Chapter Two
Zach drove into the underground parking garage at the hotel, found a space, switched off the engine, and expelled a long breath.
The one positive on the horizon? With only seven days to go, it looked as though it might be a very white Christmas.
Zach got out of the car, popped the trunk, and grabbed his bag and suit. It should have taken him maybe two hours to get there, but almost four had passed since he’d left Brooklyn. The weather had worsened the closer he’d gotten to New Jersey.
Look at it this way. The wedding is pre-disastered. What else can go wrong?
Then he reconsidered. He knew next-to-nothing about the groom, his soon-to-be stepdad, other than his name, Lee.
Mom had talked about how sweet he was, how she hoped he and Zach would get along, how happy Lee made her…
They’d met earlier that year, and by August she’d announced they were getting married.
Zach had intended meeting him before the wedding day, but their paths had never crossed: Lee was a high-flying businessman who traveled a great deal, and the couple of occasions Mom had tried to organize a get-together simply hadn’t come off.
All Zach knew was that she was content. He could hear that much every time they talked on the phone.
She’d been on her own since Dad passed, and Lord knew Zach didn’t begrudge her some happiness after all those years.
She was fast approaching sixty, and it warmed his heart to know she’d have someone to share her life with.
And as for him getting along with Lee, that wasn’t important.
His mom’s future security was what mattered.
Besides, she was a good judge of character.
That might have accounted for her and Lee not waiting too long before getting hitched.
Zach couldn’t see her getting involved with an unsuitable guy.
He headed for the elevator, noting the abundance of cars already in the parking garage. Maybe all the wedding guests had had the same idea and had arrived early. Zach’s mom had asked him to get there by Thursday at the latest, ahead of the wedding the following day.
Please, God, let this all go according to plan.
When the elevator doors slid open on the first floor, the noise level struck Zach immediately. The lobby was filled with people, most of them trying to get the attention of the three receptionists who appeared harassed and frustrated as they dealt with vociferous guests.
Okay, this didn’t bode well.
Zach walked toward the desk, intending on joining one of the lines of people. His mom said Lee had made the reservation for him. But as he drew closer to the end of one line, he caught sight of a familiar figure, and cold fingers clutched his heart.
Nicholas Brent stood at the far end of reception, talking to an older man.
What the fuck?
This was beyond weird. Why wasn’t he back in Brooklyn?
Zach forgot about checking in and strode over to him, his stomach churning. As he drew nearer, Nicholas glanced in his direction, straightened, and a shiver ran through Zach.
Why is he smirking?
Then it hit him. Zach didn’t know how, but Nicholas had clearly expected him. Zach came to a halt in front of them and dropped his bag and suit to the floor.
“You got here then.” Nicholas looked smug.
It was on the tip of Zach’s tongue to blurt out “What the fuck are you doing here?” but he dialed it back. Even though Nicholas was a temporary manager, that still made him Zach’s boss.
That didn’t make Zach any less pissed—or confused as hell.
“Aren’t you supposed to be in Brooklyn?” Zach kept his tone even, although it took a supreme effort.
The older guy blinked, and gave Nicholas an inquiring glance. Nicholas’s smug smile widened. “Good to see you too. Dad, this is Zach Tate, your soon-to-be stepson. And this is my Dad, Lee Brent.”
Zach might have found it comical, the way Lee’s mouth fell open at the same time Zach’s jaw hit the floor—if it hadn’t been for the circumstances.
“Lee?” No. No. Fuck no. It couldn’t be.
Lee gaped at him. “You’re Becky’s boy? How do you know my son?”
Oh my God. This cannot be happening.
Before Zach could get a word out, Nicholas got in there first. “I’m his acting manager. He works for me.”
Zach bristled, biting back the words that were right fucking there. Excuse me? I work for the company. You’re just the Process Improvement Manager they dragged in to pull the branch into shape. And you’re not staying. He coughed, the only comment he felt able to make in the circumstances.
Lee beamed. “Wow, this is great. I was looking forward to you two meeting. God, it’s a small world, huh?”
You can say that again. Zach took Lee’s extended hand. “Pleased to meet you, sir.” His first impression was that Lee looked like a nice guy, with a shock of grey hair, twinkling eyes, and a great smile.
But he’s Nicholas’s dad. How fucked up is that?
Nicholas snickered. “You should feel honored, Dad. Even I don’t rate a ‘sir’, and I’m his boss.”
Zach gaped at him. Is he for real? Zach didn’t have dementia, did he?
Because he could remember Nicholas’s introductory speech with great clarity, the one where he’d said ‘I’m Nicholas, okay?
No need for formality. But not Nick’. That had amused Zach at the time. Obviously ‘Nick’ was a step too far.
That fucking did it. As of this moment, in Zach’s mind, he was Nick.
Zach released Lee’s hand. “I think Mom said we’re having dinner together this evening?” He avoided Nick’s gaze, focusing his attention on Lee. In fact, Zach would be doing his damnedest to avoid Nick as much as possible.
Lee nodded with obvious enthusiasm. “Yeah. Here in the hotel. Both you boys are invited. We thought it would be a pleasant way to break the ice and get to know one another. But you two already do.” He smiled.
“This is great. I had a feeling you’d get along, but still…
” He patted Nick’s arm. “At least you’ll already know this stepbrother. ”
Zach’s stomach growled. Both men glanced at him, and heat flared in his cheeks. “Sorry. I didn’t think it would take me this long to get here, and I didn’t stop to eat on the way.”
“Yeah, well, some of us listened to the traffic reports,” Nick said with that same smug smile. “I left earlier than I’d intended.”
Lee chuckled. “Yeah. And you got to the hotel precisely three minutes before Zach here.” Nick’s smile slipped a notch, and Zach grinned. He was starting to like Lee.
“Well, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll check in.” Nick bent to pick up his luggage from where it sat at his feet.
“Yeah, me too. I want to see Mom after I’ve eaten.”
Lee’s eyes shone. “She’ll like that, especially since I have some calls to make.
We’re in room 302.” Then he stilled. “Just listen to me, going on like this. I came down to meet Nick for a purpose. Now you’re here, I can tell you too.
You both saw the weather reports, right?
Most of the guests here made arrangements to get out, but apparently there were some who scoffed and said it wouldn’t be that bad.
” He grinned. “Now I bet they wished they’d listened, because it looks like it really is gonna be that bad.
Anyway, since there were quite a few guests who did leave, there are rooms available, the hotel says, but not enough for everyone, so… ” He gazed at them earnestly.
Zach had a terrible feeling about where Lee was going with this. When he and Nick blurted out in perfect synchronization, “I want my own room,” he knew Nick had had the same horrific idea.
Lee laughed. “Okay, that was funny. Sorry, boys. We told the hotel you’d share a room. It’s got two queens, so it’s not so bad. We didn’t think you’d mind in the circumstances.”
Which meant they would be assholes if they complained.
Zach gave Nick a direct glance. “That’ll be fine. Won’t it—Nick?” He took great delight in seeing Nick’s face tighten.
Nick pasted on a patently false smile. “Of course. Anything to help.”
Lee heaved a sigh of obvious relief. “Great. I’ll come with you to the check-in desk.” He peered at the lines. “Though it might take a while.” Then he smiled. “Maybe not.” Lee led them through the crowd to the front of the line where a tall man in a dark suit beckoned them.
“This is Mr. Jacobs, the manager,” Lee told them as the man placed key cards into a machine. “We’ve got a lot of guests staying this weekend, and he’s grateful for any assistance we can give.”
Mr. Jacobs placed a sheet on the marble counter for Lee to sign, then held out two cards in paper wallets. “Your keys, gentlemen.”
Zach took his, glancing at the number. “Room 411.” There seemed little point in getting upset. All it meant was he’d be spending as little time in his room as possible.
Lee rubbed his hands together briskly. “Well, I’ll let you boys get settled in.
I’ve got calls to make. I’ll see you both at dinner this evening.
” He squeezed Zach’s arm. “I’m so happy we finally get to meet.
Just sorry we couldn’t manage it before now.
Still, we’ve got the next few days together to get acquainted. ”
“You might have longer than that if the blizzard heads this way,” Nick remarked.
“Don’t you mean we?” Zach asked with a frown. Because Nick would be stuck there too.
Oh. Joy.
“Hey, if it happens, it happens.” Lee patted both their arms. “It’ll give you boys a chance to really get to know one another away from the office. After all, you’ll be related.” Then he left them at the desk.
As more people pushed in around them, Nick scowled. “Let’s go to our room.” Without waiting for Zach to respond, he marched toward the elevators.
“Sure thing, Nick,” Zach called after him.
He couldn’t miss how Nick’s shoulders tightened a little.
Zach’s head was still reeling. Related? The knowledge was only now sinking in.
And somehow Nick had known. That was enough to send him hurrying after Nick, catching up with him as the elevator doors slid open.
“Did you know about this yesterday?” he said as he stepped onto the elevator.
Nick gave him a blank look. “Excuse me?”
Zach wasn’t buying the innocent act. “When I saw you yesterday. Did you know your dad was marrying my mom?”
“I only got the good news after you left my office. That remark about Flemington got me curious, so I called my dad.”
Zach froze. “But… we were in the office for three hours after that, and you didn’t think to tell me? Why would you keep something like that to yourself?”
The elevator came to a stop and the doors slid open. “Hey, I didn’t want to spoil the surprise,” Nick said with a wide-eyed innocent stare as he stepped off.
Zach gaped. “You know what that makes you? I’ll give you a clue. It rhymes with Nick.” Now they were alone, the gloves were off.
“Did I say you could call me Nick? No, I did not.” Nick marched ahead along the hallway.
“Well, we’re not in the office now, are we, Nick? And we’re gonna be related.” That part still made him sick to his stomach. Zach could see himself missing quite a few family get-togethers in the future.
Nick ignored him. He stopped outside room 411. “This is us.” He opened the door and went in, Zach following. “So, what’s your mom like?”
“You haven’t met?”
Nick dropped his bag to the floor and laid his suit on the nearest bed. “I’ll take this one. And no, I haven’t. Although to be fair, I don’t pay a lot of attention to Dad’s wedding plans. They’ve all been kind of the same.”
“‘All’?” Zach gave Nick a puzzled glance. “How many times has he been married?” Nick ignored him and opened his bag. “How many times?” Zach repeated.
Nick sighed. “Your mom will be number six.” His eyes gleamed. “I’m surprised she didn’t mention it. I guess she must’ve had her reasons.”
Zach ignored the barb. “Six times in how many years?”
Nick shrugged. “I stopped counting. The ink is just about dry on one set of divorce papers before he files for another. His life is an endless cycle of rinse and repeat. So don’t get comfortable with the idea that you and I are going to be related for long.”
Zach glared at him. “What makes you think I want to get comfortable with it?” He dropped his luggage and headed for the door. “See you at dinner.” It looked like he couldn’t get out of that.
“Where are you going?”
Zach didn’t bother replying. As soon as the door closed behind him, he got his phone out and speed-dialed.
“Mom? I’m on my way to your room. We have to talk.”