8. Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Claire

From all the news articles, pictures, and video of Zach, I wouldn't have pegged him as a crazy, wild, and fun dancer, but he let loose on the dance floor. His confidence is contagious and I'm so comfortable around him I can't help but join him in his antics.

My family can get a little wild and he fits in. Aunt Jean even cozies up to him in a slow dance that has my heart melting. She's feisty, and he treats her with respect and care. I love it. He makes everything tip on its axis as I envision a future with him, making me excited and scared.

"You have yourself a keeper, honey." My mom wraps her arm around me.

My heart drops as he isn't mine to keep, and I didn't think this all the way through because now my family will get worried all over again when Zach fades out of my life. At first I figured it'll be okay because I'll be fine, but I might not be because I'm falling for him and I can't do anything about it. This is fake. Our situationship was always meant to be fake.

"I've never seen you light up as much as you do when you're with him. It's all I've ever wanted for you." My mom hugs me before walking over to my dad. I snag a server who's passing by and grab a champagne flute, down the glass, and take a second.

I'm not a drinker, but it's all becoming too much and once this evening is over, Zach is gone.

I'm a little dizzy as Zach helps me into my apartment. The champagne wasn't such a great idea. He leans me against the wall beside my door.

"Okay, sweetheart, which key is it?"

"You know, I can do it. I'm not drunk-drunk, just a little drunk." I pinch my fingers together as I squint at my hand.

Why are there ten fingers on one hand? Huh. Strange.

Zach's sexy laugh consumes me making me fall into a puddle of goodness, and I study him as the ideal man as I fawn all over him.

"You're so beautiful, you know that."

"Ha. No, sweetheart, you hold that title."

Pouting, I shake my head. "Nope. It's you. You're the dream," I exhale and lean my head against the wall, closing my eyes. I'm tired.

Zach gets the door open and I cheer, even though it's weak with sleepiness.

"Okay, sweetheart." He lifts me into his arms and I gasp, "No, stop. Put me down. I'm too heavy."

"Nonsense. You're perfect. Now let's get you to bed."

"Hmmm. Bed, that's nice."

His lips touch my forehead. Swoon. The comfortable mattress is beneath me, I bury my head into my pillow, and inhale. Zach takes off my shoes and wraps a throw around me.

"Are you going to be okay, sweetheart?"

"Hmmm." I fade into dreamland, the last thing I remember is his soft lips on my cheek.

Zach

My phone buzzes in my pocket, startling me awake. I lift my head, look around, scrubbing my face with my hands as I watch Claire snore softly in her bed. Last night, I wasn't comfortable leaving her, so I pulled a chair over, settling in after I filled an enormous glass of water, and found her some pain meds for the killer headache she's bound to have.

It was fun watching her let loose and just be. She's an adorable drunk, and easy to see she doesn't imbibe very often. The fact she felt safe to drink with me means a lot.

I check my phone, and curse as I read about a pipe bursting at the new hotel. I need to head over to check the damage. Every property and investment in this town means a lot to me, so I'm more involved than most investors who wait everything out.

Finding pen and paper, I jot down a quick note, leaving it on the bedside table with everything else. I wish I made her drink a full glass of water before she fell asleep last night, but she zonked out on me and waking her wasn't an option.

She's gorgeous, inside and out. I can't wait to see her again, because there is no way it won't happen.

The need to touch her is strong, so I stroke her soft cheek and grasp some of her hair twirling it around my finger as I kiss her forehead.

A day won't go by where my lips won't touch her in some fashion. I'm going to make sure of it.

"I'll be back later," I whisper, not wanting to wake her. I let myself out of her apartment and lock up behind me. The sooner I get this taken care of, the sooner I'm back here with my girl.