Chapter 23
Maggie was long gone with Miranda. Zach had somehow managed to kiss Miranda goodbye and promise to visit her again (with a look in his eye that brooked no argument from Maggie). He and Kendall were now sitting on a bench in complete silence. Zach was trying to contain his emotions, and at the same time try to figure out why they were so intense. When he spent that time with her before Christmas, and then kissed her on New Year's Eve, he'd realized that there was a potential for something. But his head was so crowded by thoughts of Maria and Ethan and the need to do the right thing that he decided to set it aside and walk away. And then he had walked away from them all. His intent was that they owed him nothing and he owed them nothing. So why should he care if Kendall was marrying one of the slimiest men in Pine Valley? Why did the idea of Junior putting his hands on her make his fists clench? This wasn't the same situation as with Maria and Edmund. Zach never had a relationship with Kendall. And it wasn't like she was choosing JR over Zach. Yet he still felt like he had a knot in his stomach.
Kendall tapped her foot. The silence was killing her. Zach just stared into space with what looked like a bewildered expression on his face. Was he trying to figure out why she would be so stupid? She wished he would just say something. She saw him take one long deep breath through his nose. Then he maneuvered his facial features into a completely fake polite expression. He cleared his throat. "Well, I suppose that I should wish you well. I guess you're here in Paris on double duty. Visit your sister, and also scout out a place to stay for your honeymoon. The hotel where I stayed when I first got here was very popular with honeymooners. The walls were thick, but not thick enough. I'd be happy to recommend it, since I no longer live there." She shook her head. "There isn't going to be a honeymoon." He laughed harshly. "I don't buy that, sweetheart. There's not a heterosexual male in this world that wouldn't be planning a nice long honeymoon if you were his bride." Her entire body went hot at that comment.
Unable to sit still a moment longer, she stood up. She walked over to a brick and iron fence that overlooked the Seinne river. She leaned against the fence and stared at the river cruise floating by. She felt, rather than saw Zach come up next to her. Without looking at him, she spoke. "It's going to be a marriage of convenience. I'm doing this as a favor to JR." She looked at him. "A lot has happened since you left. JR found out that Babe was lying about his son being dead. She and Jamie had run off with the baby. They're all back in Pine Valley, and JR is fighting for custody of his son. Babe and Jamie upped the stakes when they got married. It was actually my mother's idea that JR and I get married to put him in a better position. She's furious that Babe wasn't sent to jail for her misdeeds. Plus, I think she's trying to matchmake between us. JR loved the idea. He's always had a crush on me. It would help in his custody suit. I think he also thinks it will soften Bianca towards him and that maybe she would give Chandler Enterprises to us as a wedding gift. I told him that he was not allowed to try and manipulate her."
Zach gritted his teeth. "And what do you get out of all this?" She sighed. "Well, I do actually want to help JR. He wants the chance to raise his son. And the idea of any child being raised by that barracuda Babe makes me sick to my stomach. It's not like this arrangement would have to be permanent. But I do have some selfish reasons. I think I like the idea of being hands off for awhile. Ryan burned me pretty badly. Then I came very close to falling in love with Ethan. Fortunately our romance crashed and burned before it got too far off the ground. And then…" She stopped short and looked down at her hands for a moment. "And after that I guess I just felt like maybe I should stay away from romance for awhile. When I marry JR, I will be in a position where I could keep a safe distance from anyone who might potentially draw me in. I'll have some breathing room to decide what I want to do with my life. Running Fusion seems to be the only thing getting me up in the morning."
Zach gripped the rail, leaning back to stretch out his arms. "So you're marrying JR as a way of thwarting the temptation to fall in love. I suppose it makes sense in a Kendallesque sort of way. So when is the big day?" She looked out over the river, again. "In three days. I go back home tomorrow to make the arrangements. We're just having a civil ceremony, with Adam and Erica as the witnesses. JR already did the big wedding extravaganza thing with Babe. I didn't want to make a big deal out of it, either."
Zach stared at the curve of her cheek. "Why are you in Paris three days before your wedding? Is Bianca throwing a bachelorette party?" She laughed reluctantly. "Bianca is less than thrilled by the marriage. No, I just wanted to get away for a little bit before all the drama comes to a head. Have my last hurrah, I guess. A rather pathetic hurrah. Paris is spectacular enough, but I've been holed up with Bianca and Miranda since I got here." Zach's hold on the railing tightened until his knuckles were turning white. Don't do it, don't do it, don't be an idiot. Wish her luck and walk the hell away from her. "I'm pretty good at last hurrahs. How about I take you out on the town tonight. Paris after dark is an amazing place to be."
Just say no, just say no, you have to be out of your mind! Paris at night with Zach? The sparks practically gave her third degree burns when they were in a run down cabin in the middle of a blizzard. How was she supposed to survive Paris? This is exactly why you are marrying JR – just turn the man down! "What time do you want to pick me up?"