Free Escaping Christmas by Lisa DeVore

really believe I’m perfectly suited for a man who cheats and lies?” Alex knew Zach was listening, but she wanted her mother off her back and if she thought there was no hope for her and Owen, then maybe she’d drop the subject.
    “I’ve met someone yes,” she admitted, avoiding Zach’s gaze. “He’s kind, caring, and considerate.” Not to mention drop-dead gorgeous, but she wasn’t going to add that within his earshot. And she wasn’t going to admit she was a charity case because he was worried about her safety.
    “Alexandra, be reasonable. They’re all kind and considerate at first. You need to quit being foolish. You need to make smart business decisions. I’m sure if you let Owen explain you’ll be more understanding. Besides, a relationship with him is an excellent move for your future.”
    “My future’s just fine. It’s yours you’re worried about. Listen, Mother, I don’t need your permission or your approval. If you talk to him again tell him to move on. I am. I have to go.”
    “Is he there with you now?”
    God, she was nosey. “Yes.”
    “Does he have a name? What does he do for a living?”
    “I’m not giving you that information, so you can have a background check run on him.” Alex knew how her mother operated.
    “You can never be too careful, Alexandra.”
    “Mother, no.” The phone left her hand and she turned to find Zach speaking into it.
    “Mrs. Storm? My name is Zach Camden. That’s C-a-m-d-e-n. You are welcome to have me checked out. I have nothing to hide. I care for your daughter very much. If a background check puts you at ease, you have my permission.”

Chapter Eleven
    Did she just hear him right? Had he really told her mother to do a background check? She forced her gaping mouth shut. Dear God, she was going to have a tirade. No one talked to Mrs. Storm without an invitation.
    “Yes ma’am, that’s what I said. I care for her.” Listening to one side of the conversation was killing Alex. “What kind of feelings? Well, ma’am, we’re working on that.”
    Alex stared at him in shock. “She wants to talk to you again.” He handed the phone to her. “I’m going to go look for those decorations.” He gave an encouraging squeeze on the shoulder before he left the room.
    She took a deep breath before speaking and attempted to hide the shock from her voice. “Okay, you’re happy now? You can do your background check. He’s everything Owen could never be. I’ll see you in January, Mother.” She didn’t wait for the response on the other end before hanging up.
    She stared at the phone before throwing it on the end table beside her. Zach, more or less, admitted to having feelings for her. To her mother. Her thoughts were all over. She was certainly attracted to him. And did he really mean it or was he trying to save her from an embarrassing situation? She stood and glanced around, not sure where the loft was. There was a door on the opposite side of the living room she hadn’t been in yet. She hadn’t paid attention where he went when he left. She was too busy fending off the interrogation and recovering from the shock.
    Alex opened the door. It was another little bedroom and it was freezing cold. Goose bumps settled on her skin quickly. The sound of boxes shifting around captured her attention. Following the noise to the wooden ladder propped against the wall, she raised her eyes upward. Should she confront him? And how does one start a conversation like this? So, Zach, what do you really feel for me? Against her better judgment she climbed.
    “Need some help?” she asked casually. It was dark, but he had a flashlight and she could see him well enough.
    “Sure. I’ve got the boxes we need right here. I’ll go down and you can push them to me.”
    Alex climbed up the rest of the way, kneeling beside him. “Zach?”
    “Yeah,” he responded without looking at her.
    “Did you tell my mother the truth?” She couldn’t even say the word.
    He held the