There was a slight rise and fall of her breasts as Zoe gulped. “What?”
“How ’bout we follow you all?” Will asked Ramon, who sent a head nod as an answer.
So much for trying to keep his distance from Zoe, Will thought. “I hope your heart wasn’t set on driving in the van.”
Zoe chewed on her bottom lip before rolling her eyes. “Fine, but don’t try that old trick of running out of gas on a country road.”
The warm air filled his lungs when he took in a deep breath at the sight of her long legs in her dress as she wiggled away. “Yeah, well, so far every road around here is a country road.”
“Cute,” Zoe called over her shoulder.
Will took a few long strides and caught up with her before she reached the passenger’s side of the car. “Let me get that for you,” he said, leaning down. The motion brought him closer to her ear. He was sure the sweet magnolia smell came from Zoe.
“Thanks,” she said, glancing up.
And he was supposed to stay away from her? Even if Zoe earned the title of CDD, Will wasn’t sure he would be able to. She was intoxicating. He inhaled once more before closing the car door after she was secured inside. Will walked around the car to get to his spot. The engine purred to life and he maneuvered down the drive to catch up with the van.
While Zoe pointed out various historic sites, Will enjoyed listening to her speak. During the interview she’d been so poised and proper. Right now, the country air relaxed her. She smiled and his world lit up. At one point while they were driving, Will almost ran off the road watching Zoe pull her thick black hair loose from the bun at the top of her head.
She asked for the top to be put down so they could enjoy the morning sun. The women he usually dated did not appreciate the top being down. And the women he’d dated in the past did not sing along with the songs on the radio. Zoe sang absentmindedly and made no apology when she got half the lyrics wrong.
Entertained, he followed the van closely and they stopped for lunch at a local restaurant. During the tour, they passed the First Bank of Southwood, which Lexi’s parents owned. Like many businesses in Overtown, businesses in Southwood had begun due to the lack of support from other places. Will and Zoe passed Lexi’s shop, Grits and Glam Gowns, in front of which a crowd of girls lined the sidewalk. Strange, considering it was a school day.
A lush park across the street from the shop was filled with kids kicking around a large red ball. Plastic lined a baseball diamond so the kids could slide into the bases for a large game of kickball–Slip ’N Slide. They drove by the courthouse and the town square where, according to legend, Confederate and union soldiers decided to stop fighting and live peacefully together. The town had its history, Will thought. The best part of the tour was Zoe. She was a natural spokesperson, something to consider for the job.
After putting the car in Park under a shady weeping willow, Will strolled over to his personal tour guide’s side of the car to let her out.
“Thank you,” Zoe said breathlessly.
“You okay?”
“I just realized I missed breakfast this morning and got a little lightheaded.” Zoe swooned and Will wrapped his arms around her waist. The move was innocent enough, but touching her evoked so much temptation. She was ill, and here he was thinking about pinning her against the car and kissing her.
They stood, eyes locked. Zoe lightly pressed her hands against his chest. She wasn’t pushing him away, though, and the urge to take her hand in his to kiss the palm or her fingertips overcame him. Will closed his fingers around her left hand and started to bring it to his lips.
Some of the guests from the van were spilling out, glancing in their direction. His brain switched to business mode. If Zoe got the job, this embrace might be misconstrued. If she didn’t get the job, she could sue for sexual harassment. Will finally understood her dilemma.
“Are you okay now?” Will asked her, reluctantly letting her go.
With pink cheeks, Zoe nodded. “Thanks for not letting me fall,” she said.
“Never. Now let’s get us something to eat before you faint.”
* * *
Seated across the table from the world’s most handsome man, Zoe tried to concentrate on what the other guests at the table were talking about. Most of the people invited were a part of the team Lexi had put together to help design, build and judge the upcoming Miss Southwood Glitz Pageant. Miss South Georgia opted to stay behind with her mother.