suddenly coming to life.
“James,” Charlotte followed his gaze, “is that man with Sarah a friend of hers?”
James’s friend, sitting with them, looked over curiously. “That’s weird… Sarah never had many friends. But she seems quite taken
with him.”
“A new boyfriend maybe? Good thing you got divorced when you did, James, or else…” (1)
The speaker caught James’s darkening expression and quickly fell silent.
James clenched his fist, watching Sarah with bitter amusement. So that’s why she agreed to the divorce so easily. (1)
His cold stare didn’t go unnoticed. After Steven left, Scarlett shot back a glare. “What the hell is his problem?”
Sarah frowned slightly, but the beautiful scenery and her good mood made it hard to care. Slightly tipsy from two glasses of wine, she lounged back lazily. “Maybe he’s just admiring my beauty.”
Her words drifted up to the second floor, where a man stood by the fireplace, chuckling softly. (1)
Zachary’s eyes glinted with amusement, clearly pleased about something.
Steven watched his boss nervously. The only other time he’d seen Zachary laugh like this was when the Jefferson family met their
tragic end. T
1/2
‘Boss, please don’t laugh like that. It’s terrifying.”
Zachary spared him a glance. “Did you deliver the goose?”
Steven nodded, scratching his nose in confusion. “But what’s this about? You had me drive all the way here to barbecue, insisted I prepare that goose… which of those ladies caught your eye?”
With a straightforward and honest personality, Steven wasn’t one to beat around the bush. Ever since Zachary asked him to deliver thern the dishes, he knew something was off.
The other staff tensed at his boldness, but Zachary seemed unbothered. Looking out over the endless forest from the second floor, he remembered his deliberately missed shot. He glanced at Steven thoughtfully, “Nothing like that. Just making sure someone remembers she owes me a favor.”
Chapter 10
The barbecue lasted well into the afternoon, with drinks flowing and laughter filling the air, creating the kind of warmth that malies strangers feel like old friends.
Sarah slipped away during the festivities to claim her prize, accompanied by a staff member. As the winner, she had her choice of either the horse she’d ridden or any other animal from the estate’s collection. Though drawn to the horses, she chose a young deer instead, believing horses weren’t meant to be kept as pets.
As she finished malding her cholce, a security guard approached. “Miss Sanders? Mr. Reynolds would like a word.”
There was only one Reynolds who commanded that kind of respect – Zachary Reynolds.
Upstairs, she found him lounging by the window while Steven mixed drinks, purple liquid catching the light as ice clinked against
crystal.
Steven’s eyes sparkled with mischief when he saw her, “You must be special – boss never shares his private collection with
anyone.”
He wasn’t even trying to hide what he was suggesting.
Sarah studied Zachary carefully. She’d never seen anyone quite so striking. When he spoke, it took her a moment to find her voice.
By then, they were alone. A slight smile played across his face as he said, “Miss Sanders, I have a favor to ask.”
Half an hour later, Sarah descended the stairs as the crowd was thinning out.
Scarlett jumped up from her chair. “What was that about?”
Remembering his request, Sarah paused before answering casually, “Just caught up with someone I know.“”
1
As evening approached, they realized they’d had too much to drink to drive. Sarah was about to call a car when a honey–sweet voice interrupted,
“Why don’t you ride with us? It’s getting late – cabs are hard to find out here.”
Sarah looked up to find Charlotte clinging to James’s arm. “Darling,” she cooed at him, “let’s give them a lift.”
His dark eyes swept over Sarah before he muttered, “Get in.”
Behind him, his friends watched with barely concealed interest, clearly hoping for some drama.
Sarah’s frown deepened. “No, thank you. We’ll manage.”
“Please,” Scarlett added sarcastically, “we don’t need your pity ride.”
Their refusal hung awkwardly in the air.
“I didn’t mean to offend,” Charlotte said softly. “It’s just not safe for women alone at this hour…”
1/2
James squeezed her hand, his expression softening. Three years later, and Charlotte was still so considerate. (1)
He fixed Sarah with a stern look. “Don’t let pride cloud your judgment. Charlotte’s trying to help.”
Sarah felt her temper rising, “Mr. Chancer,” she said, Ice in her voice. “I said no.”
James’s jaw tightened.
Charlotte lowered her eyes, the perfect picture of wounded innocence. 1
Their friends shifted uncomfortably as tension mounted. Scarlett was already rolling up her sleeves, spoiling for a fight, when
Steven’s amused voice cut through the standoff.
“Well, well,” he drawled, dangling a set of keys. “Having a parking lot showdown, are we?”
