Chapter 16: PART ONE

Bailey had been nervous as a tick all day. Last night had been so incredible she wanted to freeze it in time. She had told Zack he was invited to the dinner, halfway hoping he'd decline. Of course, when she told him about the senior partnership, he told her no way in hell would he not be there. Then she wondered if she should have said anything. But she'd been bubbling over about it and needed someone to share it with. Michael was out of town, and here was Zack, back in her life after all these years, even if only for a short time.

She'd kept it together during the morning sessions and lunch. She knew Zack would come looking for her, since she'd blurted out that the afternoon was free time, but she wasn't ready for more alone time with him. Not yet. So she treated herself to the spa again, getting her hair done and a mani-pedi. She'd told him she had things to do, making sure everything was set up for cocktails and dinner, and so he should meet her in the small banquet room at seven.