Bride by Mistake (20 page)

“That Ian sees our relationship as a romance. And you see it as a disaster.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Never mind,” he said. “One thing is certain. We won’t say anything to Gram. I won’t ruin the happiest birthday she’s ever had.”

“We’ll handle the situation any way you wish, sir.”

“For now, we’ll pretend this discussion never took place. Ian, you’d better take the scones to the parlor before Gram comes to check on us.”

“I’m afraid they’re cold now.”

“Cold scones are the least of our problems,” Zach said. “I suggest we go and rejoin Gram.”

As Zach escorted Liza from the kitchen, he realized that although all the scheming had been unnecessary, if Ian hadn’t set the stage, Zach would never have fallen for Liza. They’d have proceeded with their friendship and missed out on the romance.

For the first time ever, Ian had spoken frankly about his personal life. Being consumed by his career had cost him the woman he loved. Zach had buried himself in his work after Denise had left. Was he following the same path as Ian?

“There you are,” Gram said as they came back to the parlor. “I was ready to send out a search party. What happened to the scones?”

“Ian will bring them in a minute,” Liza said.

Gram smiled. “Good. Let’s finish off this perfect evening with scones and tea.”

Zach dutifully ate a scone and sipped his tea. But his thoughts whirled faster than a spinning top. Now that there was no need to pretend, he must decide how he really felt about Liza. Was their relationship a romance, or was it a disaster?

He’d have to figure that one out for himself.

Meg tried to chat pleasantly with Eloise and Zach, but she could barely keep up her end of the conversation. She forced herself to listen and to make coherent responses.

The charade Liza had pulled her into had turned Meg’s world topsy-turvy. All she wanted now was to rejoin the real world. The world that didn’t include a pretend engagement. And certainly didn’t include Zach Addison.

But deep in her heart, Meg knew trouble lay ahead. Once she left Kansas City, she would miss Zach terribly. One week with the man had changed her life.

Was Liza right for once? Had Meg fallen in love with Zach? She shivered as she considered that possibility. It was hard to admit even to herself.

Eloise gazed at her with concern. “My dear, you seem tired.”

Meg forced a smile. “I guess the excitement wore me out.”

“Zachary, take your fiancée home,” Eloise said. “It’s been an emotion-packed evening for us all.”

The understatement of the century
, Meg thought. “I would like to go home, Zach,” she said. “If you don’t mind driving me.”

He stood. “My pleasure.”

Meg doubted it was “his pleasure” to take her home. He’d probably dump her on the doorstep and take off running. As she’d feared, their pretend world had spiraled out of control, and she hadn’t even confessed yet. Meg sighed, knowing the worst was just ahead.

Ian’s deception seemed like child’s play compared with her own. It was way past time to reveal her true identity and tell Zach she was Meg O’Malley—Liza’s twin sister.

Zach didn’t dump Meg on the doorstep after all. He got out of the Cadillac and escorted her to the front door. A gentleman
to the bitter end. And he totally surprised her when he suggested they sit on the porch swing.

They settled side by side, and Zach set the swing in motion. It squeaked, adding some sound to the otherwise silent night.

“It’s been quite an evening,” he finally said.

“Yes, it has. And I’m sorry, Zach. I should have told you about Ian’s confession last night. I know you’re angry with me.”

He shrugged. “It’ll pass. While Ian took his loyalty too far, no one got hurt in the process.”

“But you wouldn’t have proposed if you’d known.”

“That’s true. But Ian said something tonight that made me think.”

Meg’s heart beat faster as Zach spoke. She’d expected him to scold her for keeping Ian’s secret. But if she was being scolded, it didn’t feel like it. “What did Ian say?”

“That our romance wasn’t real to begin with but it became real. That’s true, Liza. We started out as friends, but we both know that changed.”

She wanted to deny his statement, but she’d be lying again.

“What we did was for Gram,” he said. “But I can’t remember when I’ve felt so happy. Or cared about a woman the way I care for you.”

Meg’s emotions hit overload. She couldn’t let him say any more. Not until he knew the truth. “Wait, Zach,” she begged, “please wait. I have something important to tell you.”

“If you’re going to deny we have feelings for each other, save your breath.”

“But—”

Before Meg could tell Zach the truth, he placed his finger over her lips. “Hush, Liza. Just hush.”

When he reached out and stroked her cheek, Meg drew a surprised breath. Then he leaned toward her and kissed her forehead. Lightly. Like the brush of a butterfly’s wing. Meg shivered with pleasure.

“Can you honestly say you don’t feel anything when I touch you?” he asked.

“But, Zach—”

“No arguments, Liza. I mean it.”

He continued caressing her cheek and his gentle touch set Meg on fire. “Ian saw through our situation quite clearly,” Zach affirmed. “Our relationship did change. I’m falling in love with you.”

All thoughts of confession vanished as she listened to Zach’s words. When he bent to kiss her, really kiss her, Meg couldn’t have pulled away if she tried. She needed this chance to feel Zach’s love. Even if it wasn’t real. Even if it wasn’t for her.

He drew her close, and Meg leaned into his strong embrace. As their lips met, she breathed in his wonderful scent. Every fiber of her being came alive when she was in Zach’s arms.

The power in his kiss defied description. It was the kind of kiss you watch in old movies, where passion shines from the actors’ eyes. Once again electricity sparked between them.

When the kiss ended, Zach trailed his fingers through Meg’s hair. His eyes shone in the soft moonlight as he studied her tenderly. “So be honest. Are we just friends?”

Meg couldn’t lie. Not again. “That was a lover’s kiss,” she said.

“I’m glad we got that settled. I love you, Liza.”

“And I love you, Zach.”

He kissed her again, gently yet passionately. Meg would forever treasure that kiss because it would be their last. What she was about to tell Zach would end this magical time and abort any future they might have shared.

“Zach, I have something to tell you.”

“Whatever it is, can’t it wait until tomorrow? Our relationship has been in such turmoil, and we finally have it right. I want to fall asleep tonight knowing I love you and you love me.”

Pain sliced through Meg’s heart. Could she postpone her confession again? The weight of pretending felt too heavy to bear.

But Zach looked so happy, so much at peace. Trust shone from his gray eyes. Genuine trust. After all they’d been through, Meg couldn’t drop another bomb on the man. Not just yet.

“When will I see you?” she asked.

“How about lunch tomorrow?”

Meg nodded as the pain in her heart intensified. “I’ll tell you then.”

“Good night, my love. Sleep well.” Zach kissed her gently. Then he walked to his car and drove away.

The swing felt empty now—as if Zach had never been there. Was this time with him just an illusion? A figment of her imagination?

She sat outside for a long time reliving their conversation. Zach loved her! While that was impossible, his love felt real. And Meg knew she loved him with all her heart.

Like Zach, she wanted to bask in the glow of that love a little longer. At lunch tomorrow she’d tell him she wasn’t Liza. Then Zach would walk away and never look back. Meg shuddered, wondering if she could bear the pain.

A surge of resentment suddenly swept through her, and she felt furious with her sister. Both Meg and Zach would end up with broken hearts thanks to Liza’s little scheme. This whole nightmare would never have happened if they’d told the truth up front. But would Liza listen to her? No. Did Liza ever listen to her? No. Meg got up and stormed into the house.

It was past midnight when she dialed Liza’s number. Meg knew Liza turned in promptly at ten, but she couldn’t care less. “I’m resigning as your sister,” she said when Liza answered the phone. “Find someone else.”

“Is that you, Meg? Have you lost your mind?” Liza mumbled.

“I’ve lost everything—my identity, my life, and quite possibly my mind. I’ve made up so many stories even I don’t recognize the truth. I barely remember who I am.”

Liza yawned. “Then let me tell you. You’re my identical twin sister. And I’ve matched you to your perfect man.”

“You mean you tricked him into falling in love. But it’s you Zach loves, not me.”

“Wrong. Zach sees me as a kid sister. That’s all I’ve ever been to him.”

“Oh, Liza. Things get worse every minute. Tonight Zach said he’s in love with me.”

Liza had the audacity to giggle. “See, I told you. I played Cupid, and now you two will end up married.” Her sister had the nerve to gloat. Meg almost hung up on her.

“You can’t fall in love with someone you don’t really know. And Zach doesn’t know the real me.”

“Did he propose?”

“He announced our fake engagement at Eloise’s party. There’s a big difference. But I am wearing a huge diamond on the third finger of my left hand.” Meg could have cried as she gazed at the gorgeous piece of jewelry that didn’t belong to her.

“Meg, that’s awesome. Tell me everything.”

So she did, realizing her life had become a soap opera run rampant. It didn’t contain a grain of truth.

“Congratulations, sis. What did Zach say when you told him about our little switch?”

“I tried to tell him again tonight, and this time Zach stopped me. Liza, I’ve lost total control of my life.”

“Can’t you see the bright side? This turn of events has benefits.”

“Like what?”

“Zach’s grandmother isn’t sick.”

“True. That makes me very happy. But you said
benefits
. As in plural.”

The line went silent. Meg could picture Liza with a contemplative look on her face. Since it was midnight, her twin’s brain processed information at a slower rate of speed.

“Well?”

“I’m thinking. How about this? After you and Zach straighten things out, you can begin a real relationship. With no pressure.”

“Do you honestly think he’ll trust me once he knows? Zach endured enough trickery from Denise to last him a lifetime.”

“But this is different. Denise took advantage of him from the moment they met. She did nothing but plot against him.”

“And what about me? I’ve done nothing but lie to him.”

The situation suddenly overwhelmed Meg. She’d painted herself into a corner, and she couldn’t escape. “I’ve got to go, Liza,” she said. “I can’t think about this anymore tonight.”

“So what’s your game plan?”

“I’ll see Zach at lunch tomorrow and tell him the truth. Then I’ll pack my bags and come home. And don’t you ever, ever ask me to impersonate you again, Liza O’Malley. Is that perfectly clear?”

Her twin sighed. “Yes, Meg. It’s perfectly clear.”

Early the next morning Zach pounded on Liza’s front door. No way could he wait until lunchtime to see her. While it was only seven thirty, Liza got up earlier than anyone on the planet. The woman finished her exercise routine before most folks hit their snooze buttons.

Zach paced the front porch, waiting for Liza to appear. He couldn’t wait to see her dressed in those svelte workout clothes with every hair miraculously in place. Even after a workout.

Excitement coursed through him. Last night he and Liza had confessed their love for each other. Liza—the woman he’d thought of as his kid sister—was the woman he loved.

And it felt wonderful! It felt right. Zach had never expected to fall in love again—certainly not with his best friend.

He pounded again. He couldn’t wait another moment to see her and to hold her in his arms.

After what seemed an eternity, the front door opened a crack and a homeless woman peered out. Wrapped in a tattered chenille robe, the woman had mascara smeared beneath her eyes. Every hair on her head pointed in a different direction. When she saw him, her mouth dropped open. Zach took a step back, wondering if he was at the wrong house.