Marie for some cold medicine. There was no way Deb could rest tonight without any. When he got a cold, he drugged himself up so he could get a good night’s rest.

Once the medication was in his hand, Marie squeezed his arm and told him how hard it was to get medicine down Deb. “She won’t take it,” she warned. “Deb has been stubborn about medicine, since the day she was born. She says she doesn’t want to put anything in her body unless it’s necessary.”

Zach grinned. “I’m pretty stubborn too, and she needs it. We’ll see who wins.”

And Zach intended to. When he entered, he extended the pills in front of him, palm up. “Take ’em.”

“You got me cold medicine?” There was the watery eye business again. Man, either he was doing something really right or really wrong. Now if could just figure out which.

“Yeah. You’re miserable so… down the hatch.”

Deb looked at the pills as if she was terrified of them. “I don’t usually take medicine when I’m sick unless I have to.”

“I consider this a ‘have to’ situation. Here.” He took a step closer and held them under her nose.

“I don’t know…” She frowned.

“Look, I don’t want to be lying in my cold, lonely bed tonight, thinking of how you’re tossing and turning because you can’t sleep. Believe me, it won’t be good.”

Deb slowly took the pills and looked up at him. “Why?”

“Because.” He perched on the side of the bed near her knees. “I might be tempted to come in and see how you’re doing and if there’s anything you need.”

Her eyes darted to his and she quickly popped the pills in her mouth, swallowing them down. “I get it, I get it. But just for the record, it’s not even mid-afternoon. I don’t think this is going to help me tonight.”

“Yes it will, because you’re taking another dose in six hours.”

Deb shook her head. “I feel too bad to argue.”

Zach smiled triumphantly. “There’s my girl.”

Walking over to where he’d laid the movies down when he’d entered, he grabbed them and held them up. “Are you up for a movie or two?”

Considering the pills he had just given her, she’d be out like a light in an hour tops, but it didn’t mean they couldn’t spend some time together beforehand.

“Sounds great. What did you bring?”

After he named them, she asked, “Did my mother tell you about my obsession with Jim?”

He nodded. “Absolutely, and don’t think I’m not going to give you a hard time about him. He’s a friend of mine, you know.”

Deb looked momentarily stunned. “Great,” she finally mumbled. “I’m going to kill my mother.”

“Don’t worry about it. He’s a good guy. But he’s seeing someone, so I guess you’re still stuck with me.” He grinned and winked at her playfully, and she rolled her eyes in response.

“Yippee,” she said flatly, causing him to laugh.

“So which is it?” he asked.

“I have to pick Jim.” She smiled. “It’s not even a competition.”

Zach smiled. “Good. I haven’t seen this one yet, so I’m curious to see my buddy in action.”

“Don’t keep reminding me.” Deb laughed and covered her face. Then, she looked up as if something had just dawned on her. “Are you staying?”

“Absolutely. If you don’t mind.”

Deb hesitated for a heartbeat, but she smiled. “I’d love it. It’s been a boring day. I could use a little company.”

But she clearly didn’t expect him, after putting the movie in, to walk over to the bed and plop down on top of it. Her eyes rounded and her mouth fell slightly open, giving away her surprise. She also tensed when he pulled her into his arms.

Zach was pleased when she relaxed against him.

One of her perfectly manicured hands came to rest on his chest. He felt like he’d just won the lottery.

Chapter 7

Deb didn’t remember much after the movie began. One minute she was watching her favorite actor on screen, the next she woke after dark, still in Zach’s arms. The TV played softly, casting dancing shadows all around her. Her mind felt muddled, and she remembered the medicine Zach had given her to help her rest better.

Glancing up at Zach, she saw he slept, his head cocked at an uncomfortable angle and his lips pouty from sleep. He looked like a little boy lying there. His arms were still wrapped around her, and she felt safe. The realization made her panic, if only for a moment. Zach was a nice guy; he had proved it to her over and over again, but he wasn’t what she wanted, at least not for life.

So why did things feel so wonderful? Why was she looking forward to the future since Zach had come into her life?

She ached to lean over and kiss him awake, but when she moved, his eyes opened and although half asleep, he looked directly at her.

“I think I drooled on you,” was all she could think to say at the moment. She pointed to the wet spot on his shirt sitting just below his nipple.

He gave her a lopsided grin and glanced down at it. “That’s what happens when you have a cold and can’t breathe. How do you feel?”

Now, as Deb thought about it, she did feel remarkably better. Her head wasn’t nearly as congested and her sore throat felt relieved. The constant need to cough was gone. She was, however, still drowsy from the medicine.

“Better,” she said with a slight smile. “But I’m still pretty drunk.”

“Well, we know what happens when you get drunk,” Zach said. He sat up and stretched his neck as Deb moved away.

She didn’t try to hide her grin. “I bet you’ve got a kink the size of Texas, huh? You didn’t look like you were sleeping very comfortably.”

“I was, but the kink is definitely there.” He massaged it but Deb shooed his hands away.

“Let me.” She moved behind him on her knees. “I get massages once a month so I have an idea what’ll make it feel better.” When Deb’s fingers touched his warm skin, the jolt made her head spin. This was something a wife would do for her husband, not something that happened between two people who were almost enemies. Of course they did seem to be settling their differences lately.

“Deb, something tells me you have no idea what will make me feel better,” he murmured and groaned at her touch.

She hesitated, knowing what he insinuated. Zach would get what he wanted only if he played by her rules.

Leaning forward, she put her lips so close to his ear, goose bumps rose on his neck. “I know exactly what you need, and you’re going to have to do a lot more than bring me breakfast in bed to get it.”