Falling for the Ghost of You(48)

She twirls a lock of her long blonde hair. "So, Gil keeps pestering me for a dance, and you know what a pervert, he is, right, Violet? Well, I said that I told Zane I would dance with him. So can I borrow you for a little bit, Zane?" She blinks vacantly up at him. "So is that okay?"

Seriously?!

Zane looks at me questioningly, one eyebrow raised.

I say nothing. In fact, my mouth is clamped shut. But Marissa takes my silence as a yes and squeals like a piggy. She grabs Zane's arm, tugging him away. He looks back at me with a shrug.

It's okay, Violet. Be calm. Look at the sparkly diamonds.

It's not working. I hide behind a pillar and glare at my date and the receptionist, dancing like they're a couple in televised competition.

No, people, don't applaud them!

If it weren't for Marissa, it would be pure pleasure to watch Zane. His moves are professional and effortless, and I realize he must've received training.

"He's just full of surprises," I tell my bracelet.

I don't know why I'm talking to my bracelet.

By the way, the sparkle of a diamond will catch the eye of any woman, regardless of age. Heck, Adele spots it from across the room, and she's legally blind.

My old ladies ooh and ah over the sparklies on my wrist. Meanwhile, I'm watching Zane twirl the slutty Marissa around in the longest song ever.

Ugh! I hate always being the jealous one. How would he like it if I danced with some hot guy? In fact...

I scout the area, but the closest I can find to a hot guy is the short-haired Raquel, who works the night shift. She is wearing pants tonight. Maybe from behind...?

Okay, no. I try to talk myself into being rational, and enjoying the evening. I know I'm being stupid. I can stop.

I dance with wheelchair bound residents, holding their hands and trying not to flinch when their foot rests bang into my ankles yet again. Zane gives quite a few old ladies the thrill of their lives, twirling them on the dance floor. They respond so enthusiastically, I know there's going to be a lot of aching bones in the morning.



It's almost eight. Helize wants me to take her upstairs, so I tell Zane I'll just be a few minutes.

"Well, Helize, you were the belle of the ball," I say as I wheel her into the elevator. "Did you have a good time?"

She chuckles tiredly, clutching a colorful bouquet of paper flowers in her lap. "I don't know about the 'belle of the ball,' but I did enjoy myself. I was very pleased to meet your young man. You know, he reminds me of an old boyfriend of mine. Charlie was his name, though he wasn't quite so handsome as your Zane. He was a charmer, though. Everyone just loved him. He could light up a room like nobody's business."

"Oh, yeah? So, why didn't you marry him?"

I have to wait for Helize to unlock her door before she answers me. I turn on the light and wheel her in.

"Because everybody loved him," she replies simply. "And he loved them all back. Biggest womanizer I ever knew!"

"Oh," I mutter sourly.





Helize shoots me a crafty old look. "You gotta watch 'em like a hawk when they're that handsome and charming, Violet. You remember that."

"I definitely will."

"Good girl." She pats my hand. "You're a very beautiful, very wonderful young woman. You two make a stunning couple. Just you make sure to guard your heart, you hear?"

I bend down and give her a loud smacking kiss on the cheek. "I hear, Grandma."

She cackles and starts to head for the bathroom. "Send Liz up to help me, would you, dear? I'm ready for bed now."

"Good night, Helize," I say, closing the door for her.

Her warning echoes in my head as I take the stairs back down. I run into Liz in the lobby on my way to find Zane, and I let her know about Helize. She thanks me, and also congratulates me on my engagement to a super hottie.

Where is Zane? I look everywhere, including the kitchen and the three unoccupied rooms downstairs. With a sinking heart, I notice Marissa is missing as well. Then Gina, the activities director, mentions that she saw them going outside.

Oh, really.

Pulse thumping, I make my way to the parking lot, where the employees' cars are.

Guess what I find? Zane, leaning against Marissa's sporty little car—and the ho is standing very close in front of him.

As I watch, she goes up on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. They share an intimate laugh and then Marissa gets in her car. Zane steps away as she backs out, and watches her drive off.

So. Angry.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I move into his line of view. I'm shaking. I hope he doesn't notice.

"There you are," he says, walking over to me. "I was looking for you."

"Really? You were looking for me out in the parking lot when I told you I'd be upstairs with Helize?"