The waitress laid down their drinks and Zach reached for his immediately. “Your wife is very beautiful.”

“She is. But…” The man sipped his wine and Zach watched him carefully. Whatever it was about the woman who’d come before his wife, it still affected him. Anyone could see that.

The man took a long sip of his wine, then set it on the table. “About the building. I’ve gone over all the plans. I will have them sent back to you next week. Most of the changes I have asked for are for my suite and my offices.”

“I’ll look them over personally.” He’d expected changes. The bigger a man was in his own eyes, the more finicky he’d be about a build. This guy’s list was sure to be long.

“I’ve met with the other investors. They like you and like your style.” Zach was pleased to hear that after having spent so much time with them. “I want to meet with you the first part of August. We’ll finalize everything with the other investors, and we’ll get this project off the ground.”

“Sounds good. I can’t tell you how pleased Benson, Benson, and Hart is to be working with you again.”

“I only use the best.”

“Thank you.” His heart swelled with satisfaction. The company his father had built, and he continued, was the best.

“August.” The man swirled his wine in the glass. “It’s amazing how fast a year goes by. So many things can change.”

“I agree.” A year ago, Zach was working eighty-hour weeks and sleeping in the office most nights to prove to himself that he could handle the company after his father left.

After he met Regan, business had become secondary. All he thought of was her. And right now, all he thought of was how much he missed her.

They quietly finished their drinks then walked back to the lobby. When the investor’s wife spotted him, she rose and hurried to his side.

“We will see you in August, then.” He held his hand out to Zach.

“Again, congratulations on your anniversary.” Zach shook his hand and then his wife’s delicate one.

He looked down at his watch. It was eleven in Nashville. Regan would be sleeping. He would go back to his room, pack, and call to make arrangements. Perhaps he could fly out earlier and surprise her. Perhaps, he’d even pass his parents in the airport on their way to New York before retrieving his love and hurrying her off to their estate and making love to her all weekend long.

On the flight Zach’s mind wandered back to his investor and to the deprecatory way he spoke of the woman who had been his assistant. He’d mentioned that he’d married well.

Zach didn’t envy the man’s former assistant or his wife. He settled in his seat. Marrying well, isn’t that what his father had done when he’d married his mother? Or his grandfather and grandmother? Not as in wealth, but as in compassion and love.

Zach pressed his head into the seat back and closed his eyes. Marrying well. It’s what he’d be doing if—when—Regan agreed to marry him.

He smiled as the plane flew him closer to Nashville and Regan.

Chapter ten

The drive to Memphis in traffic had spoiled Regan’s mood. Her stomach had been in knots all night at thoughts about the meeting with Roger Byers. When she pulled into the lot and saw John standing beside his car waiting for her, her nerves settled. On the drive she’d nearly forgotten she wouldn’t be alone. John would be there and everything would be fine.

“You made it.” He handed her a cup of coffee and smiled.

“I did, and thank you.” She sipped from the cup. The coffee was bitter and cold. “You’ve been waiting a long time.”

“I got here an hour ago.” He rolled his shoulders. “I didn’t sleep very well. This shit always makes me nervous.”

“I didn’t sleep well either. This doesn’t look to be a wonderful day, does it?”

“That’ll depend on how you look at it. When it’s all over, I’m going back to a nice hotel, using their gym and pool, and having dinner brought to my room.” He winked. “All charged to Zach.”

Regan laughed. “That does sound good.”

John put his arm around her shoulders as they walked toward the office. She was comforted by his touch, and that was a welcome feeling. A man’s arm around her would usually have her flinching, but she liked John. The woman who would turn his head would be a very lucky one indeed.

“And what are your plans for the weekend?” he asked and her cheeks filled with color. “Oh, Zach is coming home tonight. You have plans.”

She laughed and nipped him on the cheek with a kiss. “You are bad, John Forrester.” She enjoyed his friendship immensely. He was good to have around for everyone.

Roger Byers stood at his office window and peered through the blinds. Look at that, she was cozy with the foreman too. Whore. What a cushy job she must have while he was in a hot trailer busting his ass.

He shook it off. He knew this was his last day on the job. Those goddamned workers he had were doing a shit-poor job, and he was going to pay for it. Who the hell needed Zach Benson and all his money anyway? And what the hell did that man do in a day? He fucked his assistant on the desk then sent her and his henchman to fire him? They’d all pay for that.

He watched as they started up the steps. He could almost smell her before he could see her. That floral scent she wore had stuck in his head the first time she crossed her legs in front of him and took notes from her boss.

When John opened the door, Roger wanted to punch his fist right into his face. He knew who John Forrester was. The entire organization knew who the ass-kisser was. And when he showed up on your site, your job was over—and he’d get the glory for finishing up.

Roger’s blood boiled when they stepped into the trailer, but he smiled and welcomed them back.

He coolly eyed Regan in her professional attire. She was pretty. Not as pretty as he’d seen them, but she was okay. What she saw in the rich asshole boss and the old man foreman was beyond him.

“Have a seat. I don’t have any fresh coffee, but we have some tea.” He hardly recognized his own voice trying to sound so nice to the asshole and the whore.

“Let’s just get down to business,” John said directly as he set his files on the desk and then sat in the chair.

Regan sat next to John as he pulled out the reports. The muscles in her neck had instantly tensed the moment she’d seen Roger Byers standing in the doorway. The very sight of him made her sick to her stomach.