by Elle E Kay
“So, you know about the marriage pact?”
“I do, and I believe he made the correct decision going through with it.”
Addison’s face warmed. “You don’t think we made a terrible mistake?”
“I’m sure you’re thinking you made a huge blunder, but don’t let your mind go there. You two belong together. You may think he married you because you were turning twenty-nine and you’d made that agreement as kids, but if you think for one second he would’ve married you based solely on a teenage pledge, you don’t know Zach half as well as I think you do.”
“I’m not sure I do know him. I know he doesn’t know me anymore.”
“That may be true, but he thinks he does, and he loves the girl he remembers. He’ll grow to love the woman.” Amy smiled warmly. “Are you ready to face the masses again?”
She grimaced “I guess if I must.” After putting her shoes back on, she stood. “Thank you for the pep-talk. I needed it. It feels like it’s been one step forward and three steps back with me and Zach.”
“I’m convinced you two will make it.”
Zach mingled with their guests, constantly searching the room for Addison, hoping she would return so he could introduce her to the rest of their guests. He couldn’t imagine where Amy had taken her that they’d been gone so long. A professional football player he’d only met briefly on one other occasion cornered him and went into a long rant about the political climate. He wondered why the man had been invited, and then remembered he was a stockholder.
A familiar voice more grating than a fork scraping on teeth broke through the droning of the ballplayer, and his stomach tightened into a hard knot. “Excuse me a moment, please.”
Turning to face Nikki, he pressed his lips into a hard line. “What are you doing here?” he asked through gritted teeth.
“Is that anyway to greet me, sugarplum?”
When he turned to scan the crowd for security, she hooked her arm through his. “I only need a moment of your time. Might we talk somewhere more private?”
He followed her through the room hoping to convince her to leave discreetly without making a big scene. She pulled him into a sitting room of sorts with couches and armchairs. It was outside the ladies' restroom, so you had to go through it to get to the restroom. “I don’t think I should be in here.”
“This will only take a moment, sugar.”
She deposited an ultrasound film in his hand. “What’s this?”
She flicked the flimsy paper. “This is our baby.”
“My baby?”
“Why do you think I kept calling?” She lifted one side of her mouth in a slow smile. “Blocking my number was a new low, even for you.”
“What makes you think the child is mine and not Greg’s?”
“He can’t have kids. He had a vasectomy.”
“Or so he told you.” He scrubbed his right hand over his face. This couldn’t be happening. He wanted children more than anything, a whole house full of them if possible, but not like this. Not with her. Then he thought of Addison. She’d never forgive him. As angry as she’d been about him not mentioning Nikki before the wedding, there was no telling how she would react over a baby. A sinking feeling in his stomach told him exactly what she’d do. She would demand an annulment.
Nikki pushed him down into a chair and climbed on top of his lap. It was at that moment, the sitting-room door banged open, and Amy and Addison walked in.
“Aren’t you excited?” Nikki simpered. “We’re having a baby!” She undid one of his shirt buttons as she spoke. He pushed her away, but it was too late. Addison was gone.
Addison stared for a second before turning and fleeing the room. Amy followed.
“You can’t trust that woman, Addy.” Amy had to run to keep up with her. “She’s a liar and a cheat.”
“He didn’t look innocent either. She was sitting in his lap.”
“I don’t think it was what it looked like.”
“How could it not be?”
“At least give him a chance to explain.”
She let out a groan. “Fine, but not here. I’m going back to the house. If he wants to talk, send him home.”
“Wait. I’ll drive you.”
“I’ll take a cab.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“You do not understand how high profile you are now, do you?”
Addison pinched the bridge of her nose, and bit down on her tongue to keep from lashing out at Amy. This wasn’t her fault.
“You’re Zachary Williams’ wife. It’s not safe for you to go anywhere alone.”
Her hands balled into fists and her fingernails dug into her palms. “I can’t live like this.”
“It’s too late to make that decision. You’re already married.” Amy tilted her head. “I’ll get us a car. I’m coming with you, it’s safer that way.”
A few minutes later, a limousine took them back to Zach’s mansion. Amy followed her to the master bedroom and made herself comfortable on a loveseat, pulling her feet up under her and taking out her phone. She tapped on the device, and Addison was certain she was messaging Zach. It didn’t matter.
She threw her belongings into a suitcase she found in the closet. He could keep the designer clothes, all she was taking was what she’d brought into the marriage.
Ten minutes later Zach walked into the room. Amy stood, picked up her heels from the floor beside her, pursed her lips, and shook her head at Zach. “Fix this.” She bit out the words.
A few minutes later Addison heard the front door close. They were alone or at least as alone as they ever would be in his enormous mansion filled with staff.
She stopped what she was doing and stared at her husband. Husband. What a joke. He was no more her husband than he was Nikki’s. And whose fault was that? How many times had she pushed him away? She blew out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
Sinking down onto the loveseat Amy had vacated, Zach whispered, “It wasn’t what it looked like.”
Her voice raised an octave, as she squeaked out, “Then what was it, Zach? I didn’t give you what you wanted soon enough, so you were going to get it elsewhere. That’s what it looked like. What exactly did I walk in on?”
“She sat on my lap as the door opened. I pushed her away, but you were gone.”
“What about the baby? I heard her say something about a baby.”
“I don’t know.” He shook his head before dropping it into his hands. “She showed me an ultrasound and claimed the child is mine.”
“Is it?”
“I can’t know that.” He lifted his head and stared at his hands.
“Did you keep the ultrasound?”
“She took it with her.”
“I’m sure it will be in the gossip columns tomorrow.”
He crossed the room and stood a few feet in front of her. “I didn’t mean for this to happen.” He fell to his knees. “You know how it is. We were planning to get married. I thought she was the one. I don’t fool around with every girl I take out despite the playboy image you claim I have.”
“No, Zach. I don’t know how it is.” Her words were barely above a whisper. “I’m not sure I can be the woman who keeps a child’s parents apart.”
“I didn’t know about the baby.” He groaned. “Please don’t leave me.”
She fell to the floor beside him and took his left hand in both of hers. Her finger traced his wedding ring. “What are we going to do?”
“We’ll get through this together if you’re willing to stay with me.” He lowered his forehead so it rested against hers. “If there is a baby and I’m the father, we’ll fight for custody.”
“You know they don’t like to take children from their mothers.”
“If I have to, I’ll show the court videos showcasing her explosive temper. She’s put on a show for the cameras around here many times since we broke up, but I’m hoping it won’t come to that
. She was cheating on me, so it could be Greg’s child.”
“I wonder how long you must wait to find out.”
“If she’ll agree to the test, we can find out now.”
“Marry her. I’ll give you an annulment, and you’ll be free to be a family.”
“I might’ve been an idiot to get involved with her, but I will not marry that vindictive woman. Don’t remind me how close I came to doing just that.”
“But she may be carrying your child. How far along is she?”
“Three months.”
“Did you truly push her away when she climbed onto your lap?”
“I did.”
“Too bad there isn’t a camera in the sitting room.”
“Don’t you trust me?”
“Against my better judgment, I trust you.” She sighed. “I believe you.”
“Will you stay with me, Addy?”
“I will.” For now.
He pulled her into a hug and held her so tightly she struggled to breathe. It was in that moment that she recognized how much she cared for him. Leaving him would tear her apart, but if he decided to try to make it work with Nikki and the baby, she would go.
Chapter 11
Z ach got to the office before seven. Amy was already at her desk. “Good morning, boss.”
He stepped around her desk. “Good morning, Ames. Do you ever sleep?”
“Of course not. Too much to do at Fractal Enterprises.” She offered a smile. “Did you fix things with Addison?”
“Yes.”
“She’s staying?”
“She is.”
She took a sip of her coffee. “I’m glad. If you let her get away, you’re a fool.”
“Don’t you think I know that?”
Her look turned harsh, and she glared at him. “What were you thinking going in the ladies' room with Nikki in the first place?”
“It wasn’t the ladies' room. It was the room beside it.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “She dragged me in there.”
She lifted one delicate eyebrow. “You’re twice her size. She couldn’t have forced you to go anywhere you didn’t want to go.”
“I didn’t want to make a scene.”
“Next time, boss, make a scene. It’ll be much less disruptive to your personal life.”
“Maybe we should get some work done instead of worrying about my love life.”
She stood and placed both of her hands on her desk leaning toward him. “I like your wife. I don’t want to see her get hurt.”
“The last thing in the world I want to do is hurt Addison.” He drummed his fingers on her desk.
“Then prove it. Make her feel like she’s the only woman in the world.”
“How do I do that?”
“You start by going home. Your honeymoon was cut short, and here you are in the office for the third day in a row. Have you taken her around and shown her the area? Does she know where to go shopping or get her hair done?”
“I was hoping you would help her with the girly stuff.”
“I will, and I’ll have fun doing so, but make an effort. Let her know how much you care about her.”
“You think I should go home?”
“I know you should unless you want her to over-think last night and be gone when you get home tonight.”
He shook his head. “Good point. I’m gone. Text me if any fires come up that you can’t put out on your own.”
“There won’t be any. Now go. Take care of your bride.”
“Ames?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks. You’re a great friend even if you are a pain in the tush.”
She pointed to the elevator. “Go!”
Addison sat on a bench in the garden. Her plans for the day were non-existent. What did the wife of a billionaire do? She thought wistfully about her job back in Wilkes-Barre and wondered if there was any possibility of continuing her work for them. She knew the answer without asking the question. If the request came from Zach, she was certain they’d let her keep working, but relying on him was out of the question. There had to be another way.
Maybe she could start one of those YouTube channel video blogs or vlogs as they were called. With such a famous husband, she was bound to get lots of hits. Only, that would be another way of using him to further her career. What could she do that wouldn’t involve him? She could go on interviews using her maiden name. That might work, until they discovered she was Zachary Williams’ wife.
She picked a flower and held it to her nose. A horticulturist she was not. Identifying flowers was beyond her limited scope. All she knew about the purple flower she held in her hand was that it was lovely. When she heard a car pull up, she smoothed her hair and strolled back into the house. Someone else would answer the door, but she wasn’t sure if they would expect her to greet the visitor.
When she heard Zach’s voice, she smiled, wondering what he’d forgotten that brought him back to the house so soon. Greeting him in the foyer, she asked, “What brings you home?”
“You.”
“Me?”
“I thought we’d spend the day together.”
“Really?” Her eyes widened, and she took a step back. “I thought you had a busy day planned at work.”
“Amy will delegate everything I had on my agenda. I’m all yours today.” She sensed Amy was behind the change of heart, and she was grateful to the other woman.
“I like your assistant. She’s something else.”
He chuckled. “Bossy. That’s what she is.”
“So, what did Amy suggest we do today?”
“She thought you might want to see the sights, do some shopping, and that kind of thing. I told her shopping sounded more her speed than mine.”
“You might be right there. I’d rather shop with Amy than you.”
“I won’t take offense.” He grinned. “I thought we’d start off the day on a trolley tour, then have lunch, and take a walk through the park.”
“You’re going to go on a touristy trolley tour?”
“I’ll pull my baseball hat down low and wear dark sunglasses. Nobody will know it’s me. It’ll be fun taking part in a tour. What do you say?”
“I’m game.”
Zach enjoyed feeling Addison’s leg pressed up against his on the trolley. He set his hand on her knee and wondered if every incidental touch registered for her as acutely as they did for him.
It had been a long while since he’d done anything touristy and it felt good to be out among people. Most of his time was spent sheltered on his grounds or in his offices. Addison rested her hand on top of his, so he laced his fingers through hers. He was rewarded with one of her heart-stopping smiles.
He whispered in her ear. “They’re about to point out our home, so try to keep a straight face.” She snuggled closer. He could definitely get used to her affectionate side. The surrounding sound seemed to fade, and everything melted away from his consciousness until all that was left was her. He felt blessed to have her for his wife. “I made reservations at Spago, but if you’d prefer to eat elsewhere, I can cancel them.”
“Can we get chili dogs somewhere?”
“Sure. I’m not sure where they serve chili dogs, but we’ll find them. I’ll text Amy. She’ll know.”
“Don’t bother Amy. I don’t care where we eat, I was only teasing knowing how healthy you Californian beach boys are.”
“I’m an Endless Mountain boy. Pennsylvania through and through.”
“Sure, you are.”
Amy had been correct, Addison had needed this outing, but so had he. He had a feeling that every second spent with his wife would bring a huge return on investment. He tucked his arm around her as they passed their gated home to the ‘oohs’ and ‘ah's’ of their fellow passengers. It wasn’t often he thought about how fortunate he was to afford such luxury. Most of the time it felt more like a fancy prison, but seeing it through their eyes gave him a different perspective.
He whispered in
Addy’s ear again “Do you know how glad I am to have you beside me?”
“No. Why don’t you tell me?”
“Maybe we should get off the trolley here and walk home.”
“I think we might get some strange looks.”
“I’m not sure how much longer I can wait to get you to myself.”
“They promised me a peek at Reese Witherspoon’s house and I’m not leaving this trolley until I see it.”
He laughed. “I’ll be happy to call her and get you a private tour.”
“No, thanks. I prefer the tourist experience.”
“Whatever makes you happy, love.”
It surprised him that she didn’t correct him, but maybe today she’d be his without over-thinking it. He’d like that.
They were still laughing when the limo dropped them off at the front door. Addison sensed Zach on the stairs behind her. When she arrived at the master bedroom, he caught up to her and leaned against the door frame. “Did you have a nice time today, love?”
“Yes. Thanks for taking the day off to spend with me.” She smiled. “Thank Amy for me, too.”
“You can thank her yourself. She’s making plans for you two to go to the spa next Saturday.”
“That’s a plan I can get behind.”
“I guess I should head to my room down the hall.”
“How long do you think we have before the staff start asking questions?”
“They’ll never ask us directly, but I’m sure they’re already talking about us amongst themselves wondering if there is trouble in paradise.” His expression grew serious. “Is there? Are we going to be okay, Addy?”
“I’m sick about this Nikki thing, but I’ll be by your side throughout it.”
“Will I ever be welcome in our bedroom?”
“Let’s take it one step at a time, okay, darling.”
He grinned. “You can call me whatever pet name you like. It won’t get under my skin like it does yours.”
“Are you sure about that, lovey dovey?”