Page 70 of The Wrong Promise

“To clarify, when I spoke about work ethics, it was to the staff who were on their computer watching sports or playing games. Or the ones who would leave and think no one noticed. It was taken out of context.”

She offers a small smile. “To be fair, a shake-up was warranted, so don’t feel bad. I’ll feel worse if you catch this from me.” She pushes her matted hair behind her ears.

“Where’s your brush?”

She narrows her eyes at me. “In the bathroom. Why? And for the record, I don’t care what I look like.”

“That’s evident,” I say teasingly. “I’m going to brush your hair.”

“No way,” she calls out. Her bathroom drawers are a mess. After a few minutes of scurrying in her drawers with makeup, jewelry, and God knows what else filled to the brim, I locate her brush and then go and sit behind her. She holds out her hand. “I’m capable of brushing my own hair.”

“I know. Allow me to do this for you.” She huffs, and for once, she doesn’t have the energy to argue. I slowly detangle her long brown hair.

“This is unusually soothing,” she whispers. “No one has brushed my hair like this for me since I was a child.”

I kiss the top of her head. “I’ll do anything to help you get better, baby.”

Baby?

I never use that word. Yet it feels good saying it to Zara.

20

ZARA

Three days before the gala,I am finally feeling like myself again.

To my surprise, Jobe has booked a makeup artist and a hairdresser to come to his penthouse on the day of the gala. Tomorrow night, I have a manicure and pedicure appointment. I feel spoiled beyond anything I have ever known. We haven’t been intimate in weeks, and yet, everything he does for me shows me he cares, and it’s confusing the hell out of me.

Tomorrow, the cleaners are coming before Penny and Franklin arrive. We spoke a week ago, and I promised her I’d be better by the time they get here. My stomach is in knots over how Jobe will act toward me when they’re here because I don’t want the pampering to stop.

While they know we are fake dating, they know nothing about our fling—one that will end after the ball.

This week, Jobe returned to the office to work. He nevergot sick, which surprised me as he was close to me the entire time. I’m working from home for another week and returning to the office next week. Piper said there is barely any staff in the office, though most of us will be returning on Monday.

My cell makes the familiar FaceTime sound.

Penny.

“Hi, honey.” I assume she is calling and about to get on their jet, but her face is pale, and she looks like crap. “Are you okay?”

“Hi, Zara,” she says with a hoarse voice. “I have the flu…” She breaks into a coughing fit. “I’m so sorry. I really wanted to be better and come and see you. I need a Zara hug.”

“Oh, babe, I’m so sorry.” I feel so bad for her and understand how awful it feels when you’re unwell. “I was hoping to see you too. At least I’ll get to see you soon when I’m home for Christmas.”

She forces a smile. “I’m looking forward to it.” She rubs at her red eyes. “I have no idea how I caught this. I haven’t been this sick in a decade.”

“You’re a mom and working big hours for Franklin and Jobe. Be kind to yourself, Pen. It’s natural to get rundown when you’re a new mother.”

She smiles, and this time, it reaches her eyes. “I love you, Zee.”

“And I love you.”

“You’ll have to tell me how the gala is. Send photos,” she says with a little more enthusiasm.

“I will. Jobe has arranged for makeup and hair to come to the penthouse. It’s weird being fussed over.”

She smiles. “The Hendricks men like to splash their money around.” Her eyes round. “It’s weird Jobe is doing it for you.”

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