Orange Blossom Brides (4 page)

She blinked, having forgotten she sat at her work desk or that the intern’s current choice of hair color was a deep plum with streaks of pink. The outrageous do framed large hazel eyes and brought out the natural blush on the girl’s cheeks. With her wild hair, fun personality and desire to work hard, Jewel had become a welcome addition to the KLC family. Also a good friend.

At the lowest point in her life, Lilli only left her apartment to go to work, until her mother threatened to come over to cheer her up. Not happening. So she’d thrown on an oversize T-shirt, baggy shorts and flip-flops to wander downtown, window shopping to get her mind off the sad state of her life.

She hadn’t liked the lack of direction in her life, but couldn’t seem to drag herself out of her funk. The scent of freshly brewed coffee had snagged her attention as she passed Cuppa Joe, so she’d ventured in. After placing her order, she’d taken a seat on the couch located in the corner just as Jewel breezed in. Before Lilli knew it, Jewel had engaged her in conversation and somehow managed to drag Lilli, kicking and screaming, back into the real world. For that, Lilli would be forever grateful.

After the horrible night when Rob left her, she’d questioned herself and her decisions. She knew he’d have preferred she stay home rather than work. He’d wanted someone to take care of him and had seen her job as competition. They’d had a few arguments about her quitting, but she’d attributed that to the wedding stress as the date drew near. The night of the wedding rehearsal, he told her the truth. The excuses about her working were a ruse. He didn’t know what he wanted out of life, but knew he didn’t want to get married. At least, not to her. It had taken her two-point-five seconds to realize she couldn’t marry him, either. She’d finally found her identity after years of hiding in her parents’ shadows. Finally found peace with who she had become. She wasn’t going to give that up for any man.

If she did ever manage to fall in love, the man would have to prove to her, without a shadow of a doubt, that she came first in his life. Until then, her job gave her purpose, and when she’d found out about the promotion, she’d gone all-out after it.

The poking stopped. “You’ve been out of it all morning,” Jewel said. “Ever since you got back from your meeting. How about we take a break? Go get some lunch?”

“It’s lunch time already?” Lilli frowned. “I should skip. I haven’t gotten much done, and Jim needs my report by the end of the day. He’s finally on board with me going for the promotion and I can’t blow it. Not with Nate after the same job.”

And she wouldn’t. She had all the qualities to make a good account executive.

She had a bachelor’s degree in marketing. She was calm under pressure. Being well-organized and self-motivated was a plus when hunting for new clients. She communicated with skill, although her mother might argue that fact since Lilli couldn’t get Max to volunteer as a groom. And lastly, she worked well with others. A team player. Until she got placed on her mother’s team, apparently.

“What’s up with you, anyway? You’ve been here in body, but your mind is elsewhere.”

“Hmm? Oh, I have a lot of things to think about.” Like brides and grooms and handsome private-security consultants, to name a few.

“Your mom’s project?”

“For one. She’s got this list and committees and...way too much for me to handle while working full time. Did you know my mom has a volunteer committee working for her? Working for her! And still she wants me to handle all the little details. Has she ever heard of delegation?”

Jewel’s perfectly arched brow rose.

“Her lists are so detailed she must have spent hours putting them together. I have to admit, they’re almost better than mine, and that’s saying a lot. After seeing what she has in store for this show, I realize handling all this is a big deal.” Blowing out a breath, she rested her chin on her upraised hand, sure she conjured up a picture of pure dejection. “Can I run a fashion show and go after that promotion without messing up? Especially when there are others in the office after it, too?”

“If anyone can do this, you can. The timing is perfect. It’s been a year since, well, never mind. Look at this as your get-out-of-the-rut card.”

Lilli laughed. “I hadn’t looked at it that way.”

“You should. And it’s my job, as your friend, to be there for you. You know, to remind you to get out and have a life. To meet guys. Although I have to admit, you’ve been too picky in the men department, but I’ll keep on trying.”

“Along with my mother,” Lilli said dryly.

“Well, you’re not easy to work with. All guys aren’t like Rob. If you’d give someone a chance you’d find out.”

Yeah, her head knew that, but her heart hadn’t made the leap—witness the wave of unwelcome memories plaguing her this morning. She realized she didn’t want to go down that road again. Not if the ache in her stomach that had started at the mention of the country club became a permanent ailment. Eventually she’d have to step into that place, but not right this moment. Steering the conversation back to the present, Lilli told her friend, “You know, just for spite, I should make you help me out.”

A flash of surprise lit Jewel’s eyes, then a slow grin spread across her magenta lips. “This could work, you know. I do have an eye for fashion.”

Lilli scrutinized the bohemian outfit of layered black and fuchsia tank tops matched with a flippy cotton skirt and sparkly sandals before glancing down at her own conservative outfit. What had happened to her sense of style? Standard blouse and skirt. Blend into the wall, why don’t you?

“Hey, we all can’t dress like we walked out of
Vogue
.”

She loved her young friend. Jewel’s fashion sense? Not always. But right now, her own wardrobe needed a major overhaul, so who was she to balk?

“I was thinking more of you helping me here, in case I get behind or if Jim starts piling on the work.” She flashed a pleading smile. “Please?”

Jewel laughed. “I can do that—as long as I get a shot at working the benefit.”

Lilli thought about it for a few seconds, glancing at the file folder sitting on her desk. Getting Jewel to help might not be a bad idea. She nodded to the file. “There are all kinds of reception pictures in there. Why don’t you take a look and put together some ideas for me?”

Jewel’s eyes lit up. “You’d trust me to do that? I’m still an intern here.”

“An intern who is about to be hired on as staff. You’ve proved yourself. Enough said. There’s already a committee set up to do whatever I need, but give me some ideas and we’ll go from there.”

“I still can’t believe Jim decided to hire me.” Jewel grabbed the large file, hugging it to her chest. “And now this. Thanks.”

“Well, that’s two jobs down for today. Since I bombed on the first one, knowing you’ll help has lessened my anxiety level.”

“Two?” Jewel asked as she took a seat and explored the file.

“I’d hoped to get my number-one priority out of the way this morning.”

“You mean getting your mother’s stuff from the historical society?”

“Yes and no. I got the lists, but first I was supposed to talk Max Sanders into volunteering as one of the grooms.”

Jewel’s head popped up and her eyes grew wide. “Max Sanders? The hunky new P.I.?”

“Private security consultant,” Lilli corrected.

“You know him?”

Boy, did she know him. She wasn’t ready to fill Jewel in on the details. She still needed to process the events of the morning.

When Lilli didn’t respond, Jewel continued. “I met him at Cuppa Joe last week. You know me—never met a stranger.”

Or a prospective date for Lilli. “You didn’t mention him.”

Jewel bent her head, busy searching the file. “Guess it slipped my mind.”

Hardly. Good-looking guys never slipped Jewel’s mind.

“Is there something wrong?”

Jewel’s head jerked up again. “No! Why would you ask that?”

“Because you didn’t try to introduce us.”

A few beats passed before a knowing grin flashed across Jewel’s face. “You’re interested in him.”

“I didn’t say that.” Nor would she ever admit it because that would lead to heartache. She didn’t do heartache anymore.

“You’ve never asked me about a guy before.”

Lilli shrugged. “I kind of have to work with him for the fund-raiser. I’m curious.”

“So am I. Now.” Jewel dragged her chair to Lilli’s desk. “Details.”

“My mother wanted me to confirm Max as a volunteer groom. That’s all.”

“And...?”

“He refused. I used my strong powers of persuasion, and he still turned me down.”

Jewel eyed her with skepticism.

“Okay, so my mother hired him to update the security system at the historical society office and provide security for the obscenely expensive jewelry she insists on showcasing at the benefit. But even if he hadn’t already signed up to work for my mother, I was still persuasive.”

Sure you were. Right up until he all but said you should take a hike.

He wasn’t overjoyed at the prospect of being part of the fashion show. She couldn’t blame him. She wouldn’t want to model in front of all those people, either. Her mother hadn’t gone as far as asking her to participate as one of the brides. Lilli would have refused. Wearing a wedding dress again would make the memories all too real.

But Max could look at this as a working gig. A great way to gain clients. So why turn down the opportunity? He may have been a bad boy years ago, but it looked as if he’d cleaned up his act and become responsible. She could give his business a boost by promoting Sanders Security around town, the least she could do for causing him trouble all those years ago.

She grinned when she remembered his appalled expression at the mention of wearing a tuxedo. It had been worth the visit to his office to see the look on his face. And when they shook hands... She shivered in memory. She couldn’t deny the thrill when those smoky gray eyes focused on her alone. His clean-scented cologne and the promise of excitement hung in the air between them. She’d been mesmerized. And alarmed at her strong reaction to the man. The rugged tough-guy thing? Too much. So not Orlando Bloom. So not her type.

Maybe he should be
, an impish voice taunted her.

Lilli caught Jewel grinning at her. “What are you smiling at?”

“Nothing.”

Riiight.

“So, as of right now, phase one of mission ‘Return Favor to Celeste Barclay’ is a failure.”

“You’ll just have to come up with a better plan.”

“Like what?” Lilli asked.

“I have no idea. That’s your department.”

Lilli thought back to their conversation. “He was adamant about not being a groom. I wonder if the vision of him and all those brides locked in one room made him nervous?” She paused a beat. “Oh, wait, that’s
my
nightmare.”

Jewel chuckled. “So, what’s he like?” she asked, scooting closer to Lilli’s desk so she could settle in to hear all the dirt. “I only got a few minutes in Cuppa Joe with him. Not a chatty guy. More interested in getting his morning coffee and heading out the door.” Lilli knew perfectly well her friend wouldn’t budge until she had her fill of information. “A real bad boy, right?”

“How would I know?” But yeah, a bad boy. She’d known that the first time she’d laid eyes on him. Today’s meeting only confirmed her first impression. Because of that, she had a hard time loosening up around him and probably came off sounding very starchy. But he just oozed masculinity. Did he have to be so good-looking? And smell so good? Exceptionally good. When their gazes had connected over the desktop, she’d had to ignore the urge to ask what he’d done with his life since the summer they’d met.

Jewel continued. “So, we know he’s gorgeous—”

Yeah, that, too.

“—if you like that kind.” Jewel eyed her with suspicion.

“What kind?” Lilli had lost track of the thread of conversation.

“Tall, built, alpha attitude?”

Oh, yeah. All those things.

“You got all this at a coffee shop?” Lilli asked, busying herself with papers on her desk, hoping to hide her sappy smile.

“It’s the vibe he sends out. Can’t miss it.” Jewel watched Lilli tidy up. “So that’s why you haven’t gotten any work done.”

“Huh?”

“And you’ve got the look.”

“What look?”

“Interested.”

“No way.” Did she? She hadn’t been dwelling on him
all
morning, just snatches of time here and there. “And I can prove he’s not my type. Not only did his clothing leave something to be desire—”

“What was he wearing?”

“What was he what?”

“Wearing? Obviously it bothers you.”

“I don’t know. Faded jeans. Tight black T-shirt. Five-o’clock shadow first thing in the morning.”

Jewels eyebrows arched. “I didn’t know shaving qualified as a fashion accessory.”

“It’s just unprofessional.”

“He’s a private investigator.” Jewel threw her a look. “The last thing he wants to do is stick out in a crowd.”

“I guess.” Lilli pursed her lips, exasperated by her friend’s interrogation. Cringing, she hoped she hadn’t come across as uptight with Max, but she was very afraid she had. “Then explain this. When we were in his office, I noticed a wall calendar. Penciled in every Saturday is a woman’s name. A
different
woman’s name. Cards with Terri. The gazebo with Margaret. Drive with Carolyn.”

“Which means what?”

“I don’t know. He’s a player?”

Jewel laughed.

“What?”

“That sounds so funny coming from you.”

“Hey, I can be hip if I want to.”

Jewel continued laughing. “Keep telling yourself that, but I know better.”

“You know I don’t go out with guys like him.” Even to herself Lilli sounded uppity.

“Problem is, you don’t go out at all,” Jewel muttered, then flushed at Lilli’s hurt expression. “I’m sorry. I call ’em like I see ’em. And you’ve got Max on the brain.” Jewel placed the wedding file back on the desk. “Let’s go eat. You need a break from all this charity-event talk and I want to check out the new place downtown, Pointe Café.”

Lilli glanced at her computer screen again, knowing she wouldn’t get any more work done. Max Sanders had captured her thoughts, thanks to Jewel’s prodding. She needed a change of scenery. After saving her work, she stood. “Let’s go.”