Knowing Vera (Romantic Suspense, Family Drama) (Chance for Love) by Rachelle Ayala

cramped bathroom. Zach straightens his shorts and pulls my dress down while I retie my sundress halter. I’m breathless and speechless. He knows my body better than I do, and he does such incredible things to me. But why didn’t he participate? Has he gone shy because of his accident?
    The seatbelt lights turn off, and the captain announces that people are free to move around the cabin. Zach ruffles my hair. “I’ll go out first and be the decoy. Everyone will look away, and you can sneak back. Stay in the galley while I bribe someone to trade seats with us.”
    He exits before I can respond. I catch my image in the mirror. My cheeks are flushed and my pupils dilated. A sheen of sweat dampens my nose. I look well effed. I wet a paper towel and quickly cool myself down. After finger combing my hair, I open the lavatory door and slip into the galley, feeling the eyes of every passenger on me.
    Zach is talking to a large woman, his smile half-cocked. He gestures down the aisle at our seats and winks. The woman laughs with her entire chest and belly like he’s told her the most hilarious joke.
    He waves me over as she moves ponderously toward Cliff, patting her hair and preening.
    Cliff’s jaw drops, and his eyes pop when she climbs in. He’s shaking his head and gesturing at us, but she pinches his cheek, raises the armrest and plops herself into our combined seats.
    “What did you tell her?” I snuggle up to Zach while he fastens my seatbelt.
    “That he’s looking to immigrate by marrying an Aussie bride.” Zach chuckles. He taps on the seatback screen and glances at the flight map. “Now I have you to myself for the rest of the flight.”
    “And when we get to Sydney? How do we get away from Cliff?”
    “Debbie,” he nods toward the back, “says she’ll fall asleep and refuse to budge for the layover. Think Cliff will wet his pants?”
    I’m giggling and my heart’s fluttering too fast. I cuddle into Zach’s arms. With no one else occupying the third seat in our section, we can stretch out and nestle closer. The cabin lights are dim as most of the passengers sleep.
    “Zach?” My body’s still warm and fluffy from our encounter.
    “Mmmm …” He jerks his good leg and inhales deeply.
    “Does this count as spending the night with you?”
    “You bet. Promise me many more and I’ll keep giving it to you.”

Chapter 12
    We left San Francisco Thursday evening and arrive in Sydney on Saturday morning. Freaky that I’ve lost a day of my life, but Zach points out I was born in the Philippines so I’m actually even now. This puzzles me because I wasn’t born in the Philippines, and what would make him so confident in saying this? But I don’t bother correcting him. The less he knows about my parents, the better.
    The sun is rising over Sydney harbor, and glittering specks reflect off the wings of the famous Opera House. The harbor is asymmetrical with an even marine blue tone, calm, unlike the boisterous San Francisco Bay filled with whitecaps. Sunlight glitters off the spectacular skyline, and the Sydney Bridge shines like a jeweled bracelet.
    The airplane circles and lands for the layover. Zach quickly retrieves our carry-ons while Cliff sleeps, his head lolling on Debbie’s ample shoulders. I snap a picture to send to my uncle. Ha! Some bodyguard he turned out to be. I have no idea how he cooked up this story to get a free plane ticket from my uncle, but I really don’t care.
    Now that I think about it, it will be good to stay with Zach’s aunt. I’ll be able to investigate his mother and find out who had a motive to kill her. Zach holds my hand as we walk down the jet way into the airport. He’s so romantic and sweet, always touching me in endearing ways. After clearing customs, we turn toward ground transportation.
    I’m surprised at the number of people at this hour, but Zach expertly weaves us between the kiosks and stores selling jewelry, clothing and refreshments. As soon as we step out