Chapter Fifteen

“Mr. Ruiz,” Marcy said when she picked up on the second ring. “Always nice to speak to you before six a.m.”

Shit. Zach glanced at the pineapple-shaped clock on the wall. “Sorry. I lost track of time.”

“What can I do for you this morning?”

“I—” Jenna stirred in bed, and Zach didn’t want to wake her up. It had been after midnight when they finally cuddled under the covers together and fallen asleep. Well, Jenna had fallen asleep. Zach had lain awake all night staring at the ceiling and thinking. Thinking about what Jenna had told him about Elliot and his client.

“One second.”

Zach slipped on the pair of discarded khaki shorts from the night before and went out to the deck, closing the door behind him.

Sea air hit him in the face. The sun was just peeking over the horizon, sending shots of pink dancing across the waves. Seagulls squawked overhead, thrilled to have the beach nearly to themselves so early in the morning. Only one newlywed couple jogged along the beach in matching spandex and bright pink windbreakers and caps.

It really was kind of nice here. He could see why Jenna picked it. Too bad he hadn’t been able to do much relaxing. He’d either been worried about Jenna, making love to Jenna, or worrying about what Elliot had been up to.

Zach paced the deck. “I need whatever you have on IDS. And I need my laptop. We’re totally rewriting our pitch to Tower Media.”

Marcy, as nonplussed as always, went straight from a dead sleep into business mode, though he could hear a kid in the background asking about waffles. Sometimes Zach forgot that Marcy had a life outside his office, a family. “Sarah was able to dig up a little bit on the financials. He’s lost clients over the last year,” she said. “From what we can tell, his client portfolio is down sixty to seventy percent. And he’s made some bad financial moves.”

Zach’s gut feeling was spot on, and with what Jenna told him last night about his being all freaked out about Tower Media, along with the wedding, he was in full-on Hail Mary mode. He was desperate to get the client on his list, to the point of making up figures? And what about Jenna’s fortune—or lack thereof? Zach had a strong suspicion that Elliot’s sudden interest in Jenna had a lot to do with her inheritance. The timing just fit. An influx of cash was just what Elliot needed right now. No wonder he was so desperate to “reschedule.” The thought made Zach sick.

“He’s desperate. And he’s going after Tower Media,” Zach said. “Jenna said he’s been in intense talks with his people the last few weeks, and the meeting is Friday morning. We need to pitch him first.”

“Yes, I know. I also got a copy of the draft of his pitch.”

That set him back on his heels. “How did you manage that?”

“I know a guy. Actually a gal. Don’t ask.” Marcy cleared her throat. “Based on our research, there are a lot of things about the business in there that just aren’t accurate. I’ll email it.”

“You are the best, Marcy. I don’t think I tell you that enough.”

“You never tell me that, Mr. Ruiz,” she said. “I’m having someone from the local store send over a new laptop. Once you set it up, you’ll be able to access the files on your laptop here through our server. I’ll have Dillon call to walk you through it.”

Zach heard the click clack of key strokes in the background, as well as the television set, tuned to a children’s program. How many kids did she have? He thought about the picture on her desk. Just the one son, he thought. No, not her son. A young nephew she had adopted and was raising alone. She’d needed a few days off over the last year for court sessions and home visits.

Marcy had always been behind him 100 percent, ever since he’d started the business. She’d left IDS and stuck with him when Zach was forced out, and she was a huge part of his success. And she was right. Although he paid her a good salary, he never told her how much he appreciated her. This job—Zach’s hours—had to be hard on her as far as the kid was concerned.

“I’ll refine our pitch based on the new information and anything else I can find out here. Have the team review it. I’ll be back Wednesday afternoon, and then we’ll pitch Thursday morning, if we can get on Drakeport’s schedule.” That would be the tricky part, getting the meeting moved up so they could pitch before Elliot.

“We will be on the schedule. I’ll let you know the details when I have them.”

“You know a gal over there, too?”

“A guy, actually. I might have made the acquaintance of Mr. Drakeport’s executive assistant when you decided we were going after the business.” She paused, and Zach could hear the smile in her voice. “It turns out he was a big supporter of Dogs Across America, and when I attended the luncheon a few weeks ago and you donated a big check, he called to thank you.”

“I don’t remember a big check.”

“I know.”

Sounded like him. He was probably wrapped up in whatever analysis he was doing and completely unaware of the people or other things going on around him. He lived like that a lot, apparently.

“Well, that’s…impressive.” Zach was ready to disconnect then paused. “Marcy—pencil yourself in for two weeks of paid vacation when this is over. Take your nephew to Disney or something. Use my credit card—hotel, travel, food, souvenirs, passports, whatever.”

Silence on the other end of the phone.

“Marcy?”

She cleared her throat. “Yes. Thank you, Mr. Ruiz. I have—I have to go now.” She swallowed hard. “Florida agrees with you, Zach.”

The phone disconnected, and once again Zach was left confused by people. Marcy was not what anyone would call excitable. But he’d expected…something. He had no time to dwell on Marcy’s odd behavior, though. He had work to do.

But then, inexplicably, he punched the contact for his mom and dad. His mom was an early riser, and Zach knew she’d be out of bed and busy already.

“Zach?” She picked up on the second ring. “What’s wrong?”

“Hi, Mom. Nothing’s wrong.”

Silence.

“Then why are you calling? Not that I don’t love hearing from you. I do—it’s just you don’t call.”

Guilt smacked Zach right in the chest. “I know. I’m sorry. I just…well, just wanted to say hello, I guess. See what was going on with you and Dad.”

Silence again. “We’re fine. Your dad spends most of his time puttering around in the yard. We joined the Y. They have a Silver Sneakers program over there.”

“That’s great.”

“Are you at work?”

“No, actually. I’m in Florida.”

“You took a vacation?” His mom sounded more surprised that she should be. People took vacations all the time. Not Zach, but people.

“Sort of. I’m here with a friend.”

“A friend?”

Her voice reflected even more surprise. “Yeah. A friend. She was having a hard time, so I’m spending a few days here.”

“She?”

“Why do you keep repeating everything I say?” Zach tried to keep the irritation out of his voice. It wasn’t his mother he was irritated with. She just brought into sudden focus the fact that he rarely went on vacations or had friends that he helped out. She hadn’t said that, of course, but it was true.

“Are you sure you’re all right, Zach?”

And now he was regretting calling her. “I’m fine. Absolutely fine.” Except that he was in love with a woman he couldn’t have, and it must be making him do strange stuff. “How are Anthony, Mike, and Grace?”

“Grace is good. She’s having a hard time, missing Greg, but he should be home on leave in a couple more months. We’re helping out as much as we can.”

“I’ve wanted to visit and see the baby,” Zach said. “I’ve just been busy.” More guilt. This was why he didn’t call home very much. It made him feel like a terrible son, grandson, and brother.

But then again, maybe he was.

“I know.”

“How are Abu and Tito?”

“Loving life,” she said. “I think they’re playing in a poker tournament this weekend.”

He could only imagine how much fun they’d have with that. A pang of longing hit him square in the chest. He sucked in a deep breath and tried to drown it. “Well, I have to go. Big presentation coming up. Tell Dad and everyone else I said hi.”

“All right.” She paused for a moment. “I’m glad you called, Zach. We miss you.”

And there it was. The killing blow. Could someone die by guilt? As tight as his chest felt, he was pretty sure it was possible.

“I’ll call more, Mom. Love you.”

“Love you, too.” There was a note of worry in her voice that hadn’t been there when she picked up. Zach had put it there.

Zach disconnected and just stood, looking at the ocean. He loved his family. He really, really did. So why didn’t he call more? Go visit? Being with Jenna made him realize that he’d sort of kept them on the back burner, like they’d always be there. And that just wasn’t true. Sure, he’d given them things, though they’d never asked or expect more from him than his presence. But he’d never given them himself. He’d never given anyone even part of himself.

One more thing to put on his to-do list. After he nailed the presentation.

Zach showered quickly and dressed in the pair of khaki shorts again. After their paint fight, his pants and shoes had been splattered beyond repair, and he’d thrown them out. He’d pick up enough to get by when he and Jenna ventured out later today. For now, shorts and a casual button-up shirt would have to do.

Jenna was still sleeping when he left the hut and headed to the main building to wait for the delivery of the laptop. He didn’t know what Marcy had done to get the computer delivered so quickly, but by the time he got to the lobby and fixed himself a coffee at the espresso bar, a courier had arrived at the front desk and was looking for him.

He peeled off a good tip and asked whether the resort had a business center. Within minutes, he had the computer unboxed and online and was on the phone with Dillon getting his desktop downloaded.

Zach had the business center to himself—he supposed not many newlyweds really brought work with them to their honeymoons. And the type that did—CEOs and the like—were most likely not the target demographic of Paradise Island. They were on a yacht in the Greek Isles somewhere. Still, there was nowhere else he’d rather be.

He hadn’t even noticed how much time had passed until Jenna appeared in the doorway.

“Knock, knock,” she said, leaning against the doorjamb.

“Hey,” he said, sitting back and rubbing his bleary eyes. Zach shut the laptop’s lid as she came around the table.

“I don’t want to disturb you,” she said. “But the clerk said you’re been in here since dawn, and I thought you might be hungry.”

She put a brown paper bag on the table then hopped up to sit on the edge of the table.

She was simply radiant this morning. She wore another little sundress today, in shades of turquoise and blue. Her cheeks and nose were the slightest bit of pink, and her dark curls were wind-blown, telling Zach that she’d been outside, whether on their deck or maybe walking on the beach. Her lips were pink an a little swollen, evidence of yesterday’s “nap” and the post-nap activities they’d gotten up to later.

Zach stood and wedged himself in between her knees then gathered her to him and kissed her deeply.

She tasted just as sweet and hot as she looked, and instantly, his blood started to pump harder. No woman had ever made him so hot so fast. Just Jenna.

He pulled away but kept one hand in her hair. He loved her hair.

“Sorry to leave you so early this morning,” he said.

“It’s fine,” she said. “I figured you were working.”

“Yeah. Sorry. Big meeting when I get back.” He felt bad about leaving her alone.

“It’s fine. I…need to get used to be alone again. Doing my own thing. I don’t need you to baby-sit me every minute of the day and night.”

Zach hated that she felt that way, even though he knew she was probably right. “What did you do today?”

“Breakfast, a walk on the beach. Got a couple messages from Niki. She let Elliot know I was okay but still wants to know when I’ll be home.”

A frown creased her brow.

“Screw him,” Zach said. “He was a jerk, and now he’s lost you. He needs to get over it.”

He hadn’t known he had a possessive streak until Jenna. He’d been so wrapped up inside himself all these years. Zach felt like Jenna had cracked something open inside of him, and for the first time, he saw things that had been invisible before. Especially how he was with other people. Jenna made him consider the people that were closest to him and how he interacted with them.

Marcy, for example.

How had he never realized what a great employee she was? He’d been so obsessed with his data and his numbers that he took her for granted. That was going to change. As it was, he was lucky she hadn’t left his ass for a boss who wasn’t such a jerk a long time ago.

And there was his family. He missed them, he realized. And paying for college or buying a house didn’t make him a good son or brother. He’d just become an uncle, and he wasn’t even sure what the kid’s full name was. That had to change, too.

These past few days, here with Jenna, he’d hardly thought about work, other than the big project. The more shocking thing was that he kind of resented working on the presentation that had sucked up some of the limited amount of time he had left with Jenna. That was until he figured out a way to keep her in his life.

Zach didn’t know what that looked like, what she wanted, or even how to go about it. He knew he loved her now. But where did she fit in? When he got back to reality, would she become an afterthought, like everything else in his life that wasn’t work? He didn’t want that for her. And he didn’t think she would be willing to accept less than everything he had. If she accepted Zach at all.

One problem at a time. First, the presentation. Then his personal life. He’d tackle each challenge like he had any other in his life, through logic and planning and data collection, followed by reasoned, measured, precise execution.

“I think he’ll get over it,” Jenna said, bringing Zach back to the conversation. “It’s just that I feel bad. This wasn’t Elliot’s fault. I should have faced my doubts earlier instead of pushing them away. I think I was so intent on being married and having a family again that I sort of was willing to settle, you know?”

“You shouldn’t have to settle,” Zach said, and he wasn’t thinking of Elliot but rather himself. Could he give her what she deserved? A man totally focused on her. That was just the barest beginning of what she deserved.

She sighed. “Anyway, enough of that. Elliot and all the rest will be there waiting for me when I get back. I’m more interested in today.”

“Yes, I understand there’s to be another anti adventure. Please, please tell me it involves you.” He traced a finger tip down her bare leg. “And me.” He rubbed back up her thigh until his fingertips were just under the flounce of her skirt. “And some kind of horizontal surface.” He moved closer until his lips were a breath away from hers. “Preferably clothing optional.”

“Actually,” she said, putting a finger to his lips and creating a tiny bit of space, “that’s exactly what I have planned. We have a two o’clock appointment. There will be a lot of skin involved.”

Zach glanced at the clock on the wall above the door. “So that gives us almost an hour,” he said, more concerned about the forty-five minutes or so they had until it was time to leave than where they were actually going.

Jenna leaned in and kissed him, her arms going around his neck in the completely trusting way she had. Then she pulled back. “But we need to get going, actually. It’s a bit of a drive.”

He groaned and pulled back. “Fine,” he said. He grabbed the laptop and the packaging it had come in. He still felt a little bad. “I’m going to have to work some more this afternoon when we get back,” he said. “But I want to make it up to you.”

“Zach. You don’t have anything to make up. You’ve been…” She blinked, and he got the impression that she was tearing up a little. “You’ve been great. More than great. I don’t know how I would have gotten through this week without you.”

His heart was melting. Totally melting. This woman turned him inside out.

“There’s still time for me to screw it up,” He said, kissing her tightly on the lips. “Peopling and all.”

“I don’t believe that.” She shook her head. “I trust you completely.”