Two days after my birthday, I was back to scrubbing toilets and wiping windows.
My knees scraped the tiles of the bathroom in Zach’s guest room as I poured bleach into the toilet nobody had used for at least a decade. The fumes tickled my nose, burning my eyes.
Zach roamed the house like an unhinged phantom, barking orders and casting a dark, formidable shadow on Natalie and the rest of his staffers.
He’d done zero work since morning, instead popping his head into the various rooms I floated between and demanding to know what I wanted to eat for lunch, what my plans were after work hours, and if it were possible to spend time together.
I assumed ‘spend time together’ was code for rubbing our genitals until fire ignited.
Shamefully, I did not find the prospect too off-putting. Yes, he was engaged, but I’d read the thick contract with Eileen on his desk.
Neither of them wanted to share a room, touch one another, or even cohabitate in the same state. I’d even been privy to their conversations.
They sounded like elderly siblings barely managing to tolerate one another through the mutual interest of dividing a fat inheritance.
Still, something ate at my inner organs, devouring me inside and out, one bite at a time.
I traded the bleach spray for beeswax and cleaning wipes, moving on to the wooden cabinets.
Behind me, the door creaked open. I used my elbow to wipe my sweaty forehead, not bothering to look at the intruder.
“I already told you… I want mac n’ cheese balls and a burger for lunch.” I sighed. “Yes, I know I’m not five. No, I don’t car—”
“Get your ass up, Cinderella. We’re out of here.”
I whipped my head around to find Dallas filling the doorway, clad in a huge faux leopard coat, a pink cowgirl hat, diamond-studded sunglasses, and enough makeup to repaint the Sistine Chapel.
She looked… unhinged.
But also extremely freaking adorable.
I was still on my knees, trying not to get an epileptic episode from watching her alone. “What are you doing here?”
“Celebrating your birthday, silly.” Dallas ripped the shades from her eyes, grinning at me. “Sorry it took me over a day to organize. I was ironing out the kinks.” She bulldozed inside, protecting her nose (and baby) from the fumes with pinched fingers. “Come on, now. Our flight leaves in thirty minutes.”
“Our flight?” I jumped to my feet, eyes flaring in horror. “What do you mean, our flight? I don’t even have my passport on me.”
She waved me off. “Don’t worry, it’s domestic.”
I let her drag me out of the bathroom by the wrist for the sole fact that I refused to be responsible for harming her baby. “I didn’t even pack.”
“I packed for you.” Her voice practically radiated cheer as she all but skipped her way out to the hall. “Hope you like thongs and leather nipple warmers.”
I honestly didn’t know whether she was joking or preparing me for what was to come.
“My ID…” I trailed off.
“We’re flying private. You don’t need anything.”
Private.
Holy shit. Dallas wasn’t playing.
We were almost at the front door when Zach materialized like a bat from hell, blocking our way. He was the epitome of tall, dark, handsome, and psychotic.
Darkness rolled off his shoulders like smoke crawling into my lungs. A black cashmere sweater and charcoal slacks wrapped around his body, paired with a chunky wristwatch.
He crossed his arms, attention pinned on Dallas. “Where do you think you’re taking her?”
“She’s not your living room vase, Zach. She’s a person.” Dallas tilted her chin up. “I’m not taking her anywhere. We’re both leaving.”
He closed his eyes. Took a deep breath. Opened them—and still looked ready to burst into angry flames. “Where are you two going?”
“To have some fun.” Dallas tipped her cowgirl hat and winked at him, all good vibes. “It’s this thing where you laugh and have a good time and don’t plot the mass murder of people you disagree with. Look it up on Google. I swear it exists.”
“We have plans together.” His nostrils flared, and he got so deep in her face, I feared he’d accidentally touch her, then projectile vomit all over the floor.
I’d just polished it an hour ago.
“Yes.” She draped her arms over her pregnant belly. “I saw what you had in store for her. Another day of work. She’s coming with me.”
Zach stepped even deeper into her face. “Absolutely not.”
“Nice caveman impression, Zach.” I laced my arm through Dallas’, our friendship bracelets clinking together. “Now go ooga-booga in front of someone else.”
“I volunteer as tribute.” Romeo’s nonchalant drawl came from behind Zach’s back as he approached us. “By the way, Sun, you better get out of my wife’s face unless you’re eager to find out what pissing into a bag for the rest of your life feels like.”
Zach didn’t budge. “Farrow has plans.”
“Farrow has a mouth.” Romeo jerked him back by his collar. “If she wants to stay, she can say so.”
Zach’s eyes glided to my face, searching for help.
The truth was, I wanted to stay with him. But it was exactly why I shouldn’t stay. He was never mine to have, only to borrow.
I needed to put my emotional chips on other people.
And Dallas? A solid bet if I’d ever seen one.
I shook my head.
“See you later.” I shouldered past him with Dallas close behind. “Enjoy your raw fish and overcooked neurons.”
Romeo rested a hand on the small of Dallas’ back, leading us to a sleek black limo. “You heard the lady.”
“You can’t just leave.” Zach tailed me, ignoring the two of them. “You’re on a shift.”
The cold burrowed into my bones, but I ignored it. “Fire me.”
I’d reached the limo now. The driver stood at the door, opening it for me. I smiled at him, about to slide inside when Zach grabbed the back of my arm over my shirt, trying to tug me to him.
I jerked my arm back and swiveled. “Don’t you dare ruin this for me.”
Dallas settled into the backseat with Romeo kissing her through the window, whispering his goodbyes against her temple.
I gestured to them. “This, right here, is my Cinderella moment. Spending time with a new friend. Going somewhere fun. Feeling like a full-fledged human and not just someone’s housekeeper for a day. I don’t care what you have planned for me, Zach. You threw an engagement party on my birthday. I work ridiculous hours for you. I’m allowed to have this.”
His eyes ran in their sockets, drinking my face in. “I don’t want you sitting in an unprotected vehicle. At least take mine.”
My shoulders sagged. Some of my anger dissipated.
I pressed a hand to his chest, met by the wild gallop of his heart, the thuds so intense they hurt my palm. “I always drive my Prius.”
“And I always have a small heart attack when you do.” He looked downright annoyed by the fact. Then, realizing what it sounded like, he added, “You’re my shot at normalcy. I’m fully invested in your life until I discard you.”
“Extremely romantic.”
“Sadly, it’s probably the most romantic thing I’ve ever said.”
“I’ll be okay.”
He grabbed my elbows, and I fought the urge to kiss him. “Promise.”
“I promise.”
He threaded his fingers into my hair, cupping my head. My breath caught in my throat when I realized he was about to kiss me.
I wanted to be kissed by him more than I wanted to survive the remainder of our contract. Which was exactly why I needed to put a stop to it.
For me, Zachary Sun would break all his rules.
But for him, I’d break my own heart.
I turned my head at the last second.
His lips landed on my cheek, brushing a lone tear that escaped my eye.
“Have fun,” he croaked out.
“Thank you.”
