SEBASTIAN drove downtown with Alexandra to the construction company around midmorning the next day. So far, it had been uncomfortable for the past few days. They barely talked to one another, but now that he was committed to confronting her, at least an end was in sight. In the close quarters of his Jeep, he turned on the charm to get her to loosen up a bit. It was obvious she had doubts about staying at his place, which easily explained why she made herself so scarce. Hell, he was rethinking it too.

Somehow, the question of exes entered their strained conversation, and he had to ask. “So are you telling me it was so bad that you would rather have a one-night stand instead of going out on one date with your most recent ex?”

Alexandra squealed with horrified laughter. “That’s so messed up, Bash! Hmmm. Let me think. You know what? That’s easy. If I had to choose, I’d pick the one-night stand. My ex is such a douche—d-d-delusional broad, I mean!”

“Delusional broad? Does anyone say ‘broad’ anymore?”

“What? I like it, and delusional fits. If you ever met my ex, you’d completely get it.”

“Okay, I guess,” he said, shaking his head. “Well you’re lucky we don’t have time to get into it. That’s the building up there at the next corner.”

Sebastian found a parking spot and turned off the engine.

“Well, this is it. Are you ready?”

Still giggling, Alexandra hopped out of the vehicle as Sebastian walked around to the sidewalk. She shielded her eyes and gazed up at the towering corporate office.

“Wow, that’s big,” she murmured.

“Yes, but, don’t let the size intimidate you. This contractor’s rates are reasonable, and I’m pretty sure they can handle your timetable and get things started before Max gets released from the hospital. These guys are good.”

He pointed the way and motioned for her to go in through the revolving door at the front of the building. His eyes kept straying to her. Alexandra had this uncanny way of holding his attention. He wasn’t sure how much of that allure had to do with the forbidden nature of their attraction while she was busy trying to pull off being a guy.

I’ll find out soon enough.

He pulled out the business card from his wallet to confirm the floor they needed to go to, and led Alexandra to the elevator bay. The two of them slipped inside before the elevator doors closed.

Alexandra turned to look up at him. “I don’t mean to get all sentimental on you, but I want to tell you as I’ll be leaving soon. I feel lucky to have a friend like you…”

For a moment, their eyes locked. She seemed like she was so open.

This is a weird place for her to confess, but whatever.

Instead, she said, “Thanks for helping me find a contractor. I’d probably still be calling on less than qualified handymen right now if it wasn’t for you. You know how much guys hate asking for help.”

The elevator dinged on their floor, and the doors slid open. “It’s women who think that, Alex,” he said, giving her a nudge on the arm so she would step off. “I won’t speak for every guy, but I prefer to figure things out on my own if I can. I don’t mind asking for help when I need to.”

She had no response, not even a nod. Shaking his head, he ushered Alexandra to the suite. Without thinking, he opened the door and stood aside for her to go inside.

Alexandra didn’t skip a beat, and entered, until she realized he had held the door for her the way he would for a woman. Looking back, she flashed him a glare. “Thanks bud. You know I can get my own doors, right?”

He walked in behind her. “It’s not a big deal, but I get it. After all, how else are you gonna build up those pecs if you don’t open your own—”

Sebastian’s jaw dropped and he stopped dead in his tracks just inside the office.

What in the hell is she doing here?

Aileen stood at the front desk of the construction company’s office. Aileen, the cheating married woman who played him like a fiddle until that phone call over Christmas, was here.

Alexandra turned to him and quickly noticed his reaction. Sebastian looked back and forth between the two of them. He instantly wanted to turn and leave, but that wasn’t an option. Alexandra needed this contractor to get the restoration work started. Gritting his teeth, he stood his ground and waited for his ex to notice them.

Aileen threw her hands to her face and shrieked in surprise when she finally looked up. “Sebastian? Sebastian Sullivan!” she squealed. The waiting area of Ward & Baron Construction was a small space. Thankfully there were no other clients waiting around, but Aileen’s animated greeting made Alexandra’s head snap toward her at lightning speed. Sebastian forced a polite smile and hoped for the best.

Alexandra was now the one looking back and forth between the two of them, curious as ever. Before Sebastian could explain—hell, before Alexandra could even formulate the right questions to ask—Aileen sashayed from behind the desk and positioned herself between him and Alexandra. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his jaw seductively, making it clear what kind of history they had. The realization dawned on Alexandra’s face.

Now she has to know I’m straight.

“How nice to see you, Bash!” Aileen gushed, pulling out of the embrace and now wrapping her arms around his waist. “This is such a surprise.”

At the flash of Aileen’s wedding band, Sebastian got angry all over again at something that happened over seven months ago.

Fuck.

Forcing a smile, he pushed down the involuntary reaction and pulled himself from her clingy grasp.

“Yes, definitely a surprise. What are you doing here, Aileen?”

“I work here, honey. I started a few months ago.”

“Great.” Remembering his manners, he added, “Aileen, this is my friend Alex. Alex, this is, Aileen…someone I used to know.”

Aileen tossed her glistening honey blonde hair and barely looked over her shoulder toward Alexandra, as though the person who walked in with Sebastian was irrelevant.

“Is that all I am to you? Someone you used to know? Don’t say it like that, baby. Unless you mean you knew me in the biblical sense, in which case, yes you did.” She pressed her hands on his chest and popped up on her tiptoes to whisper, “You knew me very well,” for only him to hear.

Sebastian took a step back. Over Aileen’s shoulder, he saw Alexandra staring at the back of Aileen’s head with something more than annoyance. She was obviously pissed as hell, but, the minute she noticed him looking at her, she strained a pleasant smile.

“Bash, what impeccable taste you have,” Alexandra said.

It was such a catty, feminine response that Sebastian was sure Alexandra had forgotten she was still playing her Alex Roberts role. He couldn’t tell if she was upset at finding out he wasn’t gay, or if she was simply reacting to the way Aileen ignored her.

Aileen chuckled and did a half-turn. “Oh, you’re so cute! What are you, in college or something? Way to use your SAT words, kid.” She turned back to Sebastian. “Who’s your little friend, Bash?”

Embarrassed, Sebastian grimaced. “As I said, this is Alex. We’re looking for Gerald Campbell, and we’re kind of in a hurry, here. Is he available?”

“Aww, babe,” she pouted, “Mr. Campbell is at a job site. You just missed him, but he’ll be back in an hour. You two should wait here for him. We can catch up on old times.”

“I’d rather not. We’ll come back to see him.”

“I haven’t seen you in months, Bash. What have you been up to?” She pushed closer and dropped her voice, but not enough for Alexandra to miss what she was saying. “You stopped taking my calls, baby. I figured you blocked my number or something. I’ve missed you, Bash.”

Sebastian didn’t bother to confirm Aileen’s statement. When he put Aileen out of his life, he had intended it to be for good. It was just bad luck that they ran into each other today.

He stepped toward the door. “We have to go now. Come on, Alex.”

Aileen ran back to the front desk. “Wait, let me give you his new card. Phone his cell number. He has the afternoon open and can meet you in person if you need an estimate.” She scribbled something down on the back and, with a wink, flirtatiously tucked it into the pocket on the front of Sebastian’s shirt. “Make sure you don’t lose my number again, honey.”

Alexandra rolled her eyes and marched through the door in front of him.

Sebastian took the card out of his pocket and passed it right back to Aileen. “Thanks, but no thanks. I already have his card, so I can phone his cell. Hey, how’s your husband been lately?”

He couldn’t resist the reminder before he turned to leave after Alexandra. A genuine smile rose up on his face at the uncomfortable glimmer in Aileen’s eyes.

“He’s fine,” she said nervously. “Thanks for asking.”

Sebastian nodded and walked out. He found Alexandra waiting at the elevator bay. The awkwardness rapidly presented itself on the elevator and when they made their way to his car. Once inside, he turned on the radio to drown out the silence. He looked over at Alexandra before starting the car. She was staring out the window.

“I can phone the contractor when we get back to the house if you’d like. If you prefer, there are other companies we can try. You don’t need to wait for this one.”

She turned to him, eyes squinted as though confused. “I know I’m prying, but what was up with that chick?”

“Remember the married person I told you about? The person I told you did a number on me?” She nodded. “Yeah, that was her.”

“Her?”

“Yes. Why?”

“I don’t know. I just assumed you were talking about a…” She trailed off and shrugged. “She didn’t fit the profile of what I had in mind.”

“Really? What profile is that?”

“Never mind. I mean, I guess I can see why you liked her.”

He knew what Alexandra assumed. She had no idea Sebastian let her assume whatever she wanted to. In fact, he may have stirred the pot a bit, letting her think he was gay, but that was her assumption to begin with. Coming on to her while she was playing Alex Roberts was his only shot at getting to know the girl next door, and he wasn’t going to apologize for that. Now, Alexandra pulled away even more with each mile on the drive home.

“She’s pretty hot if you go for that kind of thing,” Alexandra said softly when they pulled up to the house.

“She’s a lot of things, most of them are not that great. I hope you know I didn’t expect to see her there.”

“Yes. That part was pretty clear.”

He found himself hesitating. “It brings back a lot of bad memories, but that’s neither here nor there. Aileen Gales is out of my life. You’d probably feel the same way if you bumped into one of your exes.”

Sebastian climbed out of the Jeep and waited for Alexandra out of habit, but she pushed past him and headed next door.

“I have to check on some things,” she called over her shoulder.

“Okay. I’ll search for a few other contractor details so you can pick the one you prefer.”

“Thanks. See you later.” She waved him off.

It’s official.

My secret’s out, and she isn’t too happy about it.

Let’s see if she’ll come clean now.