Page 47 of The Quarterback Sneak

My mother waves her hand before sipping her wine. “I’m not. Your father and I are heading to a business dinner in ten minutes, but when I found out that your new boyfriend was planning on attending, I just had to meet him myself.” She offersher hand to Zach. “It’s been a pleasure. I hope you’ll take us up on our dinner offer soon.”

Zach shakes her hand, and weirdly, she looks happy. It’s disconcerting, and I don’t like it. My mother’s eyes drag from my shoes to my face, and she smiles. “I’m glad you dressed for the occasion.”

“Always. I thought I was going to your business dinner, after all.”

She hums. “We’ll be out until midnight. Olivia promised that she’d work with the maids to make sure the place is spotless for when we return.”

I nod, biting my lip, already feeling the anxiety of ensuring everything is clean. My mother walks away without another word, and I’m left watching her slink into the crowd.

“Hi,” Zach says, tipping his body forward so he’s in my space, and when I turn, he looks through his lashes shyly. “I hope you don’t mind me coming tonight?” His cheeks are slightly pink, and I hate that it feels like my heart is about to pump out of my chest.

So many questions run through my head, but I have no idea where to start. It’s only when I’m accidentally knocked by a student that I take Zach’s hand and lead him to the entrance hall. Shutting the door behind us, only the stifled mutterings from the other side can be heard. “Everything okay?” I hear the uneasiness in his voice, but can I blame him? I haven’t said a word to him yet.

Turning, I look down at his impeccably cut tux and how it emphasizes his perfectly V-shaped torso. He looks delicious. “Where’d you get the tux?” I blurt out. I know for a fact that he wouldn’t have this damn black velvet Gucci number lying around his house.

He drops his eyes to the lapels and laughs. “It’s, uh, Mike’s. He had it for some premiere and let me borrow it. Does it lookokay?” I bite down on my smile, liking he’s a little anxious. It’s so different from how he usually is, and I can’t imagine he would be like this with anyone else but me.

“You look perfect.” That soothes him. “But what are you doing here? I thought you had a family party tonight?”

He swipes his bottom lip with his tongue and closes the space between us. “I’d say a fake girlfriend constitutes as family, wouldn’t you?”

“How long did you know about this party?”

“Since Olivia decided to throw it last month.”

“So you knew it was my birthday on Friday?”

He nods, stuffing his hand into his pocket. “Yup. I was just wondering if you were going to let me know. You didn’t.”

It’s now my turn to blush. “I’m sorry. It’s not because I didn’t want to tell you. It was because I didn’t want you to feel obligated to do something for me just because we’re… you know…” I point between the two of us, my finger wagging aimlessly until I finally drop it to my side.

“I know,” he says with a smile. Zach steps a little closer, close enough to touch, but keeps his hands at his side. “I’m glad Mike knew your dad’s favorite whiskey.”

“You met with my father?”

“Yeah.” He scratches the back of his head. “Uhh, after I told Olivia I could make it, I got a call from your mother asking me to meet her and your dad before the party. I spent the better part of an hour standing in your parents’ wine room trialing different cheeses.” His eyes widen, and he rocks on his heels. “It was an experience, to say the least.” Shaking his head like he’s trying to wipe the memory, he says, “Rich people are so weird. I thought your father would threaten to shoot me like other fathers I’ve met. Yours just stared me down and threatened to financially ruin me if I hurt you. I’ve never been more scared in my life.”

Crinkling my brow, I study Zach’s eager face. “But why did you go to all the trouble? You’re the one that said we should keep our personal lives separate.”

“Yeah, I did. But then I saw how much it meant to you, and I felt like an ass for being so pushy on that point. I wanted to talk to you about it since you seemed a little distant after that but didn’t know how to bring it up.” My heart flutters. I had no idea he thought about me outside our little arrangement. “When your mom called me and invited me to come early to meet your parents, I thought it was a no-brainer. I needed to help you as much as you’re helping me.” He shakes his head, chuckling. “I did not expect to have to give your dad my ten-year life plan, though.”

“And what did you say to that?” I link my hands around his neck, leaning in toward him. Even though we’re alone, he doesn’t seem surprised by the move, and being this close to him feels nice. Natural, even.

Zach’s hands fall to my hips. “Well, I didn’t think he was the kind of guy to believe that I’d be in the NFL in ten years, so I told him my backup plan. Go to St. Michael’s and get an accounting degree. Not glamorous, but I’m all about paying the bills.” He wiggles his eyebrows, and I laugh.

“You’d be the sexiest accountant I’ve ever seen,” I tease but immediately stiffen. Was that too far?

Zach squeezes my hips and drops his forehead onto my shoulder. “He seemed impressed. Gave me his business card and offered me a job straight out of college.”

“You’re kidding?”

“Nah, I’ve always had a way with my girlfriend’s parents.”

“And how many dads have you schmoozed over your lifetime?”

“Too many to count, but only one that matters.” What does he mean by that? He lifts his head when I fall silent. “You’re the only one that matters.” Duh, because if those other girlsmattered, he’d still be dating them and wouldn’t be fake dating me. Still, there’s something niggling in the back of my mind, reminding me of the girl at his house. The sister that seemed all too concerned about his whereabouts.

“There’s something else.” Zach reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a small light-brown pouch. “I, uh, got you this.” He hands me the gift, and I stare at it in awe.

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