Page 76 of Love Under the Microscope
I have no idea who he’s paid, but I believe him.
Nate glances at the time. “Got a couple of minutes still. What are your intentions toward Zelda personally?”
He sounds so serious and old-school like someone’s dad, not their ex-husband or business partner, but again, this isn’t the time to laugh. “I’m not ready to ask for her hand in marriage, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
I expect him to smile at my answer. He doesn’t.
Nate rubs his chin. “Do you think you’ll be enough for her?”
He’s clearly protective of Zelda. If not, I would have told him to fuck off, but he seems to care a lot about her still, which might be something to worry about.
I don’t want to answer. I’ll never come close to making the salary she does, but I’m not sure that’s what he means. “Did you think you would be?”
His jaw tightens. “This isn’t about me and Zelda. We’re no longer together.”
“Exactly.”
An edgy silence falls between us, and Nate nods.
“Just don’t hurt her,” he says before walking toward the door.
“She could hurt me.”
Nate stops. His back is to me, and his shoulders rise and fall as he takes a deep breath. He glances over his shoulder at me. “I know. That brings me to the conclusion you’re right. We aren’t together any longer, so this isn’t my business.”
“That isn’t what I said.”
“I know, Jack, but it’s what I’ve just realized.” He leaves, passing Zelda on her way inside.
“Is everything okay?” She glances at Nate. “Did he make you suffer?”
“No. Not at all.” I’m more than certain Nate Lowe is the one suffering, not me. “Ready to get started?”
“Yes.” Zelda places two take-out coffee cups on the table. “In case you need caffeine because I bore you to sleep.”
There’s no way this woman would ever bore me. “Thanks, but I’ll be good.”
We sit down kitty-corner to each other, and Zelda slides a cup and a piece of paper over to me. “Here are the questions. They’ll give you a great story.”
As I read over the questions, I know she’s right. After adding what I already learned about Zentello and the co-CEOs, I can write a great story and save my job. “Thanks for trusting me to do this.”
“You’re welcome.”
I reread what she’s given me. The only thing missing is Nigel Carrington's role in all this. I hate the idea, but I need to talk to him and find out what he knows about what he stole from Zelda. Those pages are still the missing piece, and I don’t think any story about Zentello or Mr. Z will be complete without that part.
CHAPTER 18
ZELDA
A knock sounds. I check through the peephole, see Jack, and open my front door.
“Hey, you.” I step to one side to let him in. “What are you doing here?”
Jack kisses me on the lips and walks inside. Man, his ass looks fine in those jeans. I much prefer being together here than on display in that conference room. Even though no one could hear him interview me—well, Mr. Z—it was disconcerting since everyone knows me as an assistant, not someone the media would be interested in talking to.
I sit on the couch, but he remains standing. “So?”
“We need to get your pages back.”
