case. The story featured heavily in the papers last year. Lilly knew many of the fabulously rich tended to be bicoastal, and chances were good they read about it.
“No one will recognize you,” she told her reflection sternly. “Anyway...you can’t hide forever.”
She slipped her feet into black dress sandals and fastened the silver buckles. She regretted the need to forgo high heels. She could use the added height. Unfortunately, her injury made heels impossible.
Her dress was a simple sleeveless black that flowed gracefully to her feet, the seams piped in silver. Zach had deemed it suitable when she showed it to him before he left last night. She regretted her lack of jewelry, but rich women could smell a fake a mile away.
Lilly heard a car door slam. Zach was a few minutes early. Good thing she hadn’t changed her mind about the hair. Life with Charles taught her a lot about punctuality. He certainly hadn’t liked it if she delayed him a few seconds.
She doubted Zach would lose his temper over something so trifling, but she wanted to make a good impression. Even if this wasn’t a real date in Zach’s mind, she didn’t want to start the night off on the wrong foot.
She rushed to the front door and waited for him to knock. The time ticked by on the clock, and she could hear him move around on the porch. Perhaps he planned to wait, knocking exactly on time. She smiled and opened the door. Zach’s fist had just risen to knock as it swung it open.
“Wow!” He ran a hand through his hair and his eyes traveled up and down Lilly’s body. “Wow!”
“Thank you.” She twirled around slowly to give him the whole image. “I take it I pass inspection?”
“I only thought about the women who will be after me tonight, but I should have thought this out better. I’m going to have to stay very close to you and beat back the other guys.”
“Oh, no, don’t you worry about that, Mr. Woodbridge.” A smile stretched across her face. Even though they weren’t actually dating, Zach’s admiration was obviously not feigned. It never hurt to have an ego boost. “I’m on a date with you. You’re the only man who matters tonight.”
“Yes, but what about tomorrow?”
Lilly pulled her keys from her handbag, stepping out of the house and locking the door. She didn’t know how to respond. Did he really mean he’d like to see her again, as something more than a decoy? That didn’t make any sense though. No matter how Lilly felt in her heart, her brain knew they were from two different worlds now. When Zach picked a woman to really date, he wouldn’t give a second’s thought to this arrangement or making it something more.
Zach claimed her arm and helped her to the car. The black BMW was nothing short of luxurious. Lilly slid into the leather passenger seat with a sigh of contentment. A person soon got used to buying everything secondhand, but that didn’t stop them from remembering, and enjoying, the finer things in life.
Zach looked wonderful himself. His tux boasted a silver vest and handkerchief. People wouldn’t have any trouble knowing they were together. She figured that was the impression he wanted.
“You look very nice,” she said when he entered the car, loving the way his hair stuck up after he ran his hand through it.
Zach put his seat belt on and pulled down the visor to look into the vanity mirror. “Thanks. Messed my hair up though.” He tried to smooth the errant hair as he spoke. “Horrible habit. Drives Mother crazy.”
Lilly put her hand over his to stop his movements and pulled it away from his head. The contact of his hand in hers sent a tingle of awareness up her arm. She bit her lip and let go. “Take it from me, that’s a very sexy look for you.”
“But my mother will—”
“Mothers don’t know sexy, at least not in their own sons.” She ran her fingers through his thick hair, spiking it back up. Even if she could never really be with Zach, the feel of his soft hair