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I shoot him a startled glance.
"I’m sure the thought crossed your mind." He holds my gaze.
"I did think about it," I concede. "But the timing didn’t feel quite right."
"When you marry me, you’ll have the chance to set that right."
I place my glass on the blanket and scowl at him. "I haven’t agreed to anything."
"You will."
"A-n-d there he is. Just when I thought we were getting along so well."
"Don’t change the topic. You were born for a political career. With your communication skills, your intelligence, your background—"
"You mean my working-class credentials will complement your privileged one and portray a more holistic dimension to the voters."
He frowns. "I meant you are a product of modern British society. You stand for everything that is right with the system. You are a role model for so many young girls. Your being by my side will send a positive message across parties."
I shake my head. "It will never work."
"Why won’t you give us a chance? Just once, why can’t you open your mind to the possibility that this could work?"
"Because…" I shake my head. "Because I can’t."
"If you mean Olly—"
"Don’t mention Olly." I rise to my feet so quickly, my head spins. I must stumble, because the next second, he’s gripping my arms and steadying me.
"You okay, Zara?"
I shake my head. "I’d like to go home now."
"Look at me." He takes me by my shoulders. "I’m sorry if I distressed you. That wasn’t my intention at all."
I glance away.
"You don’t give me much to go on. You don’t share anything with me. It’s why I keep trying to push you, even though I know it’s wrong."
When I refuse to meet his eyes, he blows out his breath. "Zara, please, I really didn’t mean to hurt you."
"And yet, you did." I turn and narrow my gaze on him. "Can we go back now, please?"
47
Hunter
"Are you sure she’s okay?" I barked down the phone.
"Are you questioning my professional judgment?" Weston growls back.
I drag my fingers through my hair, then squeeze the bridge of my nose. "No, of course not. I’m sorry I woke you up so late."
There’s a pause. "It comes with the territory," Weston finally says. "I can assure you that there’s nothing wrong with Zara’s health. As for the rest, it’s up to her when she chooses to confide in you." He cuts the call.
I stare at my screen, then place my phone down on the table. So, she’s all right. There’s nothing wrong with her. Yet, she definitely seemed to pale when she rose to her feet too quickly earlier at our impromptu picnic. And then, she got upset when I mentioned Olly. Which was a tactical mistake. But she had to have known I’d have found out about her youngest sibling’s death due to an accident when he was three years old.
She was only nineteen when he died, and she left home shortly after. I didn’t mean to bring it up, but I wanted to reassure her that whatever’s in her background that might be stopping her from considering a future with me, it doesn’t matter. I didn’t expect her to get so upset when I mentioned Olly. Which, I now realize, is understandable. Losing a sibling, especially one that young, would have been devastating for her. And I brought it up without any consideration for her feelings. After that faux pas on my part, we packed up the remnants of our picnic dinner. I dropped her off at home, made sure she locked her door behind her, and returned to my office, knowing there’d be no sleep for me tonight.
