Zoe rolled her eyes and playfully pushed his biceps, hesitating for a moment at the way the muscle flexed. She wanted to keep her hand there, maybe let her fingers trail against his pecs, but that would be weird, especially since she’d made it clear they were not going to act on any impulse they may have. “Don’t tell me you’re going to have to take a pretty flight attendant out on a date all because of lil’ ole me.”
Why did she say that last line in her Southern belle accent? And, as her spine straightened, Zoe questioned her sanity. Did she seriously just curtsy? Judging from the strangled laugh escaping Will’s throat, she guessed she did. “Sorry,” Zoe coughed. “I don’t know what’s come over me.”
“You’re back home.” Will provided an answer.
It wasn’t the answer Zoe wanted to hear but she’d go with it. Better go with his than the naughty thoughts circling around in her mind.
“Well, thanks again for getting my bags to me.”
“Not a problem,” he answered.
They both started walking back toward the house. Zoe was well aware of how close they were to each other. Their forearms touched. Her fingers itched to link with his but she managed to control herself.
The only car parked off the circular driveway was the one they had driven down in. Lexi had left, as expected. She had her own home to tend to. From what Zoe gathered, Stephen’s cousin had purchased the land and the Magnolia Palace and recently finished the remodeling—a job well done, Zoe thought to herself. But she had not seen the hotelier.
“Any sign of the rest of the guests?” Zoe asked.
“Stephen left to pick up someone just before I came outside. Are you starving? I’m sure I saw a basket of fruit on the kitchen table.”
Zoe scrunched up her face. “I think I may have a bag of microwavable popcorn in one of my bags.”
Now it was Will’s turn to scrunch up his face. “Microwavable popcorn is not good for you.”
“Are you telling me you happen to have popcorn kernels and an air machine in your bags?” Zoe teased, pushing his arm once more. Will’s large frame didn’t budge. “Leave me and my popcorn alone. I’m going to watch a movie.”
“Yes,” he said seriously. When her eyes shot up in surprise, Will flashed a killer, million-watt smile. “Of course I’m kidding. What movie are you planning on watching?”
Zoe glanced down at her tablet. She preferred to keep her love of superheroes a secret. After getting teased in junior high school, Zoe learned to keep it to herself. On some websites, she’d never found anyone who shared her love but rather more or less mocked it. So she’d learned to stifle her love and watch in secret. “Oh, I did a makeup job a few years ago in college for a buddy of mine who ended up going off to the military. He finally finished putting this low-budget CGI film together and well, he sent me a copy.”
They reached the back porch. Will pressed his hand against Zoe’s lower back and guided her up the wide steps. Their strides matched. All too aware of the heat from his touch, Zoe prayed he didn’t feel the sweat drizzling down her back.
“So, you’re a movie makeup artist, as well?”
“I am extremely talented, Mr. Ravens. I can beat anyone’s face,” she said. Will stopped walking, clamping his hand on her shoulder. To most people, Zoe had to explain that beating a face meant putting on makeup. As CEO of a cosmetics company, he surely knew this information, which only meant his frown was for not using his given name. “Sorry, Will.” Zoe shook her head and laughed.
“What do you mean, ‘beat’?”
Zoe stood still on the top step. “You’re not serious, are you?”
Will pointed his finger at her and let out a laugh. “Gotcha there.”
A slow and unsure chuckle escaped Zoe’s mouth. For some reason, she didn’t believe him. Was it possible for a CEO of a cosmetics company to not know what beat meant? In keeping up with the trends, someone should have taught Will the lingo. Maybe believing he didn’t would ease her irritation at not landing the job right off the bat. Given he was going to be her boss one day, Zoe decided to take his word for it—for now.