Chapter 20 Paige
Paige
The car swings into the circular driveway of Zach’s building and I turn to Nan. Her pale blue eyes like a cloudless sky stare at me. “Darling, Zachary tells me your stay is temporary.”
Random and unexpected, her comment leaves me mute.
This is the first I’ve seen her since her return from Europe.
We went to a Rothwell Foundation meeting and I’m so grateful she was with me.
I’d been a nervous mess all day, unable to concentrate at work as I was consumed with thoughts of the impending meeting this evening.
I was the only agenda item tonight and I took the board through the budget for the gala as well as presented my proposal for a new charity.
A cause that, while worthy and fitting, would be a departure from the foundation’s past. And now, with the anxiety-riddled evening behind me, Nan wants to drill me further about Zach and our fraudulent relationship.
“Paige, did you hear me?”
“Yes, sorry.” I shake my head, fidgeting on the leather. “Yes, it’s temporary.”
Grabbing hold of my hand, she smiles. It isn’t one of happiness but more like a schoolteacher about to impart words of wisdom. “Don’t be silly. Stay. He wants you with him.”
It’s been nearly three weeks since Montreal and things have been good between us. Really good. But I’m worried about how real things feel.
“We’re dating but not living together serious.” I falter at the end because according to the world, we’ve officially slipped into coupledom.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve attended business and social events together, including visiting with my mom and Sam in between their many adventures and even a trip to New York City where we had drinks with Drew and Pippa.
And in most cases, photographers furiously snapped pictures of us.
Zach is a celebrity of sorts and I had no clue the media, or the public for that matter, cared so much about whom a billionaire was dating or shacking up with.
And while I’d like to say we’re doing an outstanding job of fooling everyone—social media, newspapers, and the gossip rags have us together as a happy couple—it’s more than that.
We are together.
Together in every way.
And I mean in every way.
Sex in Montreal wasn’t a one-off thing. As much as I’m trying desperately not to take us too seriously, trying not to believe our own hype, it’s hard.
We’re good together.
He’s good to me.
“My dear child, you’re delusional if you think you aren’t serious. I may have been away for a while, but I’ve seen the pictures of you two. And I watched my grandson at the board dinner when I first met you. He was beyond distracted.” She leans in closer, eyes boring into me.
“And Zachary isn’t easily distracted. Work has been at the center of his life for as long as I can remember.” She points her finger at me with a sly smirk. “You’re changing that and him. At the board dinner, he watched your every move.”
My heart does a strange pitter-patter as I think back to that night not too long ago. At the time, I barely knew him and now it feels like a lifetime ago. We’re in a completely different place, we’re much closer, and I never imagined it to be this way.
“And when we talk, he always mentions you without me ever having to ask.” She winks and for a split second I see her grandson.
That familiar gesture causes a ripple to run through me and now, I’m seeing things in a different light.
I wonder how much of what she’s saying has been planted by Zach. Is this his doing?
I’m no fool.
In very little time, he’s done a good job at getting his grandmother to believe we could be something.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s made it a point of talking about me each and every time he’s spoken with her.
What better way to make her think he’s head over heels in love with me? He wants her to think he’s lovestruck.
“That doesn’t mean anything.” I try to brush it off despite everything coming out of my mouth being contrary to Zach’s wishes and our deal.
Or to what I might want to be true.
Yet even to my own ears, I’m hard to believe and Nan isn’t buying it either. Her gaze drowns in skepticism. “Oh, I beg to differ. It means a hell of a lot. Zachary isn’t one to readily settle down and I worry that he never will.” She pauses, glancing out the darkly tinted car window.
“Rightly or wrongly, I’ve even tried to motivate him into thinking about or wanting to have a family of his own.
” She turns to look at me. “Because one day, things will change—I won’t be here, and he’ll have no one.
And I don’t want that for him. If I can stop that from happening in any way, shape, or form, I will. ”
Uncomfortable doesn’t begin to describe how I feel. Did she stall his trust fund all these years because of her fear of him winding up alone?
“I don’t know what to say.” I won’t lie to her any more than I already have. “I like Zach. A lot. But we’re not at a stage where we should be living together permanently. I’m here for now but what the future holds is another thing altogether.”
If Zach were here, he’d be upset with my candid comment and try to refute my words, but I hate lying. I can’t lie to her or myself.
“I understand your relationship is still new, and all I ask is for you to give it a chance. With a woman like you at his side, Zachary is capable of anything. You’ll keep him grounded while encouraging him to soar.”
Out of nowhere, tears prick at the corners of my eyes and I blink back the unwanted emotion.
The idea of a man being better or stronger with me—that my love and support could make such a difference—isn’t something I’ve ever thought about or even wanted until this sweet woman planted the idea in my mind.
And worse yet, or maybe better, I could want that with Zach. I could want that for him.
“That’s kind of you to say.” I squeeze her hand. “Thank you for your support this evening. Having you there meant a lot.”
I’m glad she’s back and I feel horrible that the relationship with her grandson is a lie. I won’t let her believe I’m going to live with him forever. I can’t swallow that bitter pill, not even for the sake of this woman’s heart or Zach’s crazy deal.
“I did nothing. I’m thrilled I was back in time to see your presentation. I knew you’d be good at this. Good for the foundation. Well done.” She plants a light kiss on my cheek.
“Thank you.”
“Do you like what you do?”
Cocking my head to the side, I study her features in the dimly lit car, unable to discern her meaning. “My job?” I ask and she nods. “Sure, it’s okay.” Even as I say the words, my tone gives away how it’s only a job to me and nothing more.
“I want you to come work for the foundation. Be our director of strategy and development.”
“What? You can’t be serious. I wouldn’t know how to do that.” Not to mention I’d have to deal with the likes of Reagan and her kind on a regular basis. I could totally handle her, even though it does get exhausting.
“Yes, you would. You’re already doing some of what would be expected in the role and I’ve been wanting to step back a bit. I’m not getting any younger, but I hadn’t found the right person.”
“And I’m the right person?”
“Yes.” She pats my hand, staring expectantly, waiting for an answer.
“What if the gala is a huge bomb? Don’t you want to wait and see how things go first?”
“No, I’ve no doubt it’ll be a huge success—better than ever—and a lot of that has to do with you.” She smiles and leans toward me. “Think about it. You will do great things and build a memorable legacy for the Rothwell Foundation.”
I open my mouth ready to say something, feeling like I should say something, while what I’m not sure, but Nan keeps talking. “Give it some thought. You could wind down the jobs you have and start when you’re ready. Just don’t say no.”
I swallow the lump forming in my throat. Her confidence in me is endearing and also nerve-wracking. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve her unwavering belief in me, but it makes me want to prove her right. To quit my job and get to work on the foundation.
“Okay. I’ll think about it—and thank you for the offer. You’ve been more than generous.”
“No more than you deserve, my dear.”
“Good night, Nan.”
“Good night, darling.”
I get out of the car and a knot grows bigger and tighter in my stomach.
I’ve got to stop overthinking our fake relationship and follow Zach’s lead.
Not all relationships last. Ours will end but I don’t have to act like I know that.
He’d say just enjoy it for what it is. And if I ignore Nan’s wishes and just look on the bright side, I’m having fun and that should be enough.
The job offer is flattering. Since Montreal, and with Nuit étoilée fast approaching, I’ve made a lot of headway on the gala and enjoyed most of it. As tempting as the role is, if I take it I’ll run into Zach even when all of this is over and I’m not so sure I could handle that.
I drop most of my things on the floor as I exit the elevator.
I’m too tired to trudge through the penthouse with my bags and not even my fake boyfriend’s distaste for my messiness will change my mind.
Besides, I barely have a chance to clean up after myself.
JP is a ninja, moving around the place cleaning and fulfilling my every whim undetected.
It’s like staying in a five-star luxury hotel and sadly, I’m being spoiled and could get used to it.
My shoes are next to go, tossed into a corner, and I release a wretched moan as my toes spring free from the stunning but torturous contraptions. Why do women do this to themselves? Forsake our comfort for beauty?
“Paige?” Zach saunters toward me in his suit sans jacket with the sleeves of his button-down shirt rolled up—mercy me. His look is tender and watchful, taking in all of me from head to toe.
“Hi.”