He's No Prince Charming (Charming 2)

The pain in her voice washed over him like it was his own. His palm went to her cheek. “We are more than a fling. You know it. I know it.” God, he should tell her about his firm and her father, but she was so damn upset he was afraid she would bolt. “And of course, you told me about your father. Why wouldn’t you?”

She laughed. A choked, bitter sound. “You have no idea what it’s like to be my father’s daughter.”

His finger slid from her cheek to stroke her hair. “More than you can imagine. Think about who my father is. I had a lot of pressure to follow in his footsteps. Because I did and you didn’t in your father’s doesn’t change the reaction people have when they hear the name.”

“People know you’re not your father,” she argued.

“Now. It wasn’t always that way. And look at how you react to knowing who I am. You hated me, not sure you still don’t, just because of how you perceive me.”

She looked down again and he wondered what she was thinking. “I never know if people want to be close to me or the money my family has.”

“I know.”

Her eyes lifted to his. “You do?”

“Of course,” he said, nodding. “Women like the power the media dishes out to me and let’s face it, everyone knows I have money.” Declan paused. “We aren’t as different as you have tried to make us.”

Tilting her head to the side, she studied him, eyebrows dipped. “I don’t know what to make of you, Declan. I really don’t.”

“The feeling is mutual, I assure you.” He smiled at her. “I guess that means we have to do some in-depth exploration.”

She smiled. A soft smile that pleased him. “Maybe,” Zoe said, and then seemed to hesitate. “I…need to go.”

He should just let this be until he took care of this thing with her father, but the idea of letting her escape bothered him. For some reason, he felt if she bolted he might not ever see her again. And he knew she needed to talk. If he could get her alone and relaxed, Declan thought she just might open up. So, despite his best judgment, he found himself asking, “What are you doing later?”

“I have to go to the new Night Rangers opening tonight. It’ll run late with the after-show interviews.”

She stood up and Declan let her. What else could he do? This was for the best. Besides, he needed to spend time with his mother. But after a quick goodbye, he found himself turning to watch Zoe’s departure. Fate had brought them together under sticky circumstances. But not impossible ones. He’d worked plenty of legal miracles. He’d just have to work one that helped Zoe’s little nightmare with her father get resolved.

And Zoe, without a doubt, was under his skin. He had to find out why.

* * * * *

Zoe had called Lucy to go to the show with her. Now, walking toward the theatre door and laughing with her, she was glad she had.

Lucy sniffed and made a comment about the lead actress’s attire—or rather, lack of—after the show during Zoe’s interview. “Come on now,” Zoe laughed. “You, my darling friend, are no good girl. Not anymore.” She lowered her voice and leaned toward her friend. “You had an affair with your boss.”

Lucy’s head jerked toward Zoe, making her light brown hair bounce. “And then I married him!” Then, brows dipped, “This has nothing to do with me and everything to do with that woman. Someone should tell her that pretty designs on a bra do not make it a shirt.”

Zoe opened her mouth to speak and then shut it, stopping dead in her tracks. Because just outside the door stood Declan. “What’s wrong,” Lucy said, turning to face Zoe and letting her eyes drift toward the direction of her friend’s. “Ah.” She looked at Zoe and smiled. “Never seen a man have quite an effect on you.”

Turning away from the door, Zoe walked in the other direction as fast as her slim black-skirted dress and high heels would take her. Lucy followed, trying to dig out her ringing cell phone at the same time. “Hello,” she said, answering. “Yes. Drinks. Serendipity. I know. We’re coming.” She mumbled something low and hung up.

Pushing open the bathroom door, Zoe was relieved to find it empty. Inside, she began to pace, as Lucy leaned against a sink and silently watched her. One thing about Lucy, she understood Zoe. She knew she’d talk when she was ready. They’d known each other for years, two girls from opposite sides of town, who found soul sisters in each other.

Another trip across the bathroom and Zoe turned to face Lucy. “That isn’t just some guy.”

“That much I got about the time you bounded for the bathroom door.” “It’s Declan Price.”