To the Moon and Back

Chapter 48




Ellie was on the Internet putting together a complicated travel schedule for Zack’s upcoming trips to Copenhagen and South Africa. So far, the chief problem seemed to be that there were two meetings already arranged, leaving him with roughly twenty minutes to fly from Cape Town to Johannesburg.

Basically, it wasn’t a plane he’d be needing, more like a Tardis.

Zack came downstairs and into the office. ‘Have you seen the email from Bob Nix?’

‘No, but we need to do something about this. Come and have a look.’ She tapped the list of times and dates on the writing pad next to the PC. ‘You organized this meeting and they organized that one. Shall I see if I can shift Cape Town back?’

‘Ah, I see what you mean.’ One hand resting on the desk, Zack leaned over her shoulder in order to study the schedule. ‘Yes, give Anika a call and ask if we can meet first thing in the morning. Do it in a minute,’ he went on, reaching for the mouse and minimizing the site on the computer screen. ‘There’s something else I want to show you.’ Speedily he went to his email account and clicked on the message that had come in just a few minutes earlier.

Ellie focused her attention on the screen. Being so physically close to Zack was causing all kinds of inner havoc. She should be used to it by now but, if anything, it was getting worse. OK, don’t think about the smell of him, the heat from his body, the play of muscles and tendons in his hand as he maneuvered and clicked the mouse…

Hey Zack,





Great job with the SpencerInc deal last week—heard about that from Ted. Impressed.





Bibi asked me to send you the attached photo. She says hi, and can you show Ellie? Sure hope she’s still working for you!





Bob.





‘Go on then.’ Ellie nodded, indicating that he should open the attachment.

A page from a magazine filled the screen. Bob and Bibi had been photographed at a glitzy charity ball in Dallas. Their teeth were dazzling. Bob looked like a huge jovial bear in a dinner suit. Bibi was wearing a silver lamé dress that showed off her spectacular bosom and tiny waist. Her turquoise eyes sparkled. Her hair, piled up in an explosion of curls and ringlets, was fastened in place with silver jeweled combs.

Across the bottom of the photo, Bibi had scribbled: ‘Ellie! I’ve never had so many compliments!’

Ellie smiled. Behind her, she was intensely aware of Zack’s warm breath on the back of her neck.

‘Those hair things.’ He sounded puzzled. ‘They look like the ones you wore that night we met them.’

‘They do a bit.’

Zack peered more closely, his arm brushing her shoulder. ‘They’re exactly the same.’ He shifted position, looked round at Ellie. ‘Are they yours?’

‘Yes.’

‘You gave them to Bibi?’

Ellie flushed; was he cross with her? Embarrassed that she’d given the wife of a billionaire such cheap combs? ‘She said she liked them. I didn’t think she’d actually wear the things.’ She indicated the photo on the screen. ‘Especially not to something like that.’

‘Hey, I’m not complaining.’ Zack straightened and swung her chair round so she was properly facing him. Searching her face, he said, ‘Did you think I was?’

‘I don’t know.’ Ellie felt herself getting flustered; when Zack was looking at her like this, it was hard to concentrate. ‘After I got home I thought I probably shouldn’t have done it.’ God, really hard to concentrate. ‘I mean, you wouldn’t believe how cheap they were… I just hope no one lets on to Bibi… people might laugh at her for wearing them and then she’ll be mortified.’

‘Can I just say something?’ Zack cut through her babbling. ‘Bibi’s a smart lady who knows her own mind. She wears whatever she wants to wear and I wouldn’t want to be the one who tried to laugh at her. Apart from anything else, she has a black belt in karate.’

‘Haven’t we all,’ said Ellie.

He did a slight double take. ‘Have you?’

‘That’s for me to know and you to find out.’ She didn’t have a black belt but had got as far as green at the age of fourteen. Once you’d got that far you could always fake the rest.

‘Now I’m scared.’ He smiled briefly. ‘Anyway, it was a nice thing to do. Bob and Bibi liked you very much.’

‘I liked them.’ Ellie shifted in her swivel chair; had the atmosphere changed? For the past few weeks Zack had been distant and businesslike. But now he was leaning against the desk, his leg inches from hers, and it was as if all the tension had melted away. There was a softening in his manner, a return to the laid-back, relaxed Zack who had cared for her and been such easy company while she’d been ill with the flu.

In fact, maybe even more than that. Was it her imagination or was he looking at her almost as if there was something he wanted to say but didn’t know quite how to say it? Or did she just wish there was? Oh Lord, was she doing it again, conjuring up fantasies like a deluded Take That fan?

‘You never know, something like this could make all the difference.’ Zack picked up the diary and idly flipped through the pages. ‘Bob’s looking for a partner in a new electronics company. He might ask me to go in with him. If he does, I’ll need to fly out to Texas for a week or two, probably early December.’ He frowned, deep in thought. ‘You know, it’d be pretty hectic. Lots to do, workwise and socially. I might need you to come out with me.’

Eeeeeep, yelped a little voice in Ellie’s head. A trip to Texas with Zack! Oh God, what if they took an overnight flight and had to sleep next to each other on the plane?

Except that wasn’t actually likely to happen, was it? He’d probably be cocooned in luxury up there in business class, while she’d be squashed into economy at the back of the plane, surrounded by screaming kids.

Aloud she said, ‘That’s fine.’

He was watching her intently. ‘Sure it won’t interfere with your plans?’

He thought she was still seeing Joe. Was this the moment to tell him it was over? But if she did, would he just assume she’d been dumped again? Ellie shook her head. ‘It’s my job. Not a problem, no problem at all.’

‘Good, good.’ He carried on turning the pages of the diary. She saw him check his appointments for September. There at the end of the month was the weekend of his sister’s wedding. He flicked on past without saying anything. It hadn’t been mentioned since the day he’d asked her to go with him. Had he forgotten about inviting her? Was he hoping she’d forgotten? Had he made arrangements to take someone else?

Was this why he was in a better mood? Ellie’s stomach clenched with anxiety. Just because Zack hadn’t talked to her about it didn’t mean it wasn’t happening.

Right, ask him.

‘Er…’ Bugger, her throat had gone funny and her mouth was dry. Pushing back her chair, she said, ‘Cup of tea?’ It would be easier to ask the question when he wasn’t so close.

‘Thanks.’ But when she went into the kitchen, he followed her. Right, just get it over with. Ellie threw tea bags into two mugs. ‘So what’s happening with your sister’s wedding?’

‘Utter chaos.’ Zack visibly relaxed. ‘A million things to do and not nearly enough time to do it in. The twins are refusing to be bridesmaids unless they can wear trainers that light up. Plus, they want the dogs to walk up the aisle with them. Steph’s tearing her hair out. But it’ll all get sorted out in the end.’

The tea bags fizzed and filled with air as Ellie poured boiling water on to them. ‘Look, if you don’t need me for that anymore, it’s fine.’

‘Why?’ Zack stiffened. ‘Don’t you want to come?’

‘No… I mean yes…’ Stirring too vigorously, she sploshed tea over the worktop.

‘Is it Joe?’

‘No, I just thought you might have someone else you’d rather take.’ Honestly, did he have any idea how hard it was to sound casual when he was looking at her like this?

‘Someone else like who?’

She may as well say it. ‘OK, I saw the postcard that arrived for you the other week. From Australia. I wasn’t being nosy,’ Ellie went on hurriedly, ‘I just couldn’t help seeing what it said.’

‘The one from Meg.’ She caught a glimmer of a smile. ‘What makes you think I’d want to take her along to Steph’s wedding?’

‘Well, she used to be your girlfriend. And she seemed pretty keen to see you again.’ OK, she sounded so nosy. ‘Look, sorry, but it makes things easier if I know what’s going on.’

‘Nothing’s going on.’ Zack took the milk out of the fridge and passed it to her. ‘You’re right, Meg was pretty keen. I met up with her for a drink at the Queen’s Head the other evening. It was nice to see her again, catch up with her news, but that’s as far as it goes. There’s no way we’ll be getting back together.’

‘Oh. Right.’

‘And I definitely won’t be inviting her to come along to Steph’s wedding.’

Milk. Slosh. Milk. Bigger slosh. Whoops. Flustered, Ellie said, ‘So you still want me?’

Oh God, did I really just say that?

After a moment, Zack replied evenly, ‘Yes. If you still want to go.’

Oo-er. Was it her or was it getting hot in here?

‘I do want to. I’m looking forward to it.’ The way he was watching her was having a strange effect on her knees. ‘Meeting your family.’

‘It’ll be good fun. You may need earplugs,’ said Zack, ‘but you will like them. You’ll get on really well together.’

And now he was looking at her mouth. Was this how it felt to be hypnotized? Barely able to think straight, Ellie murmured, ‘They sound great,’ and wondered if she’d said it right or if her lips had gone all rubbery and completely lost control of themselves. Was she making any sense or was it all coming out as blah-blah-blah? And still he was gazing at her in such a way that it was almost as if—

‘Woof ! Woof-woof !’