“Feeling more yourself today?”
“Yeah. Oh, remember how I told you that the airline lost my luggage before I went shopping? After the managers of the boutiques told me that they would deliver my stuff to The Oasis, I got someone else’s clothes, but at least I took my most important bag with me. Have you seen the lingerie stores here?”
“Glad you took your sweet time getting to your point. I can’t believe you got used clothing? Girlie, that will never do.”
“The clothes are new, but I didn’t pick them out.”
“Are they the right size?”
“Well, yes, but they’re so...” Zoe searched for the right word.
“So what?”
Zoe gave up her mental thesaurus search and finally settled for saying, “I can’t dress like that.”
“Just because you usually dress like a bohemian rhapsody gone wrong doesn’t mean you can’t shake things up a little. I can only imagine what you had picked out for your meeting and book signing.”
“There’s nothing wrong with Retro Dayz,” Zoe protested. She loved the funky clothing store and all its one-of-a-kind pieces. It was also located directly across from her favorite apothecary shop in her hometown of Holland Springs.
“Only if you want to convey the I’m-channeling-the-musical-Hair look, not the I’m-a-best-selling-author-attire. Your mother dresses younger and better than you,” Martha pointed out. “Even if she can’t tell the difference between the softer side of Sears and Prada.”
Well, neither could Zoe, but she wasn’t about to admit that to her aunt. “There’s no reason to fuss at me or talk about your sister like that. Anyway, why didn’t you tell me Ian Romanov was the big name coming out here? I thought it was Gray Campbell or Wade McGowan?”
“You said you preferred Romanov out of the three.”
Zoe gasped. “I most certainly did not.” Actually, she most certainly had. However, she hadn’t thought her aunt had been listening at the time.
“You most certainly did. Besides, his schedule matched yours. When I talked with him earlier, he mentioned running into you at the airport.”
“He did?” If Martha knew about their meeting, then everyone did. She grabbed a pillow and smacked herself on the side of the head.
“I don’t have to worry about you doing something stupid like getting married by an Elvis impersonator, do I?”
“Why in the world would I do that?” she snapped, then sighed and tossed the pillow away. “No, I don’t plan to do more than meet, greet and sign. Then it’s pool and spa time for Zoe.”
“About tonight. Dinner at RARE, at 8:30. I want you to be seen and photographed with Romanov. Make sure you sit beside him.”
“Why in the world would I want to do that?” She sounded like a broken record. “I texted Chloe that I wasn’t interest in dinner. There’s no reason for me to be there. Peak’s making its decision.”
Martha let out a sigh. “I would consider it a big favor and I can trust you. You know you’re my favorite oldest niece, and an old woman like me needs all the help she can get. You will help me, won’t you? We are family.”
Family: the ultimate weak spot. Zoe capitulated with a sigh.“Fine.”
In her next sentence Martha was back to business. “My assistant won’t be there, but it’s only a schmooze-and-booze type thing.”
No booze for her. She needed a clear head to get through this dinner. “I’m sticking with water.”
“Drink whatever you like. I’m more concerned with your wardrobe.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“Pick out something pretty and purple. The color brings the green out in your eyes. Go get your hair and makeup done. I’ve seen the way you try to fix that horse’s tail.” Her aunt paused. “On second thought, I’ll send someone up to you.”
Zoe searched through the white bags hanging in her closet, finding a suspiciously purple wrap-dress in the first one. “Aunt M, did you have anything to do with my wardrobe swap?”
“Maybe I did and maybe I didn’t.”
“Thank you for my birthday presents.” Zoe let the bags fall back in place.
“You’re welcome,” Martha said before ending their call.
Zoe roamed the room for a few minutes. Finally, she sat down at the desk and powered up her laptop. Quickly, she read the latest gossip website and frowned at the description of Ian Romanov’s latest fling gone wrong. “Vivian Cross might be missing you, but I’m not.”
After x-ing out the internet browser and checking the time, she opened the last file she’d been working on. Five hours until dinner. Five hours until him.
Maybe she should write a scene where Dimitri can’t get it up and have Katrina laugh at him, then run off with Joshua. Oh yeah, that would go over really well with her fans.
She groaned, letting her head fall into her hands.
Why in the world had she agreed to come out here? To have dinner with a man like Ian Romanov? No, not a man like him.
Christian.
He was a dangerous temptation. The type of man that had no problem loving a woman then leaving her. She knew his type all too well.
If she weren’t careful, she’d be just as heartbroken as she had been over four years ago. She eyed the closet again and stood up. Steel crept up her spine and made her stand straighter. This time things would be different. She was different. Older and wiser, too. Without the need for a disguise that rendered her unrecognizable.
All she would have to do is be pleasant. Be polite. Pose for pictures. Be calm, cool and collected. As if she did this all the time. She nodded at her reflection in the mirrored closet door and smiled. Christian Romanov wouldn’t know what hit him.
Chapter Four
It would have been a perfectly nice dinner if Zoe hadn’t stabbed Christian before the dessert course had come.
A medic poured antiseptic over the shallow (thank God) wound on Christian’s hand.
Christian alternately hissed and cursed under his breath. “Sorry, not your fault, mate.” He sliced his gaze to Zoe.
“I’m so sorry,” she said for the fourth time, mortified at the scene she had caused.
No less than five waiters, two personal assistants and three managers jumped to their feet to gather ice, vodka for Christian’s empty glass, and a first-aid kit.
“It won’t stop bleeding.” One of the personal assistants narrowed his eyes at her, then let his gaze rove over Christian’s body. Christian winked at him and the man beamed.