Could it?
There was another option. It was possible Kyle had been as deeply affected by their connection as she had and found that it was too much for him to handle.
Maybe all he needed was time.
Maybe she was just a fool.
Zoe broke down into sobs at the revelation that Kyle did not love her, no matter how strong their connection, and that was the raw truth of it.
This was supposed to be one of the happiest times of her life.
She should have known better than to let Kyle back into her life.
Lesson learned.
* * *
“How are things between you and Zoe?” Nelson inquired.
“Okay, I guess.”
“Just okay?”
Kyle met his cousin’s gaze. “I care for her more than I could ever have imagined. I’m just not sure Zoe feels the same way.”
“I can’t believe you would doubt Zoe’s feelings for you,” Nelson said as he and Kyle were having breakfast in the cafeteria at RHD. “Has Zoe ever given you any reason to doubt her?”
“No, not really,” he said. “How is a relationship between us going to work?”
“You two can make this work, Kyle. Especially if it’s what you both want.”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. Right now my mind is messed up. This thing with Bailey really bothers me.”
“Your sister is safe in an unknown location and no one can get to her.”
Kyle picked up the newspaper and sighed. “Yet another article about Bailey.” He read it from beginning to end before saying, “There’s a quote in here from Zoe.”
Nelson wiped his mouth on his napkin. “What does it say?”
“She’s defending Bailey.”
“You can’t be surprised, Kyle.”
“No, I’m not. I know she really cares about my sister.”
“She also cares about you,” Nelson said. “If you don’t wise up, you may end up losing Zoe for good.”
Kyle considered Nelson’s words. A thread of guilt snaked down his spine.
He reached for the phone and dialed.
* * *
The drumbeat of rain on the balcony that had lasted most of the afternoon gradually faded to silence as Zoe worked on a new design in her office. Her stomach growled. She was so immersed in her work that she hadn’t bothered to eat lunch.
Her door was closed, a signal to her coworkers that Zoe did not want to be disturbed. Not even Jerry ventured inside unless it was an urgent matter. She appreciated that he respected her space when she was in creative mode.
Zoe picked up a couple of fabrics and held them out toward the light.
Her lips formed a smile as her eyes traveled back to the vivid purple silk in her left hand. She laid it next to a mint-green sample in ponte knit.
Zoe tacked the fabrics on her sketch.
The ringing of her cell phone pulled her away from her drawing.
When she saw Kyle’s name on the caller ID, Zoe paused. Then she answered. “Hello, Mr. Hamilton. How are you?”
He paused for a second before responding, “I’m fine. How about you?”
“I’m okay. Have you talked to Bailey?”
“Yeah. She’s feeling a lot better.”
“I’m glad that she left town,” Zoe said. “I can’t believe what the media has been saying about her, and I told them so.”
“We’re pretty sure it was the janitor. On the surveillance video, he pulled something out of his pocket—probably his cell phone—and snapped the picture of them getting Bailey out of that closet. He’s been let go, from what I’ve been told.”
“I’m really sorry your family has to go through something like this.”
“We’ll be okay,” Kyle assured her. “Zoe, I know I’ve been acting kind of weird lately, and I want to apologize.”
“I know that you’re worried about your family.”
“Thank you for being here for me. I want you to know that I appreciate it.”
Zoe frowned. “Kyle, what is this really about?”
“I know that you aren’t sure of my feelings for you, but I would like a chance to prove myself to you.”
“How do you intend to do that?” Zoe asked.
“I figure we could get things jumping by taking a private swing-dance lesson. I don’t know about you, but I’ve always wanted to learn the Lindy Hop.”
She laughed. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah. I remember you once talking about how much you loved the dances they did in the ’30s. I thought this would be a perfect way to really get to know each other.”
“That conversation happened over three or four years ago, Kyle.” Zoe was touched that he remembered, although she cursed her weakness. Once again, she was caving where Kyle Hamilton was concerned. But she just couldn’t help herself. “I have to admit, I’m curious to see you doing the Lindy Hop.”
“So is it a date?” he asked.
“Yes. It’s a date.”
After they hung up, Zoe could not concentrate on her work. She cautioned herself to keep her feelings under wraps. She would accept what Kyle offered at face value—she would not look for anything more than he was willing to give. However, it touched her deeply that he had remembered about the swing dancing. It was a very sweet gesture.
Chapter 15
“Okay, face Zoe and position your left arm,” the dance instructor told Kyle. “Very good...now make sure that your hand is at her waist.”
Zoe met his gaze and grinned. “Having fun yet?”
“I am,” Kyle said with a smile. He had hoped taking a dance lesson would be a good idea and he was pleasantly surprised to find that it was. Zoe looked as though she was having a wonderful time.
“Now bring your arm with you, which will pull her toward you.”
He glanced over at the instructor and her dance partner and imitated what they were doing.
Her eyes flashed to his. “That was so much fun,” Zoe told him after the class ended.
He savored the feel of her in his arms. To Kyle, it felt as if he’d come home—there was no other way to explain it.
“I wouldn’t mind taking another lesson,” he said.
She offered an easy smile. “Really?”
Kyle nodded. “I enjoyed it.”
She smiled up at him and he had to resist the urge to kiss her right then and there. He reminded himself that he was taking it slowly with her as he evaluated the situation.
“Can we do it again?” she asked.
“Sure.”
“I really like this side of you, Kyle.”
He smiled. “I’m glad.”
For a moment, Kyle saw a flash of uncertainty on Zoe’s face, and he wondered if Zoe could read him so well that she could sense his doubt.
The thought unnerved him.
* * *
“You look like you had a good time,” Liora commented when Zoe entered their apartment.
“I did,” Zoe said with a grin. “Kyle and I had a private dance lesson. We learned how to do the Lindy Hop.”
“Really? How did it go?”
She laughed. “We realized that the Lindy Hop is not a dance we can learn with just one lesson. We’re going to have a few more sessions.”
“I never would’ve thought a man like Kyle Hamilton would do something like that. He must really be crazy about you.”
“I’m sure he did it just to get my attention, Liora. I have to admit that it worked like a charm.”
“Are you going out with him again?”
Zoe nodded. “I must be out of my mind, huh?”
“No, I don’t think so. I think you and Kyle need to see where this goes. It’s obvious that you two ca
re for each other. Just have fun, Zoe.”
“I’m not sure what Kyle really wants, but I’m not going to worry about it,” she said. “I’m just going to take this one day at a time and enjoy the ride.”
* * *
Zoe had asked Kyle to meet her at her favorite indie bookstore. Kyle walked inside and glanced around at the rare and vintage photography books, looking for her.
“Thanks for meeting me here,” Zoe said. “I love to come here for inspiration.” She wanted to share this special place with him.
Kyle picked up a book. “New York Sex, 1979–1985. Interesting.”
She laughed. “Out of all of the books in the bookstore, you would find that one interesting.”
“It aroused my curiosity,” he murmured as he turned the pages.
Zoe glanced over to peer at the page he was reading. Heat rose to her face. The image was a vivid reminder of what had happened between them in the supply room.
He glanced in her direction.
She cleared her throat noisily. “I can’t believe you’re still holding that book.”
Kyle gave her a mischievous grin. “I think I’m going to buy it. It’s given me a lot of inspiration.”
“Keep your voice down,” she whispered.
He burst into laughter. “You’re actually blushing.”
She gave him a playful punch on the arm. “I think we should go over there and check out those books.”
“What kind are they?” Kyle wanted to know.
“Religious books. I’m sure we can find a couple of bibles.”
They both laughed.
“I was thinking that we could have dinner at Jason’s Kitchen and Wine Bar.”
“Sounds good,” Zoe said.
They left the bookstore forty-five minutes later.
“We’d like to be seated in the back of the dining room,” Kyle told the maître d’. Zoe glanced at him, clearly picking up on the fact that he wanted to sit in the more intimate section of the restaurant.
A round of laughter sounded from a nearby table. She gave him a tiny smile before saying, “Sounds like they’re having a good time.”
“Yeah,” he agreed.
The waiter arrived and they ordered. Kyle noticed that Zoe looked strangely nervous. The depth of tenderness washing through him took his breath away. He had never been able to classify this thing he had for her. But now as his gaze locked on hers as he sat in the restaurant, the truth seemed so obvious he couldn’t believe he’d so stupidly missed it.
He was in love with her.
Kyle wasn’t sure how or when it had happened.
He sighed.
He never saw this coming.
And yet it made more sense than anything else in the whole world.
* * *
Zoe hummed softly as she removed her clothes and padded barefoot into the bath. Tonight couldn’t have been more perfect.
She released a soft sigh of pleasure as the hot, soothing water ran down her body. Zoe closed her eyes as her tension melted away.
She could hear her cell phone ringing when she stepped out of the bath. Zoe quickly wrapped a fluffy towel around her and then ran to answer her phone.
By the time she got to the dresser, the caller had hung up.
It was an unidentified number.
Whoever it was did not bother to leave a voice message.
Zoe dried off and slipped into a pair of cotton pajama pants and a camisole top. She climbed into her bed and pulled out her iPad to go over her calendar. Jerry had called a meeting for ten in the morning. Good, I can sleep in tomorrow, she thought to herself.
She glanced over at the sketch pad on her nightstand. Zoe loved all of her designs, but these were not for Guava and not for those who could afford haute-couture fashions. She remembered all too well what it was like to grow up without the money to spend on the styles of clothing she wanted to wear. Zoe had eventually begun sewing her own outfits. She was able to earn money by making clothes for her friends, as well.
It had always been a dream of hers to create a collection of affordable fashions. Zoe hoped to one day have her own label, but that would never happen as long as she stayed with Guava. For now Zoe was content—she was not looking to leave. However, if the opportunity ever offered itself...she would leave Guava and strike out on her own.
* * *
“Where’s Zoe?” Jerry inquired when Sasha strolled into his office. “Did you tell her that the meeting was moved up an hour?”
“I called her at home last night and left a message,” Sasha said smoothly. In truth, Sasha had called Zoe’s cell phone...but did not leave a message. She’d never had any intention of leaving a message, actually.
“Then why isn’t she here?”
“I don’t know,” Sasha replied. She handed him her phone. “See, I called her right after I talked to you.” Zoe’s number was in her call log—solid proof that no one could refute. “She’s probably somewhere with Kyle,” Sasha announced. “I told you that she couldn’t be trusted. Zoe and Kyle have gotten pretty close, in case you haven’t noticed.”
“Yes, Sasha, I’ve noticed, thank you,” Jerry said caustically.
Sasha gave him a smug look. “She’s been spending a lot of time with him. I heard her on the phone making plans for dinner yesterday. I think she’s getting ready to jump ship and go back to RHD.”
“I’ve had it with Kyle Hamilton,” Jerry said. “He’ll do whatever he can to try to convince her to return to RHD, but Zoe’s too smart for that. You’re wrong, Sasha. Zoe would never leave Guava.”
Jerry’s words angered Sasha. She was sick and tired of him defending Zoe. “Women will do anything for love. Zoe’s feelings for Kyle can only mean trouble for us—unless you get rid of her.”
He shook his head. “We need her, Sasha.”
“For what?” she questioned. “We have other designers with talent.”
“None come close to Zoe. Myself included. We have no chance of a real collection without Zoe.” Jerry’s hands curled into fists.
“We don’t need her, Jerry,” Sasha insisted.
Jerry didn’t seem to hear her. He met Sasha’s gaze. “I need you to do something for me.”
“What is it?”
“Right now there is a lot of attention on Bailey Hamilton. We need to change the focus.”
Sasha gave Jerry a delighted grin. “Exactly what did you have in mind?”
* * *
The meeting was in full swing by the time Zoe arrived. Confused, she eased into the conference room and dropped down into an empty chair.
“Zoe, I’m glad you finally decided to grace us with your presence,” Jerry said.
“I thought the meeting was at ten,” she said. “I wasn’t aware that the time had changed.”
She glanced at Sasha, remembered the phone call from the night before and knew instantly what had happened.
Sasha was supposed to let her know of the time change but had conveniently not left her a message.
After the meeting, Zoe walked up to Jerry and said, “I’m sorry for being late. I would’ve been here if I’d known about the change in time.”
“Sasha called you last night and left you a message.”
Zoe gave Jerry a look. “She may have called, but she didn’t leave a message.”
“I don’t understand why she’d call you and not leave a message,” he said. “That just doesn’t make sense.”
“Jerry, I received a called from a blocked number and no message was left. I have no reason to lie.”
“How was dinner with Kyle?” he asked.
“Excuse me?”
“Your dinner with Kyle. How was it?”
Zoe folded her arms. “How do you know Kyle and I had
dinner?”
“I hear that you two are a couple now.”
Zoe refused to say a word.
“He’s just using you, Zoe. I hope that you know that.”
“Jerry, I’m not about to have this discussion with you.”
“I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
Zoe, furious, turned on her heel and went in search of Sasha.
“I’m tired of the childish games, Sasha,” Zoe said when she confronted the woman in the break room. “What have I done to you?”
“You exist,” she said coolly.
“And you’re going to have to get over it. Face it, Sasha. I’m not going anywhere.”
“I don’t know. You keep missing important meetings or appointments.”
“You are sorely testing me,” Zoe warned.
“Poor Zoe,” Sasha cooed sarcastically. “I guess we’ll just have to see what happens.”
Chapter 16
Sasha trembled with anger as she walked away from Zoe.
Everyone thought Zoe was sweet and innocent, but she knew better. Sasha knew that Zoe was only at Guava until she could get a better offer—she had no company loyalty. If she did, then she would not be associating with the likes of Kyle Hamilton.
How could Jerry put up with this? If it were me, I would have fired Zoe a long time ago.
He was probably blinded by his infatuation.
Whenever Sasha mentioned his feelings for Zoe, Jerry would deny them, but she wasn’t a fool. She saw the way he looked at her. Everyone did.
It was the same way that he used to look at Sasha. Although Jerry had kicked her to the curb, she was still very loyal to him. She had a plan for her future and she knew that he could help her achieve her goals—it was why she put up with him.
A small part of her loved Jerry and it bothered her to see him fawn over Zoe. Sasha was not delusional, though. She knew that Jerry loved himself more than anyone else in the world. She could deal with that. But she could not deal with Zoe Sinclair taking up all the glory.
It was time someone put the witch in her place.
Sasha burst into Jerry’s office. “We need to talk. I’ve had a change of heart.”
* * *
She had no defense against him.
Styles of Seduction Page 12