“Hmm, makes me wonder who your type is?” Zoe tilted her head to the side, contemplating her. “I would love to check out your secret boyfriend.”
“No can do.” Stephanie shook her head, quirking her lips. Hoping like hell she looked mysterious.
The absolute, very last thing she wanted was for Zoe to discover exactly who her mystery lover was. All hell would break loose.
Zoe’s smile grew. “That’s what I like about you, Steph. There’s more to you than meets the eye. Caleb over there, he’s exactly who we think he is. Handsome, charming and a real snake. You, on the other hand, I really have no idea what makes you tick. You have an innocent look to you, all those freckles, the sweet smile that turns wicked in an instant.”
Stephanie blinked, shocked at her boss’ words. Really? Zoe really thought there was something mysterious about her? Something wicked? How...strange.
And fun. She kind of liked that she kept her boss on her toes.
“There are a lot of secrets in there.” Zoe leaned over and tapped the side of Stephanie’s head gently with a blood red lacquered fingernail. “Someday I’d like to figure a lot of them out.”
A trickle of fear slid down Stephanie’s spine and she swallowed hard. What exactly did Zoe mean by that? Was she on to her? Was she digging deep, hoping to find out some dark secret of hers? Because Stephanie had a big one.
A huge one. One that would rock Zoe’s world.
“I’m an open book, Zoe.” Stephanie stood, an easy smile on her face. “What you see is what you get.”
Zoe shook her head slowly. “No I don’t think so. Keep on telling me that but I don’t believe you.”
“Oh come on, Zoe, I’m as open as they get. I have no secrets, I’m boring, trust me.” Stephanie laughed, glancing about the room at the many beautiful faces, her gaze snagging on one particular beautiful face.
A gorgeous, familiar face. Her mouth dropped open, eyes zeroing in on her target and her breath stalled in her throat.
Justin stood across the room, staring back at her, his expression just as surprised as hers. His green
-gold eyes were wide, sensual lips parted. He wore a tuxedo like the rest of the men but he stood out, all broad shouldered, leanly muscled elegance.
And all of that elegant masculinity was now striding toward her with a determined expression on his face.
Panic flared within her and she tore her gaze from his, staring at Zoe blindly. “I have to go. I’ll be right back.”
Flight or fight time and she chose to fly. As far away as possible and as fast as she could get.
“But Stephanie you should stay and watch Caleb.” Zoe stared at her, confusion clouding her face.
“I’ll be back, I swear, I just—I have to go.” Stephanie started to walk away, had to restrain herself from breaking into an all-out run. “Bathroom break.”
“I’ll go with you. I need to reapply my lipstick.” Zoe turned to go to her table but Stephanie waved and walked faster.
“Can’t wait, Zoe. I’ll see you in a few.”
She glanced about the room frantically, looking for some sort of exit route or somewhere private. But where? She wasn’t familiar with the hotel, it was one that catered to the ritzy set and she was far from that.
Double doors stood open to the right of her and she caught a glimpse of a large balcony just beyond. Catching Justin’s eye, she tilted her head toward it and he nodded in return, the both of them starting for the doors.
Whew. Her heart eased a bit. She at least avoided him approaching her with Zoe at her side. She shuddered at the thought of what would happen during that encounter.
Her palms were sweaty and she wiped them on the flowing fabric of her blue and white patterned dress. A little smile curved her lips and she shook her head.
Well, at least Justin would be able to see her in her dress after all.
* * *
Justin couldn’t believe his freaking luck. He’d dreaded going to this charity event. He still felt wiped out after returning from New York yesterday. Hated dressing up in the monkey suit too but it was a black-tie event to one of the children’s charities he whole-heartedly supported.
Hell, he’d been close enough to homeless when he was a kid too many times to count. The last thing he wanted to think of was other children suffering such as he had, or worse.