Free Forever (Time for Love Book 1) by Miranda P. Charles Page A

pinch in her heart, but ignored it. Regardless of what happened in the future, she was committed to giving it her all this time around.
    "Well, here we are," Magda said as they reached her door. "Rebecca, tomorrow I want to wear one of my evening gowns that is a bit hard to put on. Will you and Sarah come early to help me get ready?"
    "Of course," Rebecca answered. "What time do you want us in your room?"
    "I'm having an early dinner with the oldies on shore in Brisbane tomorrow night, so come around three-quarters of an hour before the show starts. That would give us enough time."
    "We'll be here."
    "Great. Now don't forget to make yourselves pretty for tomorrow, too!" Magda said.
    "Goodnight, Gran," Zach said, kissing Magda on the cheek.
    "Goodnight, dear. I'll see the two of you tomorrow." With a beaming, open-mouthed smile on her face for the two of them, Magda went in and closed the door behind her.
    Rebecca turned to Zach, unsure of what to do next. A small part of her wondered if what he really wanted was to discuss his grandmother's diet. Of course, she hoped that was just an excuse!
    Zach took her hand and led her to his suite a couple of doors down. Her heart danced. Zach had hardly ever held her hand in public. Even though the corridor was virtually empty, she was still thrilled.
    *****
    R ebecca walked through Zach's open door, heart beating fast in anticipation. When she didn't hear the door close, she turned around. Zach was staring at her as he stood by the threshold, and he was still holding the door open.
    "What's wrong?" she asked.
    "Um, do you want a drink? We can go to one of the bars instead."
    She frowned. Zach looked totally uncomfortable. She walked to him and cupped his face. His eyes softened and he swallowed visibly.
    "What's wrong?" she repeated.
    Zach sighed, taking her hands from his face and squeezing them tight before letting them go. "I shouldn't have led you here. I don't think we should be alone together, Bec," he said huskily.
    "Why not?"
    "We... there are things that..." Zach ran his hand over his face in frustration. "Last night was great. But it shouldn't have happened."
    "Why not?" she asked again in a smaller voice.
    "There are so many unresolved issues between us."
    "Shall we start resolving them then?" she asked in a shy, hopeful voice.
    Zach gaped at her, the conflict within him obvious in his face before he shut it with an impassive expression. "I think we should just be friends for now, Bec."
    "I don't understand, Zach. Last night—"
    "I'm sorry about last night. It shouldn't have happened."
    "I'm confused." She couldn't believe what was happening. Did she read it all wrong? Had her brain played tricks on her? She could have sworn Zach really wanted her... and that he was jealous of Alix...
    "I'm sorry if I confused you. It wasn't my intention."
    "Okay," she said, dread growing within her as rejection loomed large. "Shall we go to the bar then? And start with being friends?"
    Zach looked ahead as if contemplating something before exhaling out loud. "You know what? I'll just see you at the theatre tomorrow with Gran and the others."
    Rebecca couldn't help the hurt that sprung to her eyes. She looked down and composed herself before lifting her head back up to smile at him. "Sure. So would you like me to leave?"
    He nodded. "Do you need me to walk you back to your room?"
    "No," she responded. What she wanted was to stay, damn it!
    "Okay," Zach said, stepping aside to give her space to walk out of his suite.
    Rebecca swallowed the pain that enveloped her. Give it your all , she heard her own voice say in her head.
    She took a couple of steps toward him. "Zach... you and me... do we still have a chance?"
    He was silent for a long second and she couldn't read his expression.
    "Time will tell, Bec," he finally said.
    She nodded, knowing what that meant. "Goodnight, Zach," she said with a brave smile, then walked out his door.
    *****
    R ebecca forced herself to walk calmly, when what she