The Unintended Fiancé (Captured by Love Book 4) (24 page)
Read The Unintended Fiancé (Captured by Love Book 4) Online
Authors: Miranda P. Charles
Tags: #friends with benefits, #workplace romance, #millionaire romance, #friends to lovers, #Fake engagement
“Remind me again why we made that stupid resolution?” Brenna asked.
“First, because we were crazy-drunk,” Gemma said with a laugh. “And second, because it’s been five New Year’s Eves in a row that all five of us didn’t have anyone to kiss at the stroke of midnight. And don’t forget we’ve pinky-promised on this.”
“Anyone already on your radar, girls?” Rebecca asked curiously.
Her friends shook their heads.
“We still have eleven months to go before the next New Year’s Eve,” Amanda said.
“And remember, the whole point is for us to
make an effort
instead of sitting on our butts waiting for them to fall on our laps,” Sarah said.
“And not letting our exes or painful pasts get in the way,” Gemma said, looking pointedly at Rebecca. “It’s all about moving forward to find our happily ever after.”
They all nodded in agreement.
Rebecca was actually glad of this pact she’d made with her four best friends. It was giving her the much-needed push and motivation to move on from Zach. She loathed to admit it, even to herself, but a big part of her still pined for him constantly.
Well, no use crying over something she couldn’t undo. She’d try to give herself—and love—another chance. She’d start dating again and finally push Zach away from her heart and mind. It was about time she did.
*****
“H
i, Granny.”
“Zach! I’m so glad you could join me for dinner tonight, dear.” Magda put down her cup of tea and motioned for Zach to bend down to her.
Zach kissed Magda and sat beside her. “Unfortunately I have things to finish off tonight so I’m just here to say hello. Are you looking forward to the start of your month-long eightieth birthday celebration tomorrow?”
“Of course. I’m so excited I probably won’t be able to sleep tonight. And I’m glad you’re going with me, Zach. You’ve been working far too hard lately. You deserve a break.”
Zach laughed. “I’m young and energetic, Gran. You don’t need to worry about me. But I want to let you know I can’t stay for the whole month. I’ll be disembarking in Hong Kong in two weeks.”
“What? Why can’t you stay for the whole month? I thought you would.”
“I have work to do and important meetings to attend, Gran,” he said in a contrite voice.
“Why can’t you do your work from the ship? I was assured electronic communication from there would be reliable wherever in the world we are.”
“The coverage might be patchy if we’re at sea,” he reasoned. “Besides, Jeff and Greg will join us from the Philippines so there’s a few days when we’re all together before I leave. You know it’s not a good idea for the three of us to be absent from the company at the same time for long periods.”
“Zachary, just because you’re the CEO of our company, and Jeff is the COO and Greg the CFO, those titles shouldn’t stop you boys from being my grandsons. I’m already disappointed that your brothers won’t be joining me for the whole duration of this trip, but I thought
you
were. You haven’t had a single day’s break for months! This is the first time I’ve seen you in weeks and I was hoping the cruise was my opportunity to spend some time with you,” Magda said a little tremulously.
Zach pressed his lips, guilt eating at him. Spending time with her grandsons brought Magda the joy and comfort their family’s wealth couldn’t give. He knew that for all of his grandmother’s exuberance and resilience of spirit, she still acutely mourned the loss of her husband, her only son, and her daughter-in-law. Heck, even he still missed his grandfather and his parents terribly. That horrific light plane accident two years ago that had cruelly robbed them of three people they loved dearly was not something any of them would ever forget. And special occasions like Magda’s eightieth birthday always brought back the best and worst of the memories.
He rubbed his chin, wavering in his decision to make the trip short. The weekly phone calls, he knew, didn’t make up for his recent physical absence.
“Okay, Gran,” he said, grasping Magda’s hand. “I’ll make arrangements so I can do my work on board the ship and stay with you for the whole month.”
“Oh, thank you, Zach. I do miss you, you know,” Magda said delightedly.
“I know,” he responded as he got up. “I have to go and tidy up a few things before we leave tomorrow.”
“Okay. Make sure you’re free to join us for dinner tomorrow night—our first night on the ship.”
“Who’s ‘us’, by the way?”
“Well, there’s your Grand-Auntie Miriam,” Magda responded.
Zach nodded, not minding the thought of spending time with Magda’s younger sister.
“And I’ve invited Phillip Lee.”
Zach hid his grimace, not looking forward to socialising with the man. Phillip had been the bearer of hurtful news that Zach would rather forget, and lately, he’d been noticing repressed antagonism from Phillip directed toward him.
But Phillip’s late mother was Magda’s best friend, and Phillip was someone that Magda considered a nephew even though he wasn’t blood related.
“That’s very surprising that you’ve asked him to come,” he commented casually.
“I felt sorry for him,” Magda said with a sigh. “Did you know that the company he worked for went bankrupt a month ago?”
“Yes, I’ve heard about that,” Zach said. Phillip had been hounding him and his brothers for a job at The Carmichael Corporation.
“Well, he was telling me the other day how lost and lonely he felt. So I asked him to join us. I’m paying for his expenses.”
Zach simply nodded. His grandmother had a heart of gold.
“I’ve also invited my friends Olga and Debra to join us on this trip,” Magda continued. “Their granddaughters are accompanying them.”
This time, Zach couldn’t help groaning out loud. He’d bet the granddaughter Debra was bringing with her was Vicky—a woman he’d had sex with four times in the last couple of months.
It was Vicky who’d offered a casual liaison agreement with him, since neither of them was interested in a committed relationship. But lately, she’d started to ask him out to dinners and events. He’d been quick to decline, reminding her of how it was between them. He wasn’t interested in anything long-term with Vicky and didn’t want her to have misconceptions.
At least Vicky was being as tight-lipped as he was about their arrangement. He could just imagine how their grandmothers would enthusiastically embrace the possibility of their grandkids married off to each other if they knew. He shuddered at the thought.
“Don’t even think about pairing me off with anyone while on this trip, Grandmother,” he warned.
Magda laughed at his tone. “If you insist.”
“Oh, I insist, Gran.”
“Fine, I won’t,” Magda said readily.
“Good. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Okay, Zach. By the way, my nurses will also be joining us for the trip.”
“Your nurses?” Zach asked in surprise.
“Yes. Even though I’m fit and well, you never know what might happen while we’re at sea. Better that they’re on hand.”
His heart hammered in his chest. “Who... uh... have I met these nurses before?”
“Yes. Rebecca and Sarah. They’re those lovely girls who helped me recover from my hip replacement. You remember them, don’t you?”
He paled.
Rebecca
. She was going to be there. On the ship. With him. For a month.
“Don’t tell me you can’t remember them, Zach. They looked after me for six months.”
He roused himself from his shock. “Sure, I remember them. I’ll... uh... see you tomorrow.”
###
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All these books are strong stand-alone novels. But if you would like to read them in my preferred order, start with
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Lifestyle by Design Series
Clarise Carson and Will Matthews
Jessa Allen and Rob Granger
Faye Summers and Ray Thackery
Secret Dreams Series
Jasmine Allen and Kane Summers
Ari Mitchell and Dylan Summers
Kris McCann and Trey Andrews
Samantha Lane and Adam Craig
Time for Love Series
Rebecca Andrews and Zach Carmichael
Sarah Daley and Jeff Carmichael
Amanda Payne and Connor Reid
Brenna Ward and Ash Payne
Gemma Aldwyn and Greg Carmichael
Captured by Love Series
Book 1:
The Unwilling Executive
Lucas Renner and Jade Tully
Book 2:
The Unyielding Bachelor
Rick Donnelly and Lexie Mead
Carter Garrett and Cassie Stephens
Bradley Mead and Erin Baker
Gavin Redford and Natasha Garrett
Other books in the series coming soon!
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Miranda P. Charles
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