So, who are you playing pool with? she asked, anxious to change the subject.
Some guys. Good guys.
Hope so. Hey, did Zach say when hell get here?
Maybe. I dont remember. So-can I go now?
Give me another minute.
She had work. Lots of it. Since she was a trained stage actress, movie roles did not come naturally to her. Scenes would be shot out of order, and she wouldnt be able to fall back on the rhythm of the play to carry her character into her scene.
Since she needed to study the before moments that preceded every scene, she should be happy Zach was running late, but, for some reason, the thought of being alone here in his house with her script depressed her.
Making her way into the kitchen, she opened the fridge and found it full of her favorite cheeses, eggs, fresh vegetables and sparkling water. Zach must have talked to Gram to find out things she liked before sending Tuck to get them.
Closing the fridge door, she realized she wasnt going to work tonight when she felt so empty and strange being in Zachs house without him.
Can I go now? her brother repeated.
If youll give me a ride to Grams first.
If I were you I wouldnt go over there. The local gossips really have her and her friends all stirred up about you. Shes been hounding me for details. Says you wont return her calls.
She knew Tuck was right, but shed rather be at Grams facing hard questions than stay in this house alone, waiting for Zach. On the drive to Grams, she switched the conversation back to Tuck. So, how come you agreed to work for Zach again after you got in trouble? Is it the job you like? Or him?
The works boring, but hes okay. Funny, hes almost like a friend.
Her stomach tightened with alarm. Zach was far from a friend. Tuck should have better sense than to trust that man. But there was no way she could tell Tuck that without giving herself away.
I wish youd go back to school and find something that interests you. Then you wouldnt have to do boring work. Or work for Zach.
Schools even more boring. And like I said, I sort of like working for Zach.
Maybe if you tried to be interested, youd become interested.
Thats what Zach said the other day when he drove me over to the junior college.
He what?
Drove me to the tech campus. In his Lamborghini. Boy, was everybody impressed.
I cant believe he took the time Hes a very busy man. She couldnt hold back now. You know, Tuck, hes not really your friend.
Hey, where do you get off criticizing him? Youre never here. He is. His tone was low as his sad eyes whipped around to regard her. Youre this big famous actress. Until Zach came back to Bonne Terre, Gram and me didnt interest you much. With your glam job, how could you understand what its like for someone like me, somebody whos ordinary and stuck here? I cant help if its hard for me to get excited about my life. Its not much to get excited about.
I cant believe he took the time Hes a very busy man. She couldnt hold back now. You know, Tuck, hes not really your friend.
Hey, where do you get off criticizing him? Youre never here. He is. His tone was low as his sad eyes whipped around to regard her. Youre this big famous actress. Until Zach came back to Bonne Terre, Gram and me didnt interest you much. With your glam job, how could you understand what its like for someone like me, somebody whos ordinary and stuck here? I cant help if its hard for me to get excited about my life. Its not much to get excited about.
Then youve got to do something with your life, Tuck.
Ive heard it before.
If you dont do something, nobody else is going to do it for you. Life is what you make it.
Easy for a big shot like you to say. Why dont you stay out of my business, and Ill stay out of yours? Deal?
No, its not a deal!
Damn. Because of Zach, she was losing precious ground with her brother.
Refusing to come in, Tuck dropped her off at Grams. As Summer got out of the car, he sped away in an angry whirl of dust and gravel.
Dreading being grilled by Gram, especially after not taking her calls all week, Summer squared her shoulders before marching up to the house.
Summer was barely inside before Gram switched off the television and plopped Silas down on the floor.
Why didnt you return any of my phone calls?
Because I was too ashamed of what I was doing.
That wasunforgiveable of me, Summer whispered. I did listen to every single message thoughif that counts.
So, when were you going to tell me youve started seeing Zach Torr? Gram asked excitedly.
Its not what you think, Summer hedged, feeling acutely uncomfortable that her grandmother was hoping for a true romance.
What is it, then?
Look, it was a long flight. Im thirsty. Do you have some tea?
Why didnt you tell me? Why did I have to hear this from all the gossips? Gram asked rather gloomily as she and Silas followed Summer into the kitchen.
Summer didnt say anything as Gram splashed tea from a pitcher in the fridge into a tall glass.
Well, if you wont talk, Ill say my peace. I think its great that youre reconnecting with Zach.
Were not
Its high time you two sorted out the past.
Gram-
It will do you both a world of goodto talk it out.
Theres nothing to talk out.
Oh, no? After stirring in lemon and mint Gram handed Summer the tall glass of iced tea. You could talk about New Orleans. And the baby.
Summers chest felt hollow and tight.
You looked like death when you came home from New Orleans. I used to wonder if youd ever get over it. Maybe if you told Zach, let him share that grief with you, maybe then both of you could move on. Hes just as stuck in the past as you are.
Summer shook her head. That was fifteen years ago. Its way too late for us.
Losing his baby after hed rejected her had hurt so much, Summer had locked her sorrow inside. Shed never wanted to suffer because of it again.
Tears burned behind the back of her eyelids. I cant talk about it, not even like this, to you, Gram.
Grams arms slid slowly around her, and Summer, fighting tears, stayed in them for quite a while.
Spending time with him is the brave thing to do. I think its a start in finding yourself. I, for one, am going to pray for a miracle.
You do that, Summer whispered, not wanting to repeat that, for her and Zach, it was hopeless.
In the meantime, we could play Hearts, Gram said more cheerfully.
GramI
I just love it when Zach stops by to play Hearts A man with as much as he has to do taking time for a little old lady And hes not even my grandson.
Zach againbesting her. Was there no competing with him? No escaping him?
Feeling cornered, Summer sat down with Gram to play Hearts.
Except for the lights shed left on, the Thibodeaux mansion was still dark several hours later when Summer drove up in Grams borrowed Ford sedan, after having lost too many games of Hearts. She hadnt bothered to set the security system, so she simply unlocked the door and let herself in.
Feeling restless because Zach still wasnt there, she showered and dressed for bed in a thin T-shirt and a pair of comfortable long cotton pants. Intending to mull over her scenes for a little while, she pulled back her covers and slid into bed with her script.
But just reading through the sex scene made her squirm, so when she saw the remote, she flicked on the television, surfing until she found the weather channel.
There was a big storm over east Texas that Zach would have to drive through. Video of downed trees, traffic signs and power lines made her more apprehensive, so she turned the television off.
Was he okay? If hed been in an accident, would anyone even think to call her?
Hes fine. Just fine. And why should you care if he isnt?
Even more restless now, she got up and padded into the kitchen where she poured herself a glass of sparkling water. She was pacing when her cell phone rang. Hoping it might be Zach, she sprinted back down the hall to answer it.
What the hell do you think youre doing? Thurman demanded without bothering to greet her. How can you move in with that bastard? You should be ashamed of yourself.
She was ashamed, and furious at Thurman for punching that hot button.
Headlights flashed across the front of the house as her stepfather lambasted her. Stiffening her spine, she stood up straighter. She wasnt some teenage girl her stepfather could blackmail or control.
How did you get this number? Summer said. Ive told you never to call me.
What are you doing over there? I demand to know.
Its none of your business. And it hasnt been for a very long time. Mothers dead. Im an adult. Goodbye.
Youre dragging the family down into the dirt all over again! He swore viciously.
She turned her phone off just as Zachs key turned in the lock.
Thinking she should give him a piece of her mind for putting her through all this, she stomped toward the front door. Then he stepped wearily across the threshold. She registered the slump of his broad shoulders, which looked soaked in the gray light.
Hi, she said, feeling an unwanted mixture of relief and sympathy for him.
Sorry. He seemed as tense and wary as she was. I hope I didnt wake you up.
You didnt. No way would she admit shed been worrying about him. Thirsty. She waved her glass of water. Thanks for getting all my favorite stuff. For the fridge, I mean.
All I did was have Rhonda make a phone call to your grandmother. Rhondas my secretary. When he smiled crookedly, he was incredibly handsome despite the dark circles of fatigue shadowing his eyes.
Long day? she whispered, feeling slightly breathless, already having fallen under the spell of his lean, sculpted beauty.
He nodded. Even before the drive. Long week, too. When it rainsit pours. Literally.
Oh, and the storm. Was it bad?
It slowed me down.
From the late hour and his tight features, she was almost sure that was an understatement.
Do you have any more bags? Could I help you carry something inside?
Youre being awfully nice. Too nice, he accused, his dark eyes flashing dangerously. Why?
Yes-and I dont know why. I dont trust myself, either.
When he smiled and seemed to relax, she felt her own tension ease a little. But just a little. After all, their shared weekend loomed in her imagination. She wasnt sure what he expected of her tonight.