“Most of the time the apartment is empty. I’d like for you to stay here until you can get back on your feet.”
She made a series of faces as she thought it over but it was obvious she was tempted. At long last she sighed. “I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Whatever you’re charging, I can’t afford it.”
“I’m not charging you anything.”
“But you don’t know me. And may I remind you that earlier this week you were accusing me of working for the opposition.”
“I talked to Susannah and told her I believed you could be trusted.”
The morning following their dinner at Bertha’s Kitchen, he’d met with his sister and Gil, passing on everything that he’d learned. Susannah had been satisfied, but Gil hadn’t been ready to give up so easily. Several run-ins with Abernathy over the years had left him very suspicious.
“What if I move in and get so comfortable I never move out?” Zoe continued, her arguments growing more desperate.
“I doubt you’re going to do that.”
“You don’t know me,” she repeated, but with less vigor this time.
“So, let’s go have dinner and you can fill me in.”
Ryan had no idea if she was giving his offer serious consideration as they settled in the dining room. His table was large enough to accommodate ten, but Ryan wanted a more intimate meal so he had set two places on one end. With the lights of his modern chandelier dimmed to romantic levels and candles flickering, the mood was intimate and relaxed.
“This is quite nice,” Zoe commented vaguely, her expression unreadable as she sipped a chilled glass of crisp white wine and glanced around.
“Do I make you nervous?” he asked, sensing the ambience wasn’t having its desired effect.
“Yes.”
As much as he wanted to grill her, Ryan held silent, hoping she’d fill the emptiness with explanations.
“It’s all a bit much, don’t you think?”
He shook his head. “I’m not sure I understand what you mean.”
“The offer to move into your house. The romantic dinner.” She leaned back in her chair and regarded him. “I feel as if you’re an advancing hurricane and I waited too long to evacuate.”
“You need a place to stay. I have one. I like helping people.”
“So your sister mentioned a few days ago.” Zoe cocked her head. “She said you tried to help someone last year and it led to the trouble at your company.”
Ryan’s gut clenched and he gave a tight nod. “Kelly Briggs was a disturbed young woman.”
“She cost you millions.”
“Yes.”
“And yet you don’t know me at all and you’re willing to help me out.” Her eyes drilled into him as she searched for answers. “What if the same thing happens again?”
“Will it?”
Before she could answer, they were interrupted by the arrival of the first course delivered by Paul’s cousin. Dallas Shaw had worked for several upscale Charleston restaurants over the years. She was currently a private chef looking for investors so she could open her own restaurant.
The redhead smiled as she set the plates down and began her presentation. “What I have for you to start is smoked salmon toast with petite arugula and cucumber salad. Enjoy.”
“This looks wonderful,” Zoe murmured, taking a bite, her eyes going wide with pleasure.