Instead of letting her imagination get the best of her, Karen flattened a hand over her stomach and attempted to act unaffected. “Do I know you?”
The sex-personified blue-eyed man stepped toward her. It took effort for her to hold her ground.
Sensing her unease, he held still, looked around the both of them as if noticing the caterers running about and guests arriving behind him, and said simply, “Zach Gardner.”
The smile on her face stayed. The name tickled at the edges of her consciousness. Memories flashed behind the veil of her mind until she narrowed her focus. “Michael’s brother?” she whispered.
Zach gave a small nod and swept his eyes down her frame. When his eyes met hers again, he masked whatever he’d been thinking, then he smiled and said, “And you’re the wife none of us have met.”
Not a lot shook Karen. She’d managed the role of Michael’s wife under the ever-present scrutiny of paparazzi, producers, actors, and fans…but the man standing in front of her did what no one else could. He made her question her decision to marry.
Karen stepped forward and ignored the frown suddenly on Zach’s face. “We didn’t know you were coming.”
“So you do know Mike has a family.”
“Of course.” No one called Michael, Mike. Somehow, family always made you remember where you were from.
Karen fidgeted under his stare and something in his gaze hesitated. It was as if he knew he was coming across harsh and blaming her for his brother’s absence. But Karen knew Michael wasn’t as close to his family as he once was.
“He’s had a grueling schedule this last year.” She made excuses for Michael, knowing that part of the reason his family had not been brought into their marriage was because it wasn’t scheduled to last. His deception was meant for Hollywood, not his family. In reality, Karen had half expected someone to show up before now.
“Everyone’s busy.”
Which Karen translated as Zach not giving a shit about Michael’s schedule or his excuses. They were Michael’s to excuse, and Karen didn’t want to step between him and his family.
“I’m sure Michael will be excited to see you.” She started to walk past Zach to show him the way inside.
“Looks like my timing is bad.”
It would have been easy for her to suggest that unexpected and unannounced visits had a way of having bad timing, but she refrained. “Not at all.” Since they’d never met in person, and she had no way of knowing if Zach knew her name, she presented her hand. “I’m Karen, by the way.”
Zach took her hand in his and an unexpected hot current shot up her arm. Now that was bad timing!
A zip of chemistry was just fine, thank you very much, but not with her temporary husband’s brother. Oh, no, that wasn’t fine at all!
Surprise passed over Zach’s eyes before he pulled his hand away rather abruptly. “And I feel as if I owe you an apology.”
“What for?” For coming off as an abrasive, albeit sexy, ass? Oh, yeah…maybe he did.
“I’m a little shocked to find a real person behind the pictures we’ve all seen.”
“A real person as opposed to what?”
Zach shrugged. “My brother is seen with someone new at every film premiere. I think we assumed you weren’t real…but I can see now that you are. Doesn’t excuse my rudeness. My beef is with my brother, not you.”
Karen felt a warm smile fill her face and something in Zach’s eyes softened. “Was that an apology?”
“Half-assed, but yes.”
Seemed Zach and Michael had that in common, the ability to apologize without actually saying the words. Though Michael was getting better.
“Apology accepted. Now c’mon, Zach, let’s go find your brother.” She didn’t leave any room for discussion as she walked around him and into the house.
A couple of heads turned as the two of them walked into the kitchen. She couldn’t help but wonder if the help thought the man beside her was Michael’s twin, or stunt double, which Zach could easily pull off. If Karen remembered right, Zach was Michael’s older brother by at least a year. There was an older sister and two younger sisters. All of whom still lived in the small town in Utah Michael had grown up in and moved away from shortly after high school.
Samantha, Karen’s friend and sometimes colleague, intercepted the path to Michael’s side. “There you are. Michael’s looking for you.” Samantha eyed Zach with a slight smile.
“We’re looking for him, too. Samantha Harrison, this is Zach Gardner, Michael’s brother.”
“Of course. The family resemblance is hard to miss.” Samantha shook Zach’s hand.
“A pleasure.” His words were dry, as if he’d like nothing better than to disappear.
“Where did you see Michael last?”
“In the courtyard. C’mon, I’ll show you.”
Thankful for Samantha’s presence, Karen offered her practiced smile to Zach and led him through the house and out the massive doors to the courtyard where even more guests mingled and eyed the new guest.
Michael stood with his back to them.
Karen tapped his shoulder and caught his eyes before he looked beyond her. “Michael. Look who I found.”
In a split second, confusion mixed into recognition, and then the most surprising thing happened. Michael lost some of his polish. “Jesus, Zach.”
Karen stood aside and watched the two brothers offer smiles, handshakes, and man hugs.