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By the time she returned to the living room, Zach was once more shut off in his office.
Trying not to let it affect her mood, she returned to the living room and continued working.
* * *
He walked into the kitchen as she was uncorking the bottle of red Keely had chosen from Zach’s extensive wine collection.He’d changed out of his shorts and T-shirt into a pair of slim black chinos and another indigo shirt.
He crossed over to her side, took the bottle from her and carried on with the task.
“Everything okay, Miss Benson?”His glance held a touch of wariness, which Bethany found cute.
Keely rolled her eyes.“It’s fine, Savage, you can call me Keely, I won’t bite.As to my state of being, it’s nothing a hot new interesting boyfriend won’t cure.The men I’ve been attracting lately bore me rigid.”
Zach nodded seriously.“I know a few guys.I’ll make some calls.”
Keely’s eyes widened.“Whoa, hold your horses there, Savage.I can find my own dates, thanks.”
“And I can put you in the position where you can assess and select your next… conquest.”
Keely’s head whipped to where Bethany stood at the kitchen counter.“Is he seriously trying to set me up?”Without waiting for an answer, she turned back to Zach.“I bet you can’t find me one hardcore nerd among all your high-flying friends.”
“Is that a challenge?”
Bethany groaned.“Oh, God.”
Zach lifted a brow at her, and Keely glanced between them.“What did I say?”
“He devours challenges for breakfast.And more often than not, he sees one where there is none.”
“Oh.Right.Well.”Keely smiled, and Bethany watched Zach’s reaction to her friend’s traffic-stopping smile.To his credit, he didn’t react.She released a breath she hadn’t realized was trapped in her throat.
“If your heart is set on winning some sort of challenge,” Keely added, “then by all means, have at it.”
“What are you doing next weekend?”
“Why?”
“We’ll be in Amalfi.I’ll fly you over, and you can join us for a dinner party.I’ll invite a few friends.”
Keely’s mouth dropped open.Bethany tried to keep hers from following suit.“Umm, I’ll check my calendar and let you know.”Her gaze met Bethany’s with aWTF just happenedexpression clear in her eyes.Bethany fought not to laugh.
Zach poured the first glass and offered it to her.Then he slid one to Keely and set the bottle on the counter.Going to the fridge, he took out a bottle of water for himself and walked over to Bethany.His kiss was short and sweet but no less mind-altering.
“Thai food will be here in forty-five minutes.Is that okay?”
She nodded.“Great.Thanks.”
He nodded to Keely and walked his fine ass out of the kitchen.
Bethany eyed her best friend.“Are we good?”
Keely rolled her eyes.“Of course.My diva fit needed to be thrown, but I’d never stand in the way of you going after what you want.You know that, right?”
Bethany nodded.“Thank you.”
Keely glanced back at her.“So,” she drawled, thoughtfully passing a forefinger over the rim of her wineglass.“He doesn’t really strike me as a ruthless killer of first wives.”
“He isn’t,” Bethany replied, the knowledge a rock-solid certainty in her gut.