Chapter One
Zachary Tate paused at the door to Nicholas Brent’s office and took a deep breath.
Remember, you’re not the one being an asshole—he is.
Zach was still at a loss to work out what he’d done to warrant his boss’s instant dislike.
Hell, the guy had only stepped in as Process Improvement Manager in September.
He’d had everyone into his office, one at a time, for an “informal chat”.
Not that Zach had been fooled by that for an instant.
Everybody knew the branch was long overdue for an overhaul, and if what Zach heard on the company grapevine was true, Nicholas Brent was the man to do it.
The sole light on the horizon was that he wouldn’t be staying.
He’d made that obvious. His task was to come in, tighten up procedures, whip them all into shape, then move on to wherever his skills were required.
Nicholas Brent definitely had skills. Too bad dealing with people wasn’t one of them.
What is his problem with me?
From the start, it had been obvious that something about Zach rubbed Nicholas the wrong way.
His coworkers didn’t merit the same treatment—that was for damn sure.
Not that Nicholas appeared to have favorites.
He kept himself to himself, he didn’t indulge in idle chat, and he’d made it obvious he wasn’t there to win friends.
But at least Zach’s coworkers didn’t get frosty looks.
They didn’t get blanked every time Nicholas strolled through the office.
It didn’t matter what great ideas Zach proposed in the weekly meetings. It didn’t matter how good his figures were. Nothing he did earned him any accolades from Nicholas, or even the slightest hint of a thaw. After almost four months, Zach had given up trying to create a good impression.
What made it worse? Nicholas was drop-dead gorgeous. Not to mention hot as fuck. And very, very straight.
Maybe that was at the root of the problem.
It was no secret around the branch that Zach was gay, and no one had an issue with it.
Is that it? Is Nicholas a raving homophobe?
Except that theory didn’t hold water. Penny in Accounts was married to Debra, even had a photo of them on their wedding day on her desk, and she didn’t get the same shit Zach did.
Does Nicholas even know she’s a lesbian? Or is it simply something about me?
He was prevaricating, and he knew it.
Zach knocked on the door, and opened it when he heard the quiet “Come in.” Nicholas sat behind his desk, peering at his monitor, a sheaf of papers spread over his desk. He glanced up as Zach approached, and fuck, Zach could almost see the shutters come down.
Nicholas dropped his pen onto the papers and leaned back in his chair. “Something I can do for you, Mr. Tate?” He laced his long, slim fingers.
Yeah, asshole. You could use my goddamn first name, like you do with everyone else around here. It was the closest Nicholas got to resembling a decent human being.
What made it all the more painful was that he was such a gorgeous human being. Fine, high cheekbones, immaculately styled hair, flawless skin, carefully sculpted eyebrows, a chiseled jaw, brown eyes…
Why do you have to be so hot?
Zach cleared his throat. “Just wanted to give you a heads-up. I have two days’ vacation coming, starting tomorrow. I booked it months ago. I can forward you the approval email, if you’d like.”
Nicholas scowled. “Two days? And you’re mentioning it now?”
Zach’s stomach clenched. “Like I said, it’s been arranged for months. I only realized today that you might not be aware of it.”
“But we’ve so much to do here. And it’s almost Christmas.”
Zach fought to keep a lid on his annoyance. “It’s a family thing. A wedding.” He wasn’t giving Nicholas any more than that. It was none of his business anyhow.
Nicholas arched his eyebrows. “A wedding? This weekend? I hope it’s not taking place anywhere near here. You have seen the weather forecasts, haven’t you?”
Zach had seen them, all right. He’d be lucky to make it across to New Jersey before the blizzard hit. “Yeah, well, I don’t think anyone could have predicted this.” The experts couldn’t make up their minds whether it was going to hit Florida and then head out into the Atlantic, or veer northward.
Zach had his fingers crossed for the Atlantic.
Nicholas punched keys and peered at his monitor.
“Well, if the blizzard they’re predicting materializes, everyone will get a few days off.
” He glanced at Zach with a tight smile.
“Not just you.” He cleared his throat. “Thank you for informing me, though as a heads-up, more notice would be appreciated in the future. And yes, please forward me the email.” Nicholas picked up his pen and resumed his task.
Apparently they were done.
Zach turned and headed for the door. ‘Have a great time. Hope it’s a good wedding.’ Jerk. Asshole. As he reached for the handle, Nicholas coughed.
“You didn’t say whose wedding it is.”
Zach gazed at him blankly. “Oh. Didn’t I? It’s my mom’s.”
Nicholas blinked. “I see.” His gaze flickered toward the window, through which the ominous signs of impending meteorological disaster were visible.
It already looked bad out there. Snow had begun falling, but those clouds promised a whole lot more where that came from.
What trees Zach could see were swaying in the rising winds.
Nicholas turned his head toward Zach. “Hopefully it’s happening someplace far from here. ”
Zach struggled to overcome the shock of Nicholas saying something that wasn’t loaded with implied barbs.
“No such luck. Not that I have anything against Floridians, but I hope they get the brunt of it.” He shook his head.
“Because if it heads north, this is going to be one disaster of a wedding.” Zach rolled his eyes.
“I know it’s my mom’s hometown, but you’d think she could’ve picked somewhere a little more exotic to get married.
I mean, who in the hell gets hitched in Flemington, New Jersey? ” And with that, he was out of there.
At least he didn’t have to see Nicholas Brent for the next four days. He’d put up with a blizzard for that.
It took a second or two for Zach’s words to register. Nick gaped at the door.
What the fuck? No way.
It couldn’t be. It just couldn’t.
The simplest thing would have been to chase after Zach and grill him, but Nick wasn’t about to do that, in case it really did turn out to be a coincidence. That left one option.
Nick picked up his phone and speed-dialed.
Dad answered after four or five rings. “Bad timing, Nick. I’m in the middle of an emergency.”
Nick’s heart raced. “What’s wrong?” Several scenarios flitted through his head: heart attack, accident, the wedding was off…
That last one was wishful thinking and he knew it. Nothing could stop his dad once his mind was made up. And besides, Nick knew nothing about the next Mrs. Brent. He was probably being unfair.
But he doubted it.
A wry chuckle eased Nick’s rising panic. “I’m at the tailor’s. The damn suit doesn’t fit. They’re letting it out a little.” Dad coughed. “Seems I’ve put on a bit of weight since they measured me for it.”
Relief flooded through him. “You know what, Dad? You’re going to have to find a better coping mechanism for your stress. One of these days, you won’t be able to shed those extra pounds. Except… wait a minute—you never did.”
Dad snorted. “Ha ha, yeah right.”
“Hey, I’ve got an idea. Maybe not getting remarried all the time might be a good first step.” He smiled to himself. “At least it would cut down on all the cake you eat.”
“Yeah, you’re a regular comedian. I’m splitting my sides here. I don’t think Jerry Seinfeld’s gonna have a rival anytime soon though.”
Nick didn’t want to discuss his dad’s current weight problem, however. “Can we talk?”
“Can it wait? I’ll be seeing you tomorrow, for God’s sake. That’s if you’re still gonna be my best man.”
Nick huffed. “I was there for numbers two, three, four and five, wasn’t I?
” Not that he expected Wife number six to last longer than any of her predecessors, especially if she was his dad’s usual type—vacuous, gold-digging, young…
Except if I’m right—Please, God, let me be wrong—Dad’s changed things up a little.
If it really was Zach’s mom marrying his dad, she’d have to be older than the rest of the bimbos.
But it’s not her. It can’t be. Because if that were true, Zach would’ve said something, right?
Zach couldn’t keep quiet about a thing like that.
Nick cursed himself for not paying more attention when his dad chatted about his future bride.
“Then what’s so urgent that it can’t wait? Look, if it’s about the blizzard, I can’t do anything about that. If it comes our way, so be it. We’ll make the best of it.”
Nick took a breath. “This woman you’re marrying—”
“Becky,” Dad interjected. “Her name’s Becky. Which I believe I told you months ago. Nice to know how little attention you pay to our conversations.” Fuck, he sounded pissed.
It was on the tip of Nick’s tongue. Oh come on. She’s going to be your sixth wife. I stopped paying attention to your wedding plans after number four. “It slipped my mind, all right?”
“So you’re telling me you’re gonna have a new stepmother, and you can’t even be bothered to remember her name?” A heavy sigh filled Nick’s ear.
“Then tell me now. Becky what?”
Please don’t let it be Tate. Please don’t let it be Tate. Please don’t let it be Tate.
“Becky Tate. Not that she’s gonna be that after Friday.”
Nick’s stomach roiled. “Has she got any kids?” There had to be lots of women with that surname, right? It was clutching-at-straws time.
“She’s got one son. Zach. Come to think of it, I might not have told you about him.” Dad coughed. “I didn’t think you’d be interested.”
Nick was interested now. “You never did say why you chose Flemington for the wedding.” Not that he needed to hear anymore. It was all adding up to one big, fucking mess.
“Becky was born there. I know it’s not a swanky town, and there’s only one decent hotel.
But the courthouse where the service takes place is kinda pretty.
And she really wanted it to be there. What can I tell ya?
I can’t say no to her.” There was a pause.
“Look, Nick… this is important to me, okay? She’s… she’s not like the others.”
“You said that about numbers four and five,” Nick reminded him.
Another pause. “Are you gonna be pissy about this?”
Nick swallowed. Apparently, he’d hit a nerve.
“Sorry, Dad. But… do you blame me? I’ve watched you go through this four times since we lost Mom, and every time you swear you’re madly in love, this one’s for keeps…
And then I watch it all fall to pieces when you realize they’re only after one thing—your money. ”
“Not Becky.” Dad’s voice hardened. “She’s not like that.”
“Just like Sarah wasn’t, or Eloise, or Jennifer…” Nick’s chest tightened. “Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe six really is your lucky number.”
“Wait till you meet her.” Dad’s voice brimmed with confidence. “I can’t tell you anything about her son, because we’ve never met. But she says I’ll like him. She talks about him a lot.” He lowered his voice. “You two might have something in common, by the sound of it.”
“Me and Becky?” Nick knew he was being deliberately obtuse. He had an awful feeling he knew what his dad was about to say.
“Nah, you and Zach. Although… maybe I shouldn’t say. That’s not right. He should be the one to tell you. Forget I said anything.”
Nick didn’t need to hear anymore. He already knew Zach was gay. Then it hit him, so hard that he couldn’t breathe for a second or two.
He’s going to be my stepbrother.
No. No. No.
Nick did not want another stepbrother, and definitely not one who made his heart pound like it did every time he came within three feet of Nick.
The last four months had been torture. Nick wasn’t out for a reason.
I don’t want all and sundry knowing my business.
I’m not staying around. Plus, I’m here to get a job done, not make friends.
Not that Nick wanted Zach to be his friend.
He had something a whole lot more carnal in mind.
“So when do you think you’ll get over here?” Dad’s question broke through.
“It depends on the weather. I’ll try to get there as soon as I can.” Providing the Holland Tunnel wasn’t suffering its usual delays.
“Well, when you arrive at the hotel, give me a call before you check in? There’s something I need to tell you.”
“What? Tell me now.”
“Sorry, but I really need to go. These damn pins are sticking into me. Tomorrow, okay?” Dad disconnected.
Nick put his phone down on the desk.
This is not happening.
He glanced at the door. The thought of chasing Zach and bringing him up to speed crossed his mind for all of a nanosecond before he dismissed it.
His dad had just thrown him for a loop, and Nick did not like that at all.
He was good at what he did for a reason.
Nick called the shots, Nick was the one in control—and that control was slipping away from him.
His single consolation was that he had a jump on Zach—he knew what was coming.
He could only imagine how much of a shock this whole mess was going to be for Zach. And Nick wanted to be there to see his face when he found out.
Maybe I need to leave a little earlier than I planned.