Zach worked hard to keep from scowling, but was gratified to quickly notice one on Kendall's face before she whispered something and left the young man standing alone in the doorway. In another minute, his companion was being warmly embraced by Kendall as she smiled toward him.

"Good evening, Kendall," he said quietly, waiting to see how she would treat him that evening.

Kendall Hart, the daughter of the famous Erica Kane, had also been the girlfriend of his erstwhile son – who had been unwise enough to lie to her and betray her trust. When she had broken up with him and booted him out of her condominium – which was conveniently located across a small courtyard from his own – he had taken the opportunity to propose a marriage of convenience. The proposed merger was based on business and mutual profit, with the unspoken agreement that it would also keep them from suffering more heartbreak at the hands of another. Kendall had been considering his proposal, but he was still unsure if he would succeed in his quest… or if he wanted to.

"Hello there, Zach. Have you been taking good care of Myrtle?" she asked in a laughing voice, knowing that she might be teasing a tiger in the way she strung him along, but she had always enjoyed living dangerously.

Before Zach could reply, Myrtle answered, "He's been taking excellent care of me, but I must speak with Maria… and he would much rather speak with you, darlin'. I'll visit with you both later."

As Myrtle left them, Zach looked askance at Kendall who commented, "Well… hanging around with you certainly keeps me out of the crowd. Your popularity seems to be an all-time low tonight, Zach."

He opened his mouth to reply, thought the better of it, and turned to walk away before she stopped him with her hand, "I'm sorry, Zach… I couldn't resist."

He looked down and noticed that she was wearing the obscenely large diamond ring he had purchased for their engagement… and looked at her with an arched brow, "Does this mean you've decided to accept my proposal?"

"No… it means that I'm sick of all the busybodies in this town trying to tell me what I can and cannot do. When they see this rock on my finger they'll be so busy talking about me that they won't have time to lecture to me," she said with a sparkling smile. His response was a smile of his own, which brightened his whole face. Kendall did not like to admit how much she enjoyed making him smile, not even to herself.

"Well then, let's give them something to talk about," he answered before pulling her into his arms and kissing her softly on the lips… not passionately but with a promise of more to come should she be interested later.

She responded to the kiss in kind, assuring herself that it was only going along with their game. The fact that she found his kiss and caress quite enjoyable was an added bonus in her little game of one-upmanship with the whole town. He pulled away more quickly than she would have liked, but a swift glance around the room indicated that the brief kiss had been effective.

"Mmm… thank you," she said after he pulled away. He smiled once again and they began to circle the room and talk quietly.

"What is your pleasure this evening?" he asked lasciviously. "Another kiss? An early departure? Perhaps a room upstairs?"

She smiled back and waggled a finger at him, "Whoa there big boy, let's just start with a glass of something, shall we? Why don't you get me something to drink while I say hello to my mother?"

"I'd rather join you for that. I wouldn't want to be deprived of her expression when she sees that you're wearing my ring," he answered with a devious chuckle. "Why don't you join me at the bar and then we'll greet your… uh… family together."

She let out a low, throaty laugh and followed him to the bar where she ordered a diet soda and he ordered a scotch neat. He did not question her choice of beverage, glad that one of them was choosing to keep a clear head – and even more glad that it didn't have to be him.

Zach and Kendall approached Erica Kane and those around her as if they were planning to scale an impenetrable fortress… and, of course, if Kendall was even considering seeking her mother's approval for a marriage to Zach that's exactly what it was. Zach noticed Kendall imperceptibly straighten her spine as they approached the group, and also noticed her transfer her drink glass into her left hand – thereby making the ring she wore even more obvious.

"Hello, Mother," Kendall began before launching the first salvo. "I'm glad to see that Maria didn't have you banned from this little gathering the way she did Edmund's funeral."

Erica gave her daughter a brittle smile, "Kendall, may I have a word with you privately?"

"Whatever you have to say can be said in front of my… fiancé. Isn't that right, Zach?" Kendall said more loudly than necessary.

Zach nodded his head and smiled, "Of course, we have no secrets between us."

Erica looked from one to the other, realizing that they were trying to bait her, but unsure if she would be able to maintain a cool exterior for long when she was seething with anger on the inside. Jackson noticed immediately the impending explosion and took her by the elbow to steer her from the vicinity of Zach and Kendall, even if he couldn't quite get her all of the way out of the room. Erica looked daggers at him but allowed herself to be managed – more to prepare the perfect response than for the wisdom of the retreat.

Kendall laughed and waved her fingers, "Talk to you later, Mother."

"What are you doing here Slater? Has it occurred to you that it is entirely inappropriate that you attend an event honoring a man whose wife you were attempting to steal?" Ryan asked in righteous indignation.

Zach smiled tolerantly at the other man as he answered, "Considering that the brother of his murderer is here, I didn't feel that my minor role in this little drama was worth even noting. Besides, Kendall asked me to join her… and I'm always delighted to spend time with my… fiancée."

"You are not Kendall's fiancé, Slater, not as long as I have breath in my body," Ryan stated unequivocally.

"I'm certain that we can remedy…" Zach began.

"Okay, hold it right there, Ryan… you gave up the right to have a say in my life a long time ago," Kendall interrupted sharply. "If I tell you Zach's my fiancé, then that's what he is. And if you can't accept it… please… go running after Erica."

"Ryan, Kendall… enough. We're here for Edmund… well most of us are," Greenlee answered. "This is not the time or place to have this discussion… but we will have it. And Kendall, if you think we're going to allow you to make the colossal mistake of marrying this man you don't know us at all."

"Greenlee, the same goes for you as for your husband… my life – my decision… you do not have a say in it. Now go toddle off and make sure your mother behaves herself while my fiancé and I enjoy a drink together," Kendall answered sarcastically.

Zach looked at Kendall after Ryan and Greenlee had reluctantly walked away, "Are you sure you want to do this here?"

"Are you getting cold feet, Zach? I thought this was what you wanted?" she answered him in surprise, noticing his glance toward Maria Grey. "Oh… the Widow Grey… afraid that I might upset her too much? Well, listen Zach… if you're in this for real, you'll just have to get used to the fact that we'll be upsetting the lovely doctor and get over it. If you can't, then let's end this now."

In response, Zach draped his arm lightly over her shoulders, using his fingers to caress her bare arm before leaning down and whispering in her ear, "I only have eyes for you."

She turned her head and observed a look in his eyes that she'd never seen before, half humorous and the other… well it made her think of how the wolf might look at Red Riding Hood just before devouring her… and before she could help it she shivered. Zach smiled at her reaction before whispering, "I'm so glad you approve."

Before either of them could act on this new information, though, Zach's son accosted them demanding, "Kendall, I'd like a private word with you."