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“Who were you talking to?” I wanted him to answer quickly so he wouldn’t have time to make anything up.

“That was Bella. She finally got Chad to approve of her watchingGoblet of Fireand is now trying to find a day for us to actually watch it before he changes his mind.”

No one could come up with that on the spot. It was impossible. Finally I was able to breathe properly.

“Right!” My shoulders slumped. My whole body seemed to unwind and relax. When had all my muscles knotted up? Zachary owed me nothing. We weren’t exclusive. My behavior wasn’t warranted, and I started feeling embarrassed at my actions. “I’m so, so sorry.”

He was still frowning. “What just happened?”

I shook my head. “Nothing. I just came in here and...”

“Heard me talking on the phone, and you assumed what?”

I closed my eyes for a beat and then opened them again. “I didn’t think you were talking to your niece.”

“You thought I’d be making plans with another woman while you’re still in my house?”

“When you put it like that, it sounds callous.”

“Itwouldbe callous,” he said in a strong voice, “and not something I’d ever do.”

“I know. Ignore me. You don’t owe me anything, I’m not sure why I’m acting like this.”Oh God.I was full-on embarrassed right now.

“Grace, don’t. You jumped to conclusions for a reason, and I don’t like it.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “It was the first thing that came to mind. I’m sorry. I didn’t want to offend you, but I don’t know you that well, do I?”

Zachary’s frown melted. Instead, he flashed me a very seductive smile. “That’s right, you don’t. But we’ll change that.”

“How?”

“First things first, let’s head out and grab breakfast.”

I rubbed my eyes. “I’m not exactly dressed for breakfast. My dress is a dead giveaway that it’s a... you know... morning-after kind of thing.”

“So? I’ll be right there with you. Everyone will know you’ve been with me.” He came closer. “That you’re mine. They won’t know exactly what I did to you.”

I blushed. “I hope not, but they’ll imagine. Don’t you have any breakfast food in the fridge?”

“I don’t have anything in the fridge. Period.”

That couldn’t possibly be true. He had one of those double-door monsters.

“Really? You don’t cook at all?”

“Icancook. I choose not to. I eat a lot of takeout. And I go down to LeBlanc & Broussard’s fairly often when I’m at the office or have stuff sent up.”

“You’ve just described my life for the past year. Although, I do enjoy cooking.” My stomach took that exact moment to grumble. “Damn, I am hungry. I’ll go put my clothes on. Have to say, that dress looks good, but it’s not very comfortable.”

“Then let’s head to your place. You can change into something else, and then we can find somewhere to go on your side of town.”

“Ooooh, there’s a bakery with the best bagels next to my building,” I told him.

“Perfect. Do you have other plans for today?”

“Yes. I’m going to drop by my parents’ house later.”

“Are they out of the city today?” he asked.