Always You (A Magnolia Falls Novel) (6 page)

BOOK: Always You (A Magnolia Falls Novel)
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Diana was about to follow them when Zack said, “They’ll be alright out there. They can’t go very far.” He went behind the desk and pulled out a package of paperwork. “They are pretty much prefilled. You just need to complete the name, address and phone number fields,” he said, handing them to her.

She leaned against the counter and began filling them out. “How much do I owe you?” She asked.

“Dinner,” he replied.

She looked up at him with a raised brow. “Excuse me?”

“You owe me the dinner you promised me ten years ago, with interest I’d say you owe me somewhere around one hundred dinners.” He put his elbows on the counter between them and leaned towards her, bringing their faces close together. “I’m free Friday if you want to start chipping away at that debt.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

She stood up straight and pushed the completed forms toward him. “That should do it.” She gathered up her purse and keys she had set on the counter. “I’ll thank you now for the puppy because at two in the morning when it has me up with its whining and howling, I will be anything but thankful. In fact, I will probably be cursing you.”

She smiled, but it didn’t quite have the same flash as before, and he felt a web of disappointment she hadn’t responded the way he wanted her to. But he wasn’t planning on giving up that easily. “You’re welcome. And if you need any help at two in the morning or just want the satisfaction of knowing I’m not getting any sleep either, call me.”

“I just might do that. See you around, Zack.”

“Sure thing,” he said as she walked through the door.

She stopped, turned around, and leaned against the door jam. A smile touched the corners of her lips. “Dinner’s at seven. Don’t be late.”

Zack watched the sway of her hips as she walked away. Diana Mathison was the one person who had the power to take the bits and pieces that were left of his heart and put them back together. But this time if it broke it would probably kill him. He had barely survived losing Hannah three years ago. He hadn’t been on a date since Hannah. So the prospect of a date with Diana brought the memories of his sweet, young wife flooding back.

They had married while he was in veterinary school. She was still attending college. They were young and in love. She was, anyway. She deserved so much more than he gave her. By the time he figured it out, it was too late. A drunk driver took her from him before he could give her his whole heart. A part of it had always belonged to Diana. He called himself crazy, stupid, and insane for letting a childhood infatuation consume him, but he knew it was more than that. He had dated other woman, but when he held them in his arms all he thought about was Diana, simply for the fact they weren’t her.

He’d married Hannah out of desperation, because if anyone could make him forget Diana it was her. Only she hadn’t. She was sweet and loving and gave him all she had, all she was, and still it wasn’t enough. He was a first class bastard. He would never forgive himself, and he had no right looking for love and happiness with someone else.

But today, when he’d looked up and saw Diana leaning out the door he still felt the same spark. It had happened at her parents’ funeral as well. Holding her in his arms that day, even briefly, was almost heaven. He thought he had buried that part of himself with Hannah. He didn’t deserve what Hannah never had the chance to have. True love.

The regret washed over him, making him see clearly he would have to cancel dinner and steer clear of Diana Mathison. Granted, that would be hard to do in a small town like Magnolia Falls, but not impossible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER SIX

 

Friday night, seven p.m. and he found himself on Diana Mathison’s front porch, ringing her doorbell. He had every intention of cancelling, but Jillian and Cassidy had double teamed him, and in a weak moment, he had agreed to come. At least he didn’t have to worry about being alone with her since Jillian informed him Diana had turned it into a party, and there would be other people there. He shouldn’t be disappointed it wasn’t a date, but he was. The door opened, and he let out a sigh of relief it wasn’t Diana.

“Zachary Connelly, how is it that you get more handsome every time I see you?” Liz asked.

Zack stepped in and gave Liz a hug. “And your pictures don’t do you justice. You are much more beautiful in person.” He had long since made peace with Liz about her part in coming between him and Diana. Besides, he had realized if Diana’d had any faith and trust in him, she would have let him explain. And Liz had changed over the last few years. She had gotten softer. They had run into each other several times when they’d both been visiting Magnolia Falls, and he had gotten to know and like her.

“You say that to all the girls,” she said, taking the bottle of wine from him. “Very nice vintage.” She tucked the bottle under one arm and looped her other through Zack’s and guided him toward the back of the house. “Everyone is out back. What started as a small dinner for a few friends has turned into a circus. Diana invited half the town. So are you still carrying a torch for her?”

The abrupt question caught him completely off guard, and he brought them to a halt in the kitchen. He couldn’t formulate a smooth denial so he chose to ignore it instead. The continued on to the back yard. “You weren’t kidding, half the town is here.” Yet, amidst all these people his eyes automatically landed on Diana. She looked beautiful in a white, cotton sundress that flirted with her thighs and gold strappy sandals on her dainty feet. He swallowed hard as he let his gaze linger on her.

“I see the torch is still burning.” Liz chuckled.

He quickly looked away and turned his attention to Liz. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He had forgotten she was standing beside him, and he resisted the urge to shift back and forth on his feet.

“Sure you don’t.” She elbowed him in his side and laughed.

He was saved from having to reply when his niece came running to him. “Uncle Zacky is here!” Cassidy yelled to no one in particular.  Relief ran through him from the welcome distraction.

He scooped her up into his arms. “Nice chocolate stain,” he said, touching a spot on her shirt, which just happened to be on her belly, so he wiggled his finger tickling her. She grabbed her belly and giggled. “What are you girls up to?” he asked, setting her down next to Jessica and two yapping puppies.

“We are blowing bubbles for Kimi and Princess to chase. See.” Cassidy and Jessica blew bubbles at the dogs, and they didn’t disappoint. They jumped and ran in circles, attempting to catch every single one.

“There’s the doorbell again,” Liz said. “I leave you in good hands.” She nodded toward the girls.

“Uncle Zacky, will you take me to the movie tomorrow? It’s ‘Shrek Three.’
®
I love ‘Shrek Three.’
®
Please
.”

“If it’s okay with your mom. I’d love to take you.” Magnolia Falls didn’t have a movie theatre so the first Saturday of each month a big screen and a projector were set up in the town square while the nights were warm enough.

“It’s okay with her. She told me to ask you.”

“Ah.” If his sister was involved, something was afoot, and he didn’t have to wait long to find out what it was.

“Can Jessica come, too?” Cassidy asked.

And there it was, the setup. If he took Jessica it was very likely one of her sisters would go, too. Even though he shouldn’t, he found himself hoping it was Diana. “Sure. Let’s go ask her sister if it’s alright with her.”

“Yay!” The two girls screamed in unison as they took off running in Diana’s direction. She was talking and laughing with Jen Hardy, owner of the Chat and Chew restaurant. When the girls approached her, she squatted down to their level. He watched as she listened aptly to one, then the other, and lifted her eyes to Zack just as he walked up to them. There it was again, the electric shock factor.

“You came,” she said. She bit her lower lip, a habit he knew meant she was nervous. That was a good sign.

“Did you doubt I would?” He raised a questioning brow.

“No, I just—” she stopped and blew out a breath. “I’m glad you’re here. And it looks like these girls are trying to sucker you into taking them to a movie.”

“Who wouldn’t want to see Shrek Three?” He asked.

“Can you come with us?” Jessica pleaded.


Please
, Auntie Diana,” Cassidy said.

“I wouldn’t miss it. I love Shrek and Fiona,” she said as she ruffled the girls’ hair. “Why don’t you two go find Liz and tell her that her grilled shrimp is ready?”

The girls ran off. Zack and Diana were left looking at each other. Neither spoke.

“I think I’ll move to a safer area before I get singed by the fireworks,” Jen said.

They turned to look at her. Both had forgotten she was there. “There aren’t any fireworks, Jen,” Diana said, confused.

“Sure there are, hon. You just haven’t seen them yet.” She patted Diana’s arm and walked away.

***

Diana felt her face get hot as understanding dawned. “She didn’t mean us, did she?”

“Afraid so.” Zack’s lips twitched with barely contained amusement. “If you wanted to ask me out you didn’t have to set the girls up to do it,” he teased.

“I seem to remember you asking me to dinner,” Diana said. Did the man eat testosterone for breakfast? He looked delicious. His khaki shorts made his tan legs look lean and muscular, and with a red, button-down shirt and brown leather sandals, he looked like he was ready for a walk on the beach.

“So how did I end up at your house with you making me dinner?” He winked at her.


Touché
,” Diana said.

“However, you do have the set up part right. But it wasn’t me. It was Jillian who got the girls to set us up on a date.”

“Oh.” She suddenly felt deflated. “You don’t have to go. I can take them. I’m sure you have better things to do with your Saturday night.”

“Better than taking the three prettiest girls in town to a movie? Not a chance. Cassidy and I will pick you both up at six.”

“You do realize it will be me going, not Liz?”

“Of course,” he said, confusion marring his brow.

“You said prettiest, I thought you meant Liz,” Diana said.  He stopped walking and looked over at her. She found it hard to hold his gaze. She hated feeling vulnerable, being compared to Liz had always made her feel that way. Slowly he cupped her cheek. “I was talking about you. It’s always been you, never Liz. Got it?”

Had she ever seen that intense look in his eyes? She nodded. Message received all the way down to her toes. Jen had been right. There were fireworks, and she’d just gotten singed. He dropped his hand quickly as if he’d been burned, too.

A loud scream of joy interrupted them. They looked up to see Jillian running toward them. Zack barely had time to brace himself before she flung herself into his arms. “I was selected. I never thought they’d pick me, but I just got the call and I’m going to New York to be on the show.” Another screech and her arms were around Diana. They were jumping up and down together. She had no idea what Jillian was blabbering about, but it was obvious they were celebrating something.

“Does someone want to let me in here?” Zack asked. Diana had no idea so she lifted her shoulders and held her hands up.

“I was selected to be on ‘Battle of the Cupcakes.’ It’s being filmed in New York. I’m going to be on TV.”

“That is amazing. Congratulations.” Diana hugged her again.

“No one deserves it more than you, little sister.” Zack wrapped his arms around both of them with Jillian sandwiched in the middle. His face ended up very close to Diana’s, and their eyes locked.


Eww
.” Jillian pushed them apart. “That felt slightly incestuous. You two seriously need to get a room.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Zack ran his fingers through his hair.

Diana ignored her. “So tell us more. When do you leave? When will you be on TV?”

“I leave Sunday, and I’ll be in New York for a month. This is an amazing opportunity. The grand prize is one hundred thousand dollars. If I win, I’ll be able to open my cupcake shop right away, and think of all the publicity I’ll get on the show.”

“I’m proud of you. I have no doubt you are going to kick some cupcake butt,” Zack said.

“I’m glad you feel that way because I need you to watch Cassidy while I’m gone.”

Zack put up his hands and shook his head. “Whoa. Watching her for a couple hours and taking her to a movie is one thing. Being responsible for her for a month is another. I wouldn’t know how to take care of her. Besides, I’m too busy with the crazy hours I put in at the clinic.”

“If you don’t watch her I’ll have to turn them down,” she pouted.

“Why can’t you take her with you? I know you don’t want to be separated from her for a whole month. I’ll even pay for a nanny,” Zack said.

“School is starting Monday. She can’t miss the first few weeks of school. Besides, Diana will help you, won’t you?” She looked at Diana.

“Anything for you,” she said and meant it.

“See. Between you dear brother and my best friend, I’ll know my baby is in good hands. Now I have to go home and start packing. Bring Cassidy home later, will you?” she asked Zack.

He nodded. With another quick hug for each of them she was off.

“Gee, thanks a lot for backing me up there,” he said to Diana.

“Hey, I just promised to back you up for a whole month, although how I’m going to keep that promise I don’t know. I’m reopening my father’s firm next week so my hours may be as crazy as yours.”


Hmm
. Looks like you will need me as much as I need you.”

He squeezed her arm and walked away. Nothing had changed. She still felt jittery when she was around him. Thank goodness she had grown out of her clumsiness. When they were kids, his parents would make him follow her and Jillian everywhere, to look out for them. She’d had such a huge crush on him and became clumsy when he was around. He’d had a front row seat for all her embarrassing moments.

Zack had always been there to save her. She had been the clumsiest kid alive. The time she tipped over her kayak and fell into the lake, he’d jumped in and fished her out. At school, she was running on the track, tripped over her own feet, and landed on her face. In front of the entire football team. They would have all laughed at her if he hadn’t silenced them with a look. He was the quarterback, so his stern looks carried weight. It was Zack who had picked her up and carried her to the nurse’s office.

She had been in love with Zack for most of her life, and she had the sneaky suspicion she still was. Life in Magnolia Falls was about to get interesting.

***

Later, she finished putting Jessica to bed and went into her own room for a few ’moments' rest before heading back downstairs where their guests still lingered.
Whew
. She plopped down on her bed. Staring up at the ceiling, she remembered Zack’s words.

It’s always been you. Never Liz.

What did he mean by that? She had very quickly figured out she’d been wrong to leave on Prom night without letting him explain. She had been devastated when she saw him in Liz’s arms, her lips locked on him. Yet, all she could think was one more person had abandoned her and chosen Liz. So she’d run away. She wouldn’t take his calls, and she forbade Jillian to talk about him.

It wasn’t until a couple of years later she let Jillian tell his side of the story. She had already figured it out, but was too ashamed for not trusting him. By then it was too late for her to repair the damage.

Her cell phone rang, bringing her out of her reverie. “Hello,” she answered.

“May I speak with Diana Mathison?”

“Speaking.”

“This is Logan Collier. I just landed in Hartford, and before I check into a hotel I wanted to confirm you have decided against using my services.”

Diana sat up. “What would give you that idea?” She knew before he confirmed her suspicions.

“Your sister left me a message saying my services were no longer needed.”

“Your services are very much needed. Will you please keep our appointment tomorrow? Unfortunately, my sister is still in denial about her problem.”

“Most are at this stage, which is why I called you instead of her. I will be there tomorrow as planned.”

“Thank you,” she said before they disconnected the call. What was Liz thinking? Of course, she still needed the eating disorder coach. While she was doing slightly better, Diana was still concerned Liz didn’t eat nearly enough. Looks like another serious talk with her sister was needed.

BOOK: Always You (A Magnolia Falls Novel)
5.44Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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