“Danielle, stop,” he said, reaching out and grabbing her elbow. She twisted her hand away, keeping her face down.
It wasn’t until he caught a glimpse of her cheek that he realized that she was crying.
Having enough of her stubbornness, he pulled her into his chest and wrapped both arms around her. Her shoulders shook with sobs. Zach’s heart felt as if it were breaking into a million pieces. His stupid attempt to show her he cared ended in her sobbing.
“Danielle, I…I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. You can give me that key back. It’s okay.” He pressed his hand against her head, hoping she’d understand how he felt.
She pulled away and turned, wrapping her arms around her chest. “It’s not about the key. It’s not about you. It’s me,” she whispered.
Now even more confused, Zach stepped up next to her. “Is it the camera guy? Thomas? Are you two together?”
Danielle shook her head and turned her face to glance up at him. Her cheeks were pink and her eyes glistening, but she looked beautiful. He doubted she could ever look bad. Without thinking, Zach reached up and wiped an escaping tear from her cheek.
Her eyes closed for a moment and Zach allowed himself to hope that it might mean what he so desperately wanted it to mean.
“There’s nothing going on between me and Thomas. He’s just a friend.” Her voice was barely a whisper when she opened her eyes and met his gaze.
“That’s good to hear,” he said, stepping closer to her. When she didn’t retreat, he took that as a sign that he could move closer.
“And you and Giselle?”
“PR stunt.”
Danielle raised her eyebrows. “That’s all?”
Zach crossed his heart as he nodded and leaned closer. “I swear. I only have eyes…for you.”
His heart hammered as he let the last two words out. As soon as he said them, he worried that he’d done the wrong thing. But Danielle was still here. Standing in front of him. This had to be a good sign. Right?
But when he raised his gaze to meet hers, his stomach sank. Something wasn’t right. Her eyebrows were furrowed and fear raced through her gaze.
“I can’t,” she said as she stepped back.
Not letting her go without a fight, he stepped closer. “Danielle, I…”
“Zach, please. You’ll never forgive me. I just can’t…”
Zach reached out and pulled her closer. “What are you talking about?” What secret could she possibly be hiding?
She pressed her hands to his chest and pulled back. “Zach, you’ll never forgive me. Your family will never forgive me.”
“Danielle, tell me. I’m sure I’ll forgive you.” And what would his family possibly be upset about?
She took in a deep, shaky breath and then glanced up to meet his gaze. “I…Jesse…” Her voice trailed off as she chewed her lip. It was as if what she was about to say was going to kill her.
“I love Jesse. He’s a great kid. I can’t wait to get to know him more.”
Tears formed in her eyes as the pressure on his chest lessened and she glanced up, almost as if she were hoping to contain her emotions. “Jesse likes you too, Zach. He’s asking when you are coming over. I don’t know what to tell him.”
Zach growled as the emotions in his body grew to capacity. How could Danielle be so frustrating? She was worried about her son and yet, she just told him that Jesse liked him. What was keeping them apart?
“See. Jesse knows we should be together. It’s always been you, Dani.” He leaned closer until his forehead was pressed against hers.
She sighed. Each breath jagged with the emotions that were still so evidently written across her face. “I can’t Zach. I just can’t.”
“Please?” he asked, tipping her face up so he could see her better.
“You’ll never forgive me.” She took a deep breath and stepped back. “Jesse is Isaac’s son.”
