Bride by Mistake (11 page)

“Well, don’t get too upset. These feelings may not last. They could die down as quickly as they flared.”

Zach sighed. “These feelings have a long way to go before they die down. I’ll cut to the chase, Jeff. I kissed Liza this afternoon.”

“I see. How do you feel about that?”

“On a scale of one to ten, I’d rate that kiss at a thousand.” Zach shook his head. “This makes no sense at all. When I’m with Liza, I can hardly drag my eyes off her.”

“So what do you want to do about it?”

Zach raked a hand through his hair. Darned if he knew. He wouldn’t be sitting here talking to a shrink, even though the shrink was his close friend, if he had a clue how to handle this.

He gave Jeff’s question serious thought, then said, “The easiest thing would be to return to the status quo. The good-friends thing has worked for us for years.”

“Does Liza know you entertain different feelings?”

“Yes, she does. And the attraction is mutual.”

“Then just relax the rules a little and see what develops.”

Zach got up and paced Jeff’s posh office. “I don’t
want
anything to develop. You know how messed up my life became when Denise left.”

“I remember.”

“I honestly don’t know how to handle this, Jeff.”

“You’ll have to figure that part out yourself. But I’ll give you my opinion, friend to friend.”

“Shoot.”

“Don’t fight this change. You’ve done your share of suffering, thanks to Denise. It’s time you get past the trauma and start dating women who are genuine. Women who tell the truth, and who value you as the great person you are.”

Zach flashed a slight smile. “You aren’t going to turn all mushy, are you?”

“Wouldn’t think of it. Just give this a little more thought. Try and relax around Liza and see what happens. That’s the best advice I can offer.”

Zach nodded. “It’s worth considering. And I’ll send the check where?”

“Nowhere. Anytime you want to talk about Liza or anything else, you know I’m available.”

“Thanks, buddy.”

They shook hands and Zach left for the office. The conversation with Jeff had helped a little. At least Zach had confided his concern to another human being—something he rarely did.

His friend’s words rang in his thoughts.
It’s time you get past the trauma and start dating women who are genuine. Women who tell the truth, and who value you as the great person you are.

As he considered Jeff’s advice, Zach wasn’t sure he should take it. The pain of Denise’s deception suddenly hit him again with surprising force. While he wasn’t brooding as much as he was two years ago, the hurt still lingered and made him cautious about letting romantic feelings build out of control.

Zach knew one thing for certain. He didn’t want to fall in love again. He’d given his heart once and it cost him more than he could measure. He was still paying the price.

Zach picked up the bouquet of flowers he’d brought for Liza, climbed out of his Lexus, and rang the bell. As he stood on her porch, he felt like he was sixteen again. He gripped the flowers so tightly he’d probably squeeze the life right out of them.

Liza answered the door wearing a filmy, light-green outfit that clung to her in an enticing way. Her auburn hair curled
softly around her face and her lavender scent filled Zach’s senses. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart.

“Hello, there,” he said.

“Hello, yourself. Come in. I’ve been cooking all—” She stopped abruptly and amended the sentence. “Actually, I prepared some of the food ahead of time. And froze it,” she added as a footnote.

“I see.”

“You, um, brought flowers.”

“Yeah, I did. Since I’ve brought them before, I figure we’re still playing by the rules.”

Zach handed Liza the bouquet and felt relieved when she accepted it. His hand had grown sweaty from the intense clutching.

“They’re lovely. Come in and I’ll put them in water.”

Zach followed Liza through the condo and was relieved to see everything in place. There was no evidence of the recent pandemonium. As they passed the dining room he noticed that the table was set with a bright blue cloth, yellow dishes, and cloth napkins. Another surprise.

“What happened to the paper plates?” he teased.

“As I told you, I now watch the Cooking Channel.”

He leaned against the counter and watched Liza open one cupboard after another. After she’d banged nearly every door in the kitchen, Zach said, “Top left. Next to the fridge.”

She cast a cautious glance his way. “How do you know where my vases are?”

“I saw you get one out the last time I brought you flowers.”

She chuckled nervously. “Guess I’m on edge tonight. About cooking for you.”

“No more than I am. The last meal you fixed proved hazardous to my health.”

Liza arranged the flowers in the vase far more artistically than usual. “Really? I seem to have forgotten,” she said.

“You mean you blocked it out. After all, I ended up in the emergency room.”

Her green eyes widened in surprise. “You did not.”

“Well, I almost did. Those spicy enchiladas nearly destroyed the lining of my stomach.”

She smiled somewhat stiffly. “Well, you’re safe tonight,” she affirmed. “We’re having chicken divan with brown rice and fresh asparagus. And ambrosia for dessert.”

Zach shook his head, amazed at the changes in his friend. “Tell me the truth, Liza,” he said. “Did you really cook all this food? Or did you have it catered by World Wide Cuisine?”

Her smile relaxed a bit. “You’ll just have to trust me. Now sit down while I serve dinner.”

And serve dinner Liza did. Zach watched with amazement as she arranged the platters on the table. If he snapped a photo, this layout could make a front cover for
Better Homes and Gardens
. The delicate aromas tantalized his senses. He’d expect this experience in an upscale restaurant, not in Liza O’Malley’s kitchen!

A CD of smooth jazz played in the background, creating a dreamy atmosphere. “Where’s the classical music?” he asked. “What, no Bach or Beethoven?”

Liza planted her hands on her hips and glared. “Will you stop quizzing me, Zach Addison? If you prefer, I’ll play
The Unfinished Symphony
and fry you a hamburger.”

He held up his hands in protest. “Not necessary,” he said, realizing he’d better back off. “To be honest, the jazz is a welcome change from Mozart.”

“All right then. Now relax and enjoy your dinner.”

Zach pulled out Liza’s chair and they took their places at the table. His first bite of chicken divan tasted even better than it smelled. “Mmm,” he said. “This is fabulous. Maybe you should stop practicing law and become a chef.”

Her green eyes glistened and a smile curved her lips. “Thanks for the compliment.”

“Hey, kiddo, you earned it.”

Zach’s conversation with Jeff had encouraged him to test the waters with Liza, to try and enjoy their evolving relationship. He planned to start right after dinner. First a little hand-holding, then graduating to something more intimate. Like kissing Liza again. Just the thought made him lightheaded.

“Would you like dessert now or later?” she asked when they finished their meal.

“I’ll force myself to wait.”

Zach stood and began clearing the table. “Forget that,” Liza told him. “Let’s go into the living room. We have a lot to straighten out.”

Her mood seemed suddenly somber as she led the way and settled on the couch. When Zach started to join her, she said, “Sit over there. I want to look at you while we talk.”

Zach felt a stab of disappointment. Intimacy of any kind seemed impossible, since Liza had assigned him a seat across the room. Far out of touching range.

And the frown that creased her forehead told Zach more trouble lay ahead. He sighed. He was getting used to trouble.

Z
ACH BRACED HIMSELF
. Judging from the expression on Liza’s face, bad news was coming. And fast.

“I’m not sure I can continue as your fiancée,” she said softly. “The pretending is more difficult than I expected.”

Zach’s stomach clenched at her words. This was worse than he’d imagined. “You’re making this harder than it needs to be,” he told her.

“What do you mean?”

“As a lawyer, aren’t there times when you think your client might be asking for too much? Or taking an unfair advantage?”

She nodded.

“But you still represent that client, don’t you? And present their case in the best possible light?”

“Of course I do. That’s my job.”

“Would you say you ever manipulate the truth?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “That’s all we’re doing here, Liza. Stretching the truth a bit.”

She sniffed. “We’re not discussing my professional life, Zach. We’re talking about the pretend world you and I are creating. A world that’s spinning out of control.”

“I know I’m asking a lot, Liza, but you did agree. And things are going well. Extremely well.”

Her cheeks reddened. “For whom, Zach?”

“For Gram. You and I are helping fulfill her dream. And besides that, she thinks you’re wonderful. Since your first visit to her house, Gram’s been happier than she has in ages.”

Liza leaned forward. “But look what’s happening to us. We’re destroying our friendship in the process.”

“Maybe friendship isn’t all there is for us. Maybe we were wrong about that.”

Zach searched Liza’s face for validation. When he’d kissed her this afternoon, he knew she’d felt the same excitement he had. As Zach studied her now, he would swear the passion was still there, simmering just below the surface.

Liza looked away, stood, and began to pace. “When I agreed to help you, I didn’t know how challenging it would be. I didn’t understand that being with you, and pretending to care about you, would seem so…”

She stopped and her gaze locked with his. “So real.”

Zach stood and strode toward her. “Neither of us expected that. How could we? We’ve been buddies for years. And we both thought that would never change.” Zach shook his head. “Believe me, it’s the surprise of a lifetime.”

A frown creased Liza’s brow and her mouth pursed in a tantalizing way. Zach thought seriously about kissing her right then and there. If she melted against him the way she had this afternoon, it would prove their relationship had changed.

He gripped her shoulders. “Maybe we shouldn’t fight it. Maybe we should just run with it and see what happens.”

For several moments Liza seemed to consider his suggestion. But then she shook her head. “I can’t do that. There are too many complications. And it just isn’t right.”

A look of resolve shone from her green eyes, and her voice was firm. Authoritative. She spoke like the no-nonsense attorney she really was.

Zach stepped back. Maybe he’d been mistaken. Maybe Liza didn’t feel the passion and excitement he’d felt. Had he assumed something that wasn’t true?

“So friendship is all you want? Is that what you’re telling me?”

“Yes, Zach. That’s what I’m saying. It’s the only—”

Zach reached out and touched his fingers to Liza’s soft lips. “Don’t say any more. You’ve made yourself clear, Liza. Crystal clear. Let’s say good night and skip the ambrosia.”