Reunited with the Lassiter Bride

by Barbara Dunlop

  He also realized that the kiss had answered his original question. There was no need to apologize. He tried to rein in his ego, but he failed.

  He voiced his suspicions. “You liked it. That’s why you didn’t stop me. You liked my hand on your thigh.”

  “I did not,” she snapped.

  “You said you wouldn’t lie.”

  “I told you, it shocked me.”

  “But you liked it,” he challenged.

  She looked him straight in the eyes. “Like I said, we have to be careful.”

  She might not have confirmed it. But she hadn’t denied it.

  He couldn’t help the self-satisfied grin that spread across his face.

  Four

  “Angelica?” Her brother Dylan’s voice came over the speakerphone on the meeting room table. “Is there something you want to tell us?”

  Angelica had temporarily set herself up in a comfortable meeting room on the twenty-eighth floor of the Lassiter Media building, leaving the top floor boardroom and J.D.’s office free for the renovators.

  “Tell you what? And who is us?” she asked as she continued to page through a financial report.

  “The us is me and Sage. The what is the article in the Weekly Break newspaper about you and Evan getting back together.”

  Angelica snatched up the telephone receiver, glancing worriedly at the open meeting room door. “What?”

  “That’s what I’m asking you,” Dylan responded mildly.

  “I don’t know where they’d get that.” Her mind flipped frantically back to last night when she’d kissed Evan at the parking lot on the highway. Could a reporter have possibly gotten a shot of them in that moment? “Is there a picture?”

  “Is there a picture?” Dylan parroted. “Are you telling me there might possibly be a picture?”

  “There can’t be a picture,” she lied. “Unless it’s an old one. You know, maybe with a current newspaper Photoshopped into it.”

  “It’s not a ransom demand.”

  “I realize that.” She didn’t know what else to say.

  “Angie?” Dylan’s tone was searching. “What’s going on?”

  “Nothing is going on.”

  She caught a flash of movement in the corner of her eye and glanced up to see Evan in the doorway, a copy of the Weekly Break in his hand.

  “I have to go,” she said to Dylan.

  “Angie.”

  “I have a meeting.” Her eyes locked with Evan’s. “It’s nothing. They’ve made up a story is all.”

  “Are you sure, because we’d all be very happy—”

  “Goodbye, Dylan.” She quickly hung up the phone.

  “You heard?” asked Evan, walking into the meeting room.

  “You shouldn’t be here.”

  She came to her feet, crossing the room to close the door.

  “You might not want to close that,” he observed.

  “Speculation is probably better than having them overhear our conversation. What happened? What does it say?” She reflexively put a hand to her forehead. “Oh, man, how is Conrad going to react to this?”

  Evan tossed the paper onto the top of the meeting table. “I think Conrad’s the source.”

  She glanced down to see a damning headline on the front page. There was a picture of them, but thank goodness it was from last year.

  “They didn’t catch us last night?” she asked, spinning the paper right-side up in her direction.

  “Now, that’s the kind of thing you don’t want people to overhear.”

  She frowned at him. “You know what I mean.”

  “There’s no new photo,” he confirmed. “But an unnamed source quoted me as saying I’d be a blind fool to give you up.”

  Angelica closed her eyes for a long moment. “Conrad.”

  “Unless it was the butler.”

  She opened her eyes to look at Evan. “Butlers get fired for a lot less than that.”

  “My money’s definitely on Conrad.”

  “But why would he do that? He said he wanted the Lassiters to stay out of the tabloids.”

  “Maybe he’s calling our bluff.”

  “No.” But she hesitated. “You think?” She glanced down at the article. “What would be his motivation?”

  “I don’t pretend to have the first clue about what makes that man tick.”

  “What are we supposed to do now?” They couldn’t let this stand. But they couldn’t let Conrad know the truth either. Kayla’s wedding was at stake.

  “We may have to ride it out.”

  Angelica did not like the sound of that. She dropped back into her chair, voice going low, trepidation rising. “What do you mean, ride it out?”

  “I mean...” He pulled out a chair across from her and sat down. “We don’t deny anything to anybody until after the ceremony.”

  “And let the world think we’re getting back together?”

  Evan shrugged.

  She shook her head. “Uh-uh. No way.”

  “I’m not saying it’s a good answer.”

  “We can’t do that.”

  “The alternative is to tell Conrad we lied.”

  She continued shaking her head. “We can’t do that either.”

  “Then tell me the third option.”

  She frantically searched her brain. But there was no third option. She brought the side of her fist down on the paper. “How did we not see this coming?”

  “We never guessed he’d go to the tabloids.”

  “We shouldn’t have assumed he’d keep it a secret.” She could have kicked herself for being so stupid.

  “Well, I was drunk,” Evan drawled.

  “This isn’t funny,” she snapped in return.

  “I don’t think it’s funny, Angie. But nobody’s going to die from it either. It’s two-and-a-half weeks. And then we’re done. We fake a breakup and walk away.”

  “I am not going to lie to my brothers.” It would be bad enough having strangers think they were a couple.

  “I understand.”

  “I mean, after all we’ve been through. We just got back on an even keel. I can’t possibly do that to them, Evan.”

  He seemed to ponder for a moment. “I do understand. Trouble is, Sage can’t lie to Colleen and Dylan can’t lie to Jenna.”

  “Of course they can’t,” she agreed.

  “And you want Chance to have to lie to Felicia?”

  Angelica set her jaw.

  “Exactly how big do you think we can make the conspiracy before somebody accidentally trips up?”

  She felt her throat close up. No matter which way she turned, somebody got hurt. “I can’t do this.”

  His tone turned gentle. “You don’t have to lie, Angie.”

  “How do I not have to lie? How can I possibly not have to lie?”

  “Answer me this. If I was to come to you on bended knee, telling you I was sorry, that it was all my fault, that I thought we should give it another try, would you dismiss the idea out of hand, or would you at least think about it?”

  It was a ridiculous scenario. “You are never, ever going to do that.”

  “I’m not,” he agreed. “But if you were to come to me on bended knee, telling me you were sorry, that it was all your fault, and that you thought we should give it another try, I’m pretty sure I’d at least think about it.”

  “That’s your loophole?”

  “So, when you say to someone—if you were to say to someone—that we both knew we had a lot of issues to work through, that the chances were slim, but we had discussed getting back together, it wouldn’t be a lie.”

  “Technically, no,” she allowed.

  “Precisely no.”

  Her chest had gone heavy with pain. “And that’s what you want us to do? You want us to let the entire world think we’re giving it another shot?”

  “Think about the benefits, all of the benefits. There’s Conrad, of course, and the wedding venue. But also Kayla and Matt’s emotional comfort. T
hey won’t have to tippy-toe around us. Everybody at the wedding will be more comfortable. You and I won’t feel like we’re under a microscope.”

  That was exactly how she’d expected to feel at the wedding.

  “It’s traditional for the best man and maid of honor to dance together,” Evan continued. “Can you imagine what the guests would be thinking? ‘Is she frowning? Is he grimacing? What are they saying to each other? Are they fighting?’”

  “You’ve given this a lot of thought.” She hated to admit that she had as well. She was trying desperately not to dread the reception, but she was losing the battle.

  “I like to think I’m a realist, Angie.”

  “You promised to call me Angelica.”

  He gave a small smile. “I don’t remember promising. But now that we’re thinking about getting back together, you’ll have to put up with it for a couple more weeks.”

  She glanced back down at the headline. “You really think we should do this?”

  “It’ll be over before you know it.”

  * * *

  “What, exactly do you think you’re doing?” Deke asked as he strode into Evan’s office in Santa Monica.

  “Manual labor,” Evan answered, holding one of the metal brackets for a shelving unit against the wall, his cordless drill groaning as he anchored the screws.

  The door banged shut behind Deke, the blinds rattling with what was becoming a familiar sound. “I read the tabloid story.”

  “I had nothing to do with it.” Evan reached for another screw on the counter beside him.

  “You’re quoted in it.”

  “Don’t believe everything you read.”

  “So, you’re not getting back together with Angie?”

  Evan thought through his words. “We’re talking. We’re thinking. We’re spending a little time together.”

  There was a moment of silence. “Are you using recreational drugs?”

  Evan snorted a non-reply.

  “Seriously, Evan. Have you completely lost your mind?”

  “No.”

  “Then, what the hell?”

  Evan immediately realized that deceiving Deke was never going to work. The only way he could pull this off was if Deke was in on the ruse. His friend knew him too well, and Deke would be around him too much this month to get away with lying.

  He gave in. “Fine. Okay. It was a ruse to get Conrad to let us use his mansion.”

  It seemed to take Deke a moment to process the statement. “You told Conrad you were getting back together with Angie.”

  “It was the only way.”

  “It was a stupid way.”

  Evan smiled to himself, lining up the final screw. He drilled it firmly through the bracket and into the wall. “Well, it’s too late to turn back now.”

  Deke crossed his arms over his chest. “I was your first phone call. Remember? I know the state you were in the day you and Angie split up.”

  Evan’s hand tightened on the drill grip. “I remember.”

  “It was a bad day, buddy.”

  “No kidding,” Evan repeated.

  It wasn’t a day he talked about. He refused to dwell on it. He simply pointed his life forward and took it one step at a time. He turned back to the counter and set down the drill.

  Deke took a step forward. “You can’t go through that again.”

  Evan retrieved a box cutter from his tool kit and set to work on the cardboard box that held the wooden shelves. “We’re faking it, Deke. Pretending to like each other. We won’t break up again, because we’re not getting back together.”

  Deke followed Evan’s lead, locating another cutter and slicing through the tape at the opposite end of the long box. “You still like her. Hell, I think you still love her.”

  Evan’s heart gave a little lurch inside his chest. “It’s impossible to love someone who doesn’t trust you.”

  “Maybe.” Deke sounded skeptical as he peeled back the box flaps.

  “There’s no maybe about it. I don’t love her.” Evan pulled away the packing tape and opened the box. The cherrywood planks were wrapped in bubble plastic.

  “It’s not an on-off switch.”

  “It’s a do-don’t switch,” Evan responded with conviction. “And I don’t.”

  “I saw the way you looked at her last night.”

  “That was lust.”

  “So, you admit you’re still attracted to her?”

  Evan knew there was no point in denying it to Deke or to himself. “I may not be in love with her, but I remember what she looks like naked.”

  Deke cracked a smile at the answer. “I hear you. I’m still trying to find out what Tiffany looks like naked.”

  Evan lifted the first shelf from the box. “Good luck with that.”

  “She’s hot. And she’s funny. And she’s killer smart.”

  “Angie’s going to warn her about you.”

  “What’s to warn? I’m a perfectly nice, perfectly rich, perfectly decent-looking guy.”

  Evan placed the shelf on the top bracket. “With a perfect track record of short, meaningless relationships.”

  “See, that’s why I worry about you. You claim it’s lust, but you buy into the whole hearts-and-flowers thing. You, my friend, have a perfect track record of long, meaningful relationships.”

  “I did it once,” Evan pointed out.

  “With Angie.”

  “Your point?”

  “I don’t believe you’re over her.”

  “I am.” It wasn’t like Evan had a choice.

  “You’re going to get hurt.”

  “I can take care of myself.” Evan might still be attracted to Angie, but he was a realist. He was going into this thing with his eyes wide open.

  Deke handed him the next shelf. “Just so you know, when it all goes bad and you feel like you have to call in the cavalry—”

  “Yeah, yeah. Don’t call you.”

  “What? No. Do call me. At least I’m experienced now. We’ll head over to Italy and rent a chateau on the Mediterranean. Jeez, Evan. Just because you’re stupid, doesn’t mean I don’t have your back.”

  Evan couldn’t help but chuckle. “Thanks, man. But it won’t be necessary.”

  “We’ll see.”

  The office door swung open, and both men turned toward the sound.

  “Lex?” Evan spoke first, astonished that their former roommate was standing in his doorway. “I thought you were in London.”

  “I heard you were starting over.” Lex glanced around the disorganized office. “You do know you can hire carpenters and decorators to do this kind of thing.”

  “You can?” Evan dusted his hands on his blue jeans as he rounded the end of the reception counter.

  “There’s this thing called Handyman Listing on the internet....”

  Evan grinned as he reached out to shake Lex’s hand, clasping his shoulder at the same time. He hadn’t seen his friend in over a year. “I’m keeping myself busy. What on earth are you doing in L.A.?”

  “Asanti’s holding some corporate meetings in New York.” Lex nodded to Deke and reached over to shake. “Hey, man. Good to see you again.”

  The answer was ridiculous. It was clear to Evan Lex was hiding something.

  He pressed. “So, you were just on the continent and thought you’d stop by?”

  “Something like that.”

  Evan turned to Deke. “You called him.”

  “Of course I called him. You weren’t going to call him.”

  “Because there was nothing to tell him.”

  “You lost your job,” said Deke. “You lost your girl. And you’re all but destitute.”

  Evan knew this had gone far enough. “I’m hardly destitute.”

  Both men raised their eyebrows.

  “Seriously,” said Evan. “You two want to compare the zeros in our bank accounts?”

  Lex laughed.

  But Evan wasn’t finished. “Deke might have a share in all those technology pa
tents, but I know how to invest.” He looked at Lex. “And all you have is a salary.” Admittedly, it was probably a very good salary.

  “And stock options,” said Lex.

  “Yeah?” Deke asked with obvious interest.

  Lex nodded. “In fact, I’m seriously thinking about cashing them in and buying the Sagittarius.”

  “Say what?” asked Deke.

  “The Sagittarius Resort?” Evan pointed in the general direction of the Pacific Ocean. “That Sagittarius?”

  Lex nodded.

  The five-star complex had close to a thousand rooms and sat on a stunning stretch of beach north of Malibu. It was one of the crown jewels of the California tourism industry.

  “I figure it could be the start of a new chain,” said Lex.

  “You can afford it?” asked Deke.

  “I’d need a partner. Maybe two partners.” He sent a meaningful glance in Evan’s direction.

  “Oh, no, no.” Evan took a step backward, glancing at Deke, knowing a setup when he saw one. “I don’t know how you two lost your collective minds, but you are not riding in here to rescue me. I’m fine. I am completely fine, professionally, financially and romantically.”

  “What makes you think this is about you?” asked Lex.

  “Of course it’s about me.” Evan was equal parts touched and horrified that his friends would suggest such an outlandish scheme.

  “This is the first I’m hearing about the Sagittarius,” said Deke.

  Evan didn’t know whether to believe him or not.

  “I’d have to be a silent partner,” Deke continued, looking for all the world like he was taking the idea seriously. “I don’t have time for any day-to-day responsibilities. Then again, I wouldn’t need to draw a salary either.”

  “No problem,” Lex responded. “I can run a hotel with my eyes closed. Evan will be in charge of international expansion. You just pony up with a check.”

  Deke was nodding thoughtfully.

  “Stop this,” Evan demanded, glancing from one man to the other. “You two have completely over-estimated the magnitude of my problems.”

  “It’s not all about you, Evan,” said Deke.

  “Ha,” Evan barked.

  “What is with him?” Lex asked Deke.

  “He isn’t over Angie yet.”

  “I am absolutely over—”

  “Well, get over Angie,” said Lex. “And think logically here. Tell me that the three of us going into business together would not be an absolute blast? I don’t want to work for someone else for the rest of my life. You and me, all three of us, we’re smarter now, more experienced, and we have some serious capital at our disposal. I know the tourism industry. You know international business. Deke, well, maybe he can build us a robotic cleaning system or something. But he can come to the annual shareholders’ meetings. We’ll have them in Hawaii, find you a hot girl, get you over your heartbreak.”