The charade Liza had pulled her into had turned Meg’s world topsy-turvy. All she wanted now was to rejoin the real world. The world that didn’t include a pretend engagement. And certainly didn’t include Zach Addison.
But deep in her heart, Meg knew trouble lay ahead. Once she left Kansas City, she would miss Zach terribly. One week with the man had changed her life.
Was Liza right for once? Had Meg fallen in love with Zach? She shivered as she considered that possibility. It was hard to admit even to herself.
Eloise gazed at her with concern. “My dear, you seem tired.”
Meg forced a smile. “I guess the excitement wore me out.”
“Zachary, take your fiancée home,” Eloise said. “It’s been an emotion-packed evening for us all.”
The understatement of the century, Meg thought. “I would like to go home, Zach,” she said. “If you don’t mind driving me.”
He stood. “My pleasure.”
Meg doubted it was “his pleasure” to take her home. He’d probably dump her on the doorstep and take off running. As she’d feared, their pretend world had spiraled out of control, and she hadn’t even confessed yet. Meg sighed, knowing the worst was just ahead.
Ian’s deception seemed like child’s play compared with her own. It was way past time to reveal her true identity and tell Zach she was Meg O’Malley—Liza’s twin sister.
Zach didn’t dump Meg on the doorstep after all. He got out of the Cadillac and escorted her to the front door. A gentleman to the bitter end. And he totally surprised her when he suggested they sit on the porch swing.
They settled side by side, and Zach set the swing in motion. It squeaked, adding some sound to the otherwise silent night.
“It’s been quite an evening,” he finally said.
“Yes, it has. And I’m sorry, Zach. I should have told you about Ian’s confession last night. I know you’re angry with me.”
He shrugged. “It’ll pass. While Ian took his loyalty too far, no one got hurt in the process.”
“But you wouldn’t have proposed if you’d known.”
“That’s true. But Ian said something tonight that made me think.”
Meg’s heart beat faster as Zach spoke. She’d expected him to scold her for keeping Ian’s secret. But if she was being scolded, it didn’t feel like it. “What did Ian say?”
“That our romance wasn’t real to begin with but it became real. That’s true, Liza. We started out as friends, but we both know that changed.”
She wanted to deny his statement, but she’d be lying again.
“What we did was for Gram,” he said. “But I can’t remember when I’ve felt so happy. Or cared about a woman the way I care for you.”
Meg’s emotions hit overload. She couldn’t let him say any more. Not until he knew the truth. “Wait, Zach,” she begged, “please wait. I have something important to tell you.”
“If you’re going to deny we have feelings for each other, save your breath.”
“But—”
Before Meg could tell Zach the truth, he placed his finger over her lips. “Hush, Liza. Just hush.”
When he reached out and stroked her cheek, Meg drew a surprised breath. Then he leaned toward her and kissed her forehead. Lightly. Like the brush of a butterfly’s wing. Meg shivered with pleasure.
“Can you honestly say you don’t feel anything when I touch you?” he asked.
“But, Zach—”
“No arguments, Liza. I mean it.”
He continued caressing her cheek and his gentle touch set Meg on fire. “Ian saw through our situation quite clearly,” Zach affirmed. “Our relationship did change. I’m falling in love with you.”
All thoughts of confession vanished as she listened to Zach’s words. When he bent to kiss her, really kiss her, Meg couldn’t have pulled away if she tried. She needed this chance to feel Zach’s love. Even if it wasn’t real. Even if it wasn’t for her.
He drew her close, and Meg leaned into his strong embrace. As their lips met, she breathed in his wonderful scent. Every fiber of her being came alive when she was in Zach’s arms.
The power in his kiss defied description. It was the kind of kiss you watch in old movies, where passion shines from the actors’ eyes. Once again electricity sparked between them.
When the kiss ended, Zach trailed his fingers through Meg’s hair. His eyes shone in the soft moonlight as he studied her tenderly. “So be honest. Are we just friends?”
Meg couldn’t lie. Not again. “That was a lover’s kiss,” she said.
“I’m glad we got that settled. I love you, Liza.”
“And I love you, Zach.”
He kissed her again, gently yet passionately. Meg would forever treasure that kiss because it would be their last. What she was about to tell Zach would end this magical time and abort any future they might have shared.
“Zach, I have something to tell you.”
“Whatever it is, can’t it wait until tomorrow? Our relationship has been in such turmoil, and we finally have it right. I want to fall asleep tonight knowing I love you and you love me.”
Pain sliced through Meg’s heart. Could she postpone her confession again? The weight of pretending felt too heavy to bear.
But Zach looked so happy, so much at peace. Trust shone from his gray eyes. Genuine trust. After all they’d been through, Meg couldn’t drop another bomb on the man. Not just yet.
“When will I see you?” she asked.
“How about lunch tomorrow?”
Meg nodded as the pain in her heart intensified. “I’ll tell you then.”
“Good night, my love. Sleep well.” Zach kissed her gently. Then he walked to his car and drove away.
The swing felt empty now—as if Zach had never been there. Was this time with him just an illusion? A figment of her imagination?
She sat outside for a long time reliving their conversation. Zach loved her! While that was impossible, his love felt real. And Meg knew she loved him with all her heart.
Like Zach, she wanted to bask in the glow of that love a little longer. At lunch tomorrow she’d tell him she wasn’t Liza. Then Zach would walk away and never look back. Meg shuddered, wondering if she could bear the pain.
A surge of resentment suddenly swept through her, and she felt furious with her sister. Both Meg and Zach would end up with broken hearts thanks to Liza’s little scheme. This whole nightmare would never have happened if they’d told the truth up front. But would Liza listen to her? No. Did Liza ever listen to her? No. Meg got up and stormed into the house.
It was past midnight when she dialed Liza’s number. Meg knew Liza turned in promptly at ten, but she couldn’t care less. “I’m resigning as your sister,” she said when Liza answered the phone. “Find someone else.”
“Is that you, Meg? Have you lost your mind?” Liza mumbled.
“I’ve lost everything—my identity, my life, and quite possibly my mind. I’ve made up so many stories even I don’t recognize the truth. I barely remember who I am.”
Liza yawned. “Then let me tell you. You’re my identical twin sister. And I’ve matched you to your perfect man.”
“You mean you tricked him into falling in love. But it’s you Zach loves, not me.”
“Wrong. Zach sees me as a kid sister. That’s all I’ve ever been to him.”
“Oh, Liza. Things get worse every minute. Tonight Zach said he’s in love with me.”
Liza had the audacity to giggle. “See, I told you. I played Cupid, and now you two will end up married.” Her sister had the nerve to gloat. Meg almost hung up on her.
“You can’t fall in love with someone you don’t really know. And Zach doesn’t know the real me.”
“Did he propose?”
“He announced our fake engagement at Eloise’s party. There’s a big difference. But I am wearing a huge diamond on the third finger of my left hand.” Meg could have cried as she gazed at the gorgeous piece of jewelry that didn’t belong
to her.
“Meg, that’s awesome. Tell me everything.”
So she did, realizing her life had become a soap opera run rampant. It didn’t contain a grain of truth.
“Congratulations, sis. What did Zach say when you told him about our little switch?”
“I tried to tell him again tonight, and this time Zach stopped me. Liza, I’ve lost total control of my life.”
“Can’t you see the bright side? This turn of events has benefits.”
“Like what?”
“Zach’s grandmother isn’t sick.”
“True. That makes me very happy. But you said benefits. As in plural.”
The line went silent. Meg could picture Liza with a contemplative look on her face. Since it was midnight, her twin’s brain processed information at a slower rate of speed.
“Well?”
“I’m thinking. How about this? After you and Zach straighten things out, you can begin a real relationship. With no pressure.”
“Do you honestly think he’ll trust me once he knows? Zach endured enough trickery from Denise to last him a lifetime.”
“But this is different. Denise took advantage of him from the moment they met. She did nothing but plot against him.”
“And what about me? I’ve done nothing but lie to him.”
The situation suddenly overwhelmed Meg. She’d painted herself into a corner, and she couldn’t escape. “I’ve got to go, Liza,” she said. “I can’t think about this anymore tonight.”
“So what’s your game plan?”
“I’ll see Zach at lunch tomorrow and tell him the truth. Then I’ll pack my bags and come home. And don’t you ever, ever ask me to impersonate you again, Liza O’Malley. Is that perfectly clear?”
Her twin sighed. “Yes, Meg. It’s perfectly clear.”
Early the next morning Zach pounded on Liza’s front door. No way could he wait until lunchtime to see her. While it was only seven thirty, Liza got up earlier than anyone on the planet. The woman finished her exercise routine before most folks hit their snooze buttons.
Zach paced the front porch, waiting for Liza to appear. He couldn’t wait to see her dressed in those svelte workout clothes with every hair miraculously in place. Even after a workout.
Excitement coursed through him. Last night he and Liza had confessed their love for each other. Liza—the woman he’d thought of as his kid sister—was the woman he loved.
And it felt wonderful! It felt right. Zach had never expected to fall in love again—certainly not with his best friend.
He pounded again. He couldn’t wait another moment to see her and to hold her in his arms.
After what seemed an eternity, the front door opened a crack and a homeless woman peered out. Wrapped in a tattered chenille robe, the woman had mascara smeared beneath her eyes. Every hair on her head pointed in a different direction. When she saw him, her mouth dropped open. Zach took a step back, wondering if he was at the wrong house.
“Zachary?”
He recognized the voice. “Liza? Is that you in there?”
“Course it’s me.”
The words sounded garbled. Zach stared at the woman, trying to turn the personage into Liza, but he couldn’t quite manage.
“Guess I came over too early. You’ve usually finished your workout by now.”
“What workout?” she mumbled.
“I take it you overslept.”
“Um, right. Overslept.”
“May I come in?”
Liza’s eyebrows shot higher than the Empire State Building. “Now? Like this?” She tried to finger comb her hair into place without the least bit of success.
“Yes, now. Like that. I’ve got to see you.”
She opened the door just enough for him to wriggle through.
“Got to clean up. Sit down.” Liza seemed incapable of forming a complete sentence.
As she turned to head for the bathroom, Zach grabbed her hand. “Liza, I was up all night thinking about you. About us. I’m exhausted and I need to talk to you this minute.”
She shrugged, then sank obediently onto the couch.
“Did you set the timer on the coffeepot last night?” he asked.
She yawned and nodded.
“Good. I’ll bring you a cup.”
He returned moments later and handed Liza an oversize mug of strong coffee. She sipped it gratefully. When she’d finished half of it, he asked, “Are you awake enough to talk?”
“I think so.”
Zach sat beside her on the couch and took her hand. “I’ve thought a lot about what happened last night. At first, I was angry because you didn’t tell me Ian’s news. When Denise and I were married, she kept lots of things from me. Like the fact that she never loved me,” he grumbled.
Liza took a deep breath. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you right away. I should have.” She lifted her gaze to meet his, and those luscious eyes, even smeared with mascara, mesmerized him. He could drown in the wonder of Liza’s eyes.
Zach pulled out his handkerchief and wiped away the mascara streaks. “There. Now you don’t look like you’ve been in a fight.”
“I feel like it.”
Liza’s penitent gaze bored into Zach’s heart. Even in her disheveled state, the woman looked beautiful to him. She still made his heart race and his pulse pound. “Where did you get that robe?” he asked. “I’ve never seen you wear anything threadbare until today.”
She sighed. “There’s a lot about me you don’t know, Zach. But remember this. I’m loyal to a fault. When I love something, I hold on to it. Like this robe. It’s ten years old, and I love it as much as the day I bought it.” She shivered a bit and pulled it closer.
Maybe he didn’t know Liza after all. “You’ve been a surprise a minute since we got engaged.” He shook his head. “I can’t figure you out.”
“That’s because you don’t know me. You think you do, but you don’t.” She took a deep breath, and her lower lip quivered.
Zach couldn’t resist. He leaned toward Liza and stole a kiss. It was the sweetest kiss he remembered. But he couldn’t get sidetracked now. They had important matters to discuss.
“What is it you wanted to tell me?” he asked. “Do you have a prison record?”
A slight smile teased her lips. “No prison record.”
“A contagious disease I’ve probably caught?”
She shook her head. “No contagious disease.”
“Have you got a husband stashed away somewhere? And three or four kids you didn’t bother to mention?”
“No husband, no children.” Liza placed her finger on his lips to silence him. Her soft touch stirred a yearning inside Zach—a yearning that grew stronger each time he saw her. Liza’s slightest touch sent his heart soaring.
“This is even worse,” she said. “Worse than all those things put together.”
Her expression looked hopeless and she wrapped the robe even tighter around herself.
“Liza, nothing’s that bad.”
“This is.”
“Then tell me. What is this awful thing I need to know?”
She drew a shuddering breath. “I promise I’ll tell you everything, Zach—the whole truth. But first let me clean up. I want your last memory of me to be that of a fully dressed woman with combed hair.”
“My last memory of you? What are you talking about?” Zach raked a hand through his hair. “Liza, Liza. You’re driving me crazy.”
She reached for his hand and her soft touch made his heart race. “Not for much longer, Zach. I promise.”
He shrugged, not knowing what else to say. “Go take your shower. Then we’ll talk.”
“But not here. Will you take me out to breakfast?”
“Why not here?”
“I want witnesses. In case you decide to strangle me.”
He nodded. “I’ll take you to the country club for their breakfast buffet.”
“Thank you.”
Liza leaned over and kissed his che
ek. Then she padded off toward the bathroom, looking like someone down on her luck. Not a bit like the top-notch attorney she really was.
As Zach waited for Liza to clean up, his thoughts spun faster than a funnel cloud. Part of him wanted Liza O’Malley more than he’d wanted any woman. Ever. And part of him didn’t quite trust her.
He’d noticed so many changes recently: Liza’s style of dress, her diet, and her driving skills. And he’d detected many small inconsistencies. Alone, they didn’t amount to much. But looked at collectively, they made him wonder.
And Liza seemed pretty mysterious these days. He wasn’t always sure she told him the whole truth. But, he supposed, that could be an occupational hazard. Attorneys were skilled at revealing only part of the story.
The radical change in their relationship baffled him most of all. Jeff had assured him that some people fall in love with their best friends. He said it wasn’t unusual.
Zach knew one thing for certain. He loved Liza. This was no longer a likelihood, but a fact. But did she really love him? Is that why she looked so troubled? Was she about to tell him—yet again—that all she wanted from him was friendship? Zach wasn’t sure he could bear hearing that again.
He heard the shower come on and tried not to picture how delectable Liza must look standing in the spray of water. He picked up a Newsweek magazine, trying to distract himself from thoughts of the beautiful woman who had upended his life and taught him to dream again.
CHAPTER 11
ZACH READ AND reread the first paragraph in an article on the state of the stock market. While he was interested in the data, he couldn’t remember anything the article said. If someone offered him a million dollars to quote the statistics, he couldn’t have done it. He sighed and tossed the magazine aside.
Liza’s phone rang, and Zach wondered if he should answer. It could be important—possibly her office needed to reach her. He walked toward the phone, but at the last minute decided to let the answering machine take the call.
The no-nonsense message he’d often heard came on. “Liza O’Malley here. Leave your name and number. I’ll call you ASAP.”
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