Mila dodged as Tiffany’s purse swung toward her again.
Mila groaned internally. San Francisco was a good place to be after all.
“I’m taking you shopping!” Tiffany added. “And then we’re going to my favorite lunch spot.” She winked conspiratorially. “I hope you’re not on a diet.”
Mila smiled weakly and followed Tiffany out of the lobby. Where was Maddox when she needed him?
Tiffany acted like everything was normal and drilled her with questions about Maddox while they shopped.
Mila answered carefully. She knew Tiffany was digging for some evidence that Mila had gone after Maddox on purpose. But nothing could be farther from the truth. Plus, Mila was afraid if she said too much, she’d give away that she’d been his assistant.
At lunch, Tiffany said casually, “I admire your tenacity. Moving to San Francisco to put yourself in his way.” She waved at her like that was so Mila.
“I didn’t move there to chase him. Actually,”–Mila glanced up to the ceiling–“I didn’t like him at all at first.”
Tiffany laughed incredulously. “Please. What’s not to like?”
Mila smiled at all the memories coming back to her. “At first, there was plenty. But I got to know him better by accident and here we are.” Mila was grateful to have her mother’s connections as a reason why she would have seen Maddox at all. Otherwise, it would have been tough to explain.
“Right.” Tiffany twirled a lock of her short, bleached hair. “Well, you’re the envy of every woman in society right now. Plenty of women have tried to trap Maddox Cross permanently but none have succeeded.”
Mila hadn’t “trapped” Maddox. But she hoped he wanted to stay with her.
As she glanced at the entry casually, Jackson came toward them, and Mila nearly spit out her water.
At first, she thought it was just a man who looked like Jackson. Or that’s what she hoped. But then he stopped at their table and smiled down at her.
“I don’t mean to interrupt,” he told her, “but I couldn’t leave without saying hello.” He sounded neutral but his blue eyes were warm.
“And you are?” Tiffany asked almost coyly. Mila had to choke back a laugh at the way Tiffany gazed up at Jackson through her false eyelashes.
He angled toward Tiffany in his usual, friendly manner. If he hadn’t kissed her, Mila would still question that he’d wanted anything but friendship from her. “I’m Jackson Burke.”
“Tiffany.” She held out a hand as if she was a delicate porcelain doll. “It’s lovely to meet you. I’m Mila’s sister by marriage.”
Jackson’s lips twitched. “Of course. I know your father a little. I was even at his wedding.”
Tiffany betrayed surprise. “I’m shocked we’ve never been introduced.”
“We have now.” Jackson extracted his hand and faced Mila again. “Anyway, I just wanted to see how you were. I heard you moved to the west coast.”
Mila nodded. She wanted to be nonchalant, but she was paranoid that someone she knew would see them talking. It was bad enough that Tiffany was there.
“I did move,” she said. “But it’s been good so far.”
“You were the talk of the gala.” His eyes gleamed with…admiration? Or pride? She wasn’t sure. “I had no idea you’d be there, or I would have looked for you.”
Mila was grateful he didn’t know.
She glanced at Tiffany, whose smile faded. In some ways, Mila wondered if Tiffany was more jealous of the attention Mila received than worried about her inheritance.
“I’m sure that’s not the case.” Mila dropped her eyes to the table.
“I have no doubt you deserve it.” Jackson dug his hands in his pockets. “I have to run, but we should catch up sometime.”
Mila imagined he was just saying that to be polite. She smiled and nodded though it was the last thing she wanted.
Jackson waved good-bye as he left. That was one fire-hoop she’d made it through alive. The other one was staring at her.
“How did you meet him?” Tiffany sounded less chummy and more incredulous.
“He was an investor at my last job.” Mila shrugged like it wasn’t strange at all even though she felt the exact opposite. “He liked to hang out with the employees sometimes.”
Tiffany sniffed. “You do get around.” She sipped her drink.
Mila focused on her food. Maybe she should have holed up in her hotel room for the day.