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Why hadn’t I?
I remembered so little about the actual negotiation. Derek had an attorney, of course, and I didn’t.
Somehow, I got talked into…
It was all a muddle. I tried not to think of certain times in my life, and that was one of them.
“Okay,” I finally said.
“Okay…?”
“I’ll go to the appointment.”
A wide smile lit up his face, making him even more gorgeous. “Great! Four hours for whatever you want. Hair, nails, facial, massage. You name it.”
“I’m not sure I have four hours. My call’s at three.”
“Then you can go back another time for the rest.”
“It’s all very generous of you. Thank you.”
Reid started to say something, but our server interrupted him.
“Are you ready, Mr. Wolfe?”
Reid gestured to me. “Zee?”
I quickly scanned the menu. I hadn’t really given it a look. “I’ll have the yogurt parfait, please.”
“That’s all?” Reid asked.
I smiled. “After I overate last night, it’s all I can afford today. I have to fit into my costume tonight.”
He didn’t push. “I’ll have the eggs benedict with a side of fresh fruit.”
“Very good.” The server rushed away.
After our coffee cups had been refilled, Reid’s phone buzzed. “I’m sorry. I have to take this. Do you mind?”
“Of course not.”
“Thanks. Excuse me.” He rose and walked outside the restaurant.
A few seconds later, my own phone buzzed. My stylist, Cheree. No doubt returning my call about an appointment.
I didn’t answer.
I already had an appointment.
And truth be told, I was looking forward to it.
Reid returned fifteen minutes later, and our food arrived. We didn’t talk a lot as we ate. Reid seemed preoccupied.
“Is everything okay?” I finally asked.
He swallowed his bite of food. “Nothing for you to worry about.”
“I’m not worried. I mean…you just seem a little different. Was that phone call bad news?”
“Not really.”
He didn’t sound convinced, though, and I didn’t believe him. “Can I help?”
He regarded me, his gaze serious. “Maybe.”
Uh-oh. I’d walked right into that one. He was going to ask again that I tell my story. I felt like I was going to puke all over my yogurt.
But I’d offered. “How?” I asked.
“Looks like I have to get back to New York earlier than expected. Can you come with me?”
Say what?
“No. Why would you need me to?”
“Zee,” he said, “you’re the only one who knows about my father’s extracurricular hunting activities.”
I gulped. “Yeah…but you said…”
“That I wouldn’t push. And I won’t. Neither will my brothers and sister. But something has come up in the case, and we need you now more than ever.”
“Reid, I—”
“I’m leaving this evening. I want you to come with me.”
“My show…”
“Do you have any PTO?”
“Paid time off? Yeah, but they like a little more than an hour’s notice.”
“I can take care of it for you.”
“You don’t know my director.”
He smiled. “Your director doesn’t know me.”
I had no answer for that. He was no doubt right. The Wolfes made things happen on a daily basis. He might pay off my director. We had subs who were available at a moment’s notice. This could definitely happen.
Still, I had a work ethic. This wasn’t me.
“I’m not asking you to take time off for a luxury cruise or something,” Reid continued. “This is important. My family is at stake here. One of us could go down for something we didn’t do.”
“I don’t know, Reid.”
“If you say no, I’ll let it drop,” he said. “But please, Zee. Please.”
20
Reid
“It means a flight in our private jet,” I prodded.
Then I wanted to punch myself. Money and luxury didn’t matter to Zee. A simple life where she was safe and comfortable did.
That was the weapon I needed to use.
“Look,” I said. “If you come, and we can get the other guy who hurt you behind bars, you won’t have to be afraid anymore.”
She still didn’t look up at me.
Time to give up. I cared for her, and I’d promised I wouldn’t push.
“Never mind.” I forced a smile and squeezed her hand. “I understand. I’m sorry I have to leave so soon. I was hoping we’d get to spend a little more time together.”
“I’d have liked that.”
“Me too.” I let her hand go and took a sip of coffee.
“I suppose…”
“What?”
“You don’t want me to go to the spa appointment now.”
Was she kidding? “Zee, of course I want you to go. It’s a gift. It’s nothing compared to what you’ve been through with my father. Please. Go. I want you to go.”
She nodded. “Okay. Thank you again.”
“Don’t mention it.”
“When are you leaving?”
“This evening. Five p.m.”
She nodded again.
If you change your mind… The words hovered on the tip of my tongue. I wanted her to change her mind, but not for the reasons she was thinking.
I wanted more time with Zee. Wanted to get to know her better.
Wanted to get her into bed, for sure, but if that didn’t happen, I was okay. I actually didn’t mind the idea of going slowly with her.
