Dark Love: A Darker Shade - Book 2

17

A small smile touched his lips as he perused Zee from head to toe, his eyes finally coming to rest on hers.

"Elizabeth, my, you look fantastic."

Inara's eyes traveled between Zee's and Michael's face intermittently.

Zee's eyes fell. "Thanks." She responded, her voice slightly croaky as it came out with the hint of a wavering whisper.

"Fancy us meeting here. I see you even know Mrs. Arnold."

Zee lifted her gaze back to his and gave him a slight nod while Inara smiled at him.

"We are best friends," said Inara. "I'm surprised you know each other."

"We do," Michael responded, snaking an arm around Zee's waist and pulling her close to his side. "She's my girlfriend."

Inara was confused for a moment as she looked from him to Zee. Didn't Zee just say she was there on a date? "I thought you said..." she began but caught Zee's entreating look and furtive shake of her head which told her not to ask the question she had been about to ask.

Zee swallowed hard as she struggled to control her jitters and act normal. She prayed that Inara's brain would work smartly.

Inara was still looking astounded as her eyes returned to Michael's face. "Oh. I see." She said to him, still wondering what was going on.

"Yeah." He said. "I wasn't expecting her here, so I'm just surprised."

Inara looked at Zee who gave her a forced smile. She noticed that Zee's eyes on hers remained imploring.

For the first time, it dawned on Inara that Zee was increasingly getting nervous. It reminded her of how she had been with Lemuel especially during the early part of their relationship.

She tried to focus on doing as Zee had said. It looked like she was afraid of Michael. It was surprising because Zee was usually not scared of anyone. She didn't know what the problem was but she would try to help Zee out by doing as she had pleaded.

"Oh actually, she forgot her...her...wristwatch at my place the last time she visited so I...I told her I would be here and she could come to collect it if she could make it."

Zee nodded, agreeing with Inara as she looked at Michael with a smile on her face. She could not read his expression, which frankly was unnerving.

"Oh, that's nice." He commented, returning his gaze to Inara who unlocked the silver wristwatch she had on and passed it across to Zee.

"I had to wear it to ensure I don't forget it," Inara said to Zee, giving her a furtive wink. Zee mentally thanked her stars that Inara had finally gotten into character.

As Zee received it, the VIP door was opened again as Lemuel strode in.

The suit he had on was dark gray and he paused upon seeing them, his brows lifted in surprise at seeing Michael holding Zee possessively. He was even more surprised that Inara was handing her wristwatch over to Zee.

"Now this is one surprising and interesting sight." He commented. "My new business partner knows my wife's best friend and uh... my wife is handing her favorite wristwatch to her best friend."

Zee's hand tightened on the wristwatch. Damn! What the hell!

Inara threw an exaggerated smile at Lemuel and searched for what to say. She knew Zee was in trouble now. Lemuel had innocently exposed their lie.

Michael looked at Inara who avoided his gaze by looking elsewhere and pretending to arrange an errant strand of her hair.

He ignored her and looked at Zee but she also avoided his gaze. He tried to control his anger. He had figured it out already. Obviously, Zee's presence in that hotel was not being properly explained. Mr. Arnold's comment just now had made that clear. The fact that both ladies were behaving fishy just confirmed it. Mrs. Arnold had somehow been covering for her friend but they were already busted and they knew it, judging by their nervous expressions. He would get to the root of the matter.