Bride by Mistake Read Online Free Page B

further questions.
    As the women left the room, Liza turned and flashed Zach another smile. A downright dazzling smile. And it hit him again—a lightning bolt of excitement that shook him to the core.
    Have you lost your mind?
he asked himself as they disappeared into the kitchen. This was Liza—his longtime friend. The woman he’d been buddies with for years. What had changed? Today his reactions to Liza were downright sinful!
    The nonsense had to stop. He’d use this time alone to regroup. To clear his head. And after that, he’d get his friendship with Liza O’Malley back on track.

    Eloise’s kitchen came straight from
Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous
. Walnut cabinets with etched-glass panels lined the walls, a spacious bay window graced a cheerful breakfast nook, and the stainless-steel cooking area could serve hundreds. “What a marvelous room,” Meg observed.
    “Why, thank you. Would you please get some glasses from the cupboard on your left?”
    Meg selected three crystal tumblers while Eloise took a pitcher of lemonade from the refrigerator. “I’m glad that you and Zach are dating. He became quite the hermit after his divorce.”
    Meg nodded, even though she had no idea if that was true. She knew nothing about Zach’s private life, before or after the divorce. Liza and Zach had been on the debate team together and shared many of the same classes. So while Meg idolized Zach, she only saw him occasionally as they passed in the halls.
    “I don’t often share my concerns,” Eloise continued. “But sometimes women understand each other in ways men never can.”
    “I agree with that.”
    Eloise caught Meg’s gaze. “May I speak frankly?”
    “Of course.”
    “Zach seems quite attracted to you.”
    Meg’s heart did a backward flip. Was their acting really so believable? “I…I feel the same about him,” she said. This, ironically, was the first true statement she’d uttered all day.
    “How did you meet your husband, Eloise?” Meg asked, wanting to take the focus off her relationship with Zach.
    Eloise smiled. “It’s quite a story. You see, Horace dated my sister Esther, and I was the annoying kid sister. But one afternoon, Horace came over while Esther was still at work. I entertained him until she got home.” She sighed. “Something magical happened that day.”
    “What was that?”
    “Horace realized I’d grown up.”
    “And he fell in love with you instead of your sister?”
    “That he did. Esther was miffed at first. But then she met Albert, and the four of us loved being together.”
    “How many children do you have?”
    “Just Robert, Zachary’s father. He and his wife, Evelyn, manage our corporate offices in England. Do you like children, Liza? If I’m not prying?”
    “I adore them. That’s why I teach ballet.”
    Now she’d done it! She’d stepped out of her Liza role and resumed her own life. Occupational hazard.
    “So you’re a ballerina?”
    “Of sorts. My friend owns a ballet studio, and I teach a class for her now and then.”
    As Meg tried to cover her tracks, she realized how easy it would be to tell Zach’s grandmother the truth. Her real life story. But she didn’t dare. She had a role to play.
    Eloise poured the lemonade and arranged cookies on a hand-painted plate. “I love the ballet too. For our tenth anniversary, Horace gave me a music box with a ballerina on top. I treasured that gift. But I broke it a year after Horace died, and I’ve always been sorry.”
    They arranged the pitcher, glasses, and tea cookies on a silver tray. “May I share a secret?” Eloise asked, her blue eyes twinkling.
    “Of course.”
    “My fondest wish is to become a great-grandmother. But Zach will have to hurry, since he’s my only grandchild.”
    Meg felt her cheeks flush. Did Eloise consider her the candidate to produce said great-grandchild? Meg’s heart skittered like a frightened squirrel crossing the street.
    Eloise winked at her. “Let’s rejoin Zach,