Chapter 19 - Taking Fate into Her Own Hands

Emily had just finished breakfast and was enjoying the morning sunshine coming through her kitchen window. In this sunny spot she was reading an Elizabeth George novel that had her on the edge of her seat with suspense. Emily however nearly did fall off the couch at the sound of INXS's Devils Party, her lastest ring tone, blare from her skirt pocket.

"Bloody hell!" she cursed. "Note to self. Always turn down ring volume after partying the night before."

Putting away her book with the insistant mobile blaring away in her pocket, Emily was surprised to find that it was Lucy calling. After all, she had just been with Lucy most of yesterday and last night.

She hoped everything was all right.

"Ahh Em, so glad that I caught you" Lucy said breathlessly.

"Its 9am Lucy, where was I gonna be at this time girl and hey, what are you so excited about? I was worried when I saw your name pop up on my mo..."

But in her excitment, Lucy cut Emily off, "Em! You'll never guess!! He called me last night, when we were out!"

"Back up a minute Lucy, who called you?" Emily enquired.

"Zachary Em. Your friend who I met at your house warming party." Lucy replied.

"Wow Lucy, I know he seemed to like you but I never expected him to call you so soon. He's a fairly reserved kind of character but he did seem to really like you though. Not sure if you know, but his family has alot of money you know. Old money and he's a pretty good catch and definitely not ugly. What message did he leave anyway?"

"Just that he'd call me back. Em, I'm nervous. I know that I'm not over Dylan and not sure I ever will be but I do like Zach. I'm just afraid of not giving myself enough time after Dylan. What should I do??"

"Don't analysis it Lucy, just call him. What will be, will be. Look, I know him and I doubt that he'd hurt you in a million years. Go for it girl. You deserve it."

And with that said, Em gave Lucy Zach's phone number and with an enormous amount of courage, Lucy rang Zach.

Impartial to long, hot, bubble baths, Zach was de-stressing and letting the heat relax his muscles and the bath oil scent to calm his thoughts. He was debating about calling Lucy back.

"Did I call to soon?" He thought aloud.

But Zach couldn't deny that the girl had really made an impact on him.

It was then that he heard the phone ringing. Jumping out of the relaxing bath and sloshing bubbles and water everywhere he quickly did a spin to get dressed and ran for the phone.

"Must get a phone and plasma TV in the bathroom of the new house" he thought to himself.

"Hello, Zach speaking."

"Hi Zach, its Lucy Burb returning your call."

"Hi Lucy! I was going to call you later today but thanks for calling me."

"Thats no problem. I got your number from Emily. I hope that you don't mind?"

"No, not at all! Not at all. Em knows me well enough to know who to give my number too and who not. With the family business and all, we tend to keep our home number private."

"Oh good. I hope that I haven't called at a bad time. You sound a little out of breath."

"Oh no, I just was having a bath when I heard the phone. It was in bit of a sprint to get dressed and to the phone in time. I'm in the process of building a new house and I plan to have a phone installed in the bathroom, if not in every room."

"Hey, thats cool. Where are you building?"

"Hey, how about you come over to my place for supper tonight and I'll show you the house plans and stuff if your interested?"

Lucy went silent.

"Lucy, are you there?"

"Oh, umm, yeah. Sorry about that. Just thought I heard someone call me. Nope, I mean yes, supper sounds good. What time suits you and I'll need your address."

Zach gave Lucy his address and they decided 6pm would be good as Lucy had to start job hunting early the next day. Finishing up with some small talk, Zach hung up and immediately called Kaylynn, the house maid, to come over today and get the house in tip top shape for Lucy tonight.

Zach felt as nervous as hell.

Lucy approached the house and hoped that she had the right place. She was not familiar with this part of town.

"Oh dear. Here we go!" she whispered to herself. And with a deep breath she crossed the street to ring the doorbell.

Ringing the bell, Lucy stood back away from the door and looked at the garden. The house seemed too 'pretty' for a bloke.

Not long after, Zach appeared and greeted Lucy with a smile that could melt the hardest of hearts.

"Hi Lucy," Zach said softly, giving Lucy a light kiss on the cheek.

"Hi Zach. I was was just admiring your garden." Lucy replied shyly.

"Oh I don't deserve any credit for it. We have a gardener look after the grounds here. This house is for dad's business associates to stay in when they come to town. I'm just styaing here for a few weeks until my own pad is finished. Its up there on the hill near the entry to Pleasantville. You can see it from here."

Gently taking Lucy's waist, Zach turned her in the direction of the hill were his house was being built. Leaning in close, he pointed to the site so that Lucy could see it.

"Wow, what a view you'll have!"

"I know. Its going to be gorgeous when its done. I actually head over tomorrow for a final inspection as they are 99% complete. Anyway, I'm being rude not offering my guest a pre dinner drink. Shall we?"

Offering his arm, Lucy put hers through his and together they walked around the rear of the house where Zach had set up champagne beside the pool.

Pouring a drink, Zach toasted to new friendships and then the two of them, under the clear night sky, the smell of the sea and the sound of waves breaking in the distance, talked and talked and talked.

Dinner was soon forgotten as the two of them became engrossed in each others words. They talked of their families, their childhoods and their dreams.

And of great surprise to Lucy, she found herself telling Zach about Dylan and Nicole. She felt as though she could tell this man anything and it felt lovely.

but mostly they laughed and laughed....

And before Lucy knew it, it was late and time to go home.

"Gosh, time flew tonight" Lucy said

"It sure did. I had a really good time Lucy."

"Me too Zach."

"Can I see you again? I understand if its too soon and all..."

"Zach, I'd love too."

"Great! Well I gotta get the new house sorted but how about at the end of the week? I'm hoping to have moved by then and will have a house warming party. Sound ok?"

"Awesome" said Lucy.

And with a hug that lingered a little to long for 'just friends' Lucy walked back home with a light feeling in her heart and a smile on lips that she hadn't seen since moving back this town.