Liam and Meredith Exchanged Smiles of profound pleasure as Zayn strode into the living room carrying a suitcase. Leaning back against the sofa, Liam stretched his legs out and studied the blue suit Zayn was wearing with a knowing grin. “No one wears a suit to a California party, Zayn. It just isn’t done.”
“I forgot about the damned party,” he said, glowering out the window at his own guests. “Stand in for me, will you? Tell them something urgent came up. Can I borrow your pilot?” he added, absently putting his suitcase down and tying his tie.
“Just my pilot?” Liam said, glancing up at Meredith, who’d perched on the arm of the sofa and laid her hand on his shoulder. “Not my plane?”
Zayn turned aside as his housekeeper rushed in to give him two briefcases she’d packed at his instructions. “Your plane and your pilot,” he said impatiently.
“That depends on where you plan to go.”
Satisfied that he had everything he needed for the next few days, Zayn finally turned his full attention on his friend. “Where the hell do you think I’m going?”
“How should I know. If it’s Keaton, Texas, don’t you think you should call Harry first?”
“No, I don’t know how he’ll react. I don’t want him taking off somewhere to avoid me. If I fly commercial, it will take me hours longer to get there.”
“What’s the rush? You’ve let him wait for six weeks already while Louis’s been there holding his hand, no doubt, giving him his broad shoulder to cry on. Furthermore, private planes are expensive toys—”
“I don’t have time for this b—” Zayn cut off
the curse word on Meredith’s behalf, started forward to kiss her good-bye, then he stopped as Joe O’Hara said from the doorway behind him. “I’ve got the car out in front, ready to go, Liam. And I talked to Steve on the car phone. He says the plane’s fueled and ready to fly. Zayn, when are you going to be ready to leave?”
“I think,” Liam joked dryly, “he’s ready now.”
Giving Liam a disgusted look, Zayn pulled Meredith into his arms. “Thank you,” he said with quiet sincerity.
“You’re welcome,” she replied, beaming at him. “Give Harry my love.”
“Give him my sincerest apology,” Liam said, standing up and sobering as he held out his hand to shake Zayn’s. “Good luck.”
They watched him stride swiftly out the door, then Meredith looked up at Liam and her smile wobbled as she said, “That man loves him so much that he doesn’t care that many people will think he’s a fool for wanting him after what he did to him in Mexico City. All that matters to him is that Harry loves him.”
“I know,” Matt replied somberly, gazing into her misty eyes. “I recognize the feeling.”
YOU ARE READING
A PERFECT RENDEZVOUS
RomanceA foster child who blossomed under the love showered upon by his adoptive family. Now a young and handsome man, he is a respected teacher in his small Texas town and is determined to give back all the kindness he has received, believing that nothing...
