Chapter Nine

"Mr. Drake's office calling."

Lila bit her lip as she recognized the efficient tones of Helen Douglas, Alex's assistant.

"How can I help you?"

"Mr. Drake would like me to set up a meeting to discuss the catering of his wedding. He's asked for a time this week that would be appropriate to come by your establishment. Evenings work best for his schedule."

Lila rolled her eyes. She bet evenings did work best. Just like the evening he'd spent in her kitchen. And the one she'd spent in his. Oh no, evenings would not work best for her schedule.

"I'm sorry, but my evenings are tied up. I can meet Mr. Drake in the afternoon. And not at my place, er, my establishment either."

"I see." Helen's voice was curious, but she didn't press the matter. "Mr. Drake does have an opening at one on Thursday. He usually takes his lunch then, but--"

"Lunch is fine." Lila jumped on the excuse not to be alone with Alex in his office. She didn't trust herself behind closed doors with the man. Lunch would be perfect. A very public lunch. "Is there a restaurant nearby that Mr. Drake frequents?"

Lila imagined she could hear the wheels turning in Helen's head. "Let's see, he's fond of a little place in Chinatown, within walking distance of the building." Helen gave her the name and address, and Lila agreed to meet Mr. Drake there on Thursday.

She didn't notice how fast her heart was beating until she hung up the phone. Damn, just the thought of meeting with the man made her palms sweaty and her heart rate increase. Picturing Alex Drake was a better workout than doing an hour's worth of cardio.

Still, Thursday didn't give her much time to come up with a game plan. Lila was grateful for all the research she'd done for the Masterson wedding. She knew what upscale ceremonies called for. But tailoring to Alex's tastes would be a challenge. Not to mention his fiancée's tastes. Then again, Lila wondered if the woman even ate at all.

The soon-to-be Mrs. Drake was tall, thin, and willowy. A man's dream. Her perfect white smile and mile-long legs were death to the competition. Especially when that competition was five foot five and probably had more than fifty pounds on her. Hell, probably a hundred.

Lila sighed. Why the fuck was she comparing herself with Alana Morgan? Yes, she knew who the woman was, had googled her and found tons of pictures of Alana and Alex. Tons of gossip sites bursting with rumors of their engagement. She was mentally kicking herself for not googling Alex before the party, her only excuse being that she'd been too busy to bother. But she'd learned her lesson well, and had tortured herself with internet innuendo about their relationship for hours.

Every day she'd berated herself for falling into the same trap again. Just like high school, only almost more painful, since this was real life and she wasn't supposed to make the same mistakes. Every night she'd laid in her bed remembering his hands on her, her body too revved up with the memories to surrender to sleep until she brought herself to climax and exhaustion. And every morning she'd wake up, feeling guilty, feeling cornered, but feeling sweet anticipation at seeing him again.

Why would he hire her for his wedding? She'd asked herself this question dozens of times, and had yet to come up with a suitable answer. She doubted that he wanted to continue their...affair wasn't quite the right word. Hook-up? He'd been a jerk for not telling her about the engagement, no doubt, but he didn't seem a big enough ass to continue his seduction of her, not with her knowing. If it wasn't lust, then what was it?

Guilt, her mind whispered, and Lila shivered. Alex felt guilty over using her and was throwing her a bone by letting her cater his wedding. Lila prayed that she was wrong, feeling that the pain she'd experience if guilt was driving him would be greater than the betrayal she'd already experienced. She didn't need any man's pity, even if she did need the exposure for her business.

If it wasn't lust, and it wasn't guilt, Lila couldn't begin to fathom what the real reason for his generosity could be. Again her mind attacked, bringing up an even greater fear than the thought of Alex's guilt. He's setting you up.

No. She shook her head. Why would Alex be setting her up? For what purpose?

To expose you and embarrass you. Like before.

No!

Lila covered her eyes, pressing on them to keep the tears from welling up. This wasn't like before. She'd never let anything like that happen to her again.

Lila sprang from the table, desperate to drive out her treacherous thoughts. She piled a stack of magazines, cookbooks, and notes on her table and dove in, praying that hard work would banish her past and keep her future safe.