Stroke of Luck

“Oh.” Her stomach clenched. She didn’t want to tell him about her humiliation. At least, not here in the hallway. She did want to explain at some point, though, so he wouldn’t think she was wildly irresponsible.

“He left me. This morning. And he canceled my credit card.”

“You had a joint credit card?”

She nodded. Maurice had his own card, but he’d also set up a separate joint card for her.

Not that she’d wanted that. Maurice had insisted so she would have the exclusive perks and status of a first-tier luxury card, along with the unlimited credit and VIP treatment that came with it. He’d wanted her to become used to his wealthy lifestyle.

She would never have been able to get a card like that without his name on the account.

In truth, bringing out the gold-plated metal card made her uncomfortable, especially when paying for everyday things like lunch with her coworkers at a roadhouse. It underscored the fact she was engaged to the owner of the company and kept her a little outside the social circle.

Everyone thought she was a kept woman. She’d overheard others speculating on why she bothered working, since she clearly didn’t need the income.

The truth was, however, that she’d insisted on paying her own bills every month. She didn’t want to take Maurice’s money. So she worked and paid her own expenses, including the mortgage on her town house, though she had accepted the low interest rate he’d arranged for her through his family’s bank.

The metal door slid open with a ding, and she followed Quinn onto the elevator. She saw her face in the mirror and realized she looked like a fragile ceramic doll. Like if she fell, she’d shatter into a million pieces.

Her eyes were red and puffy, and she pulled her compact out of her purse and tried to cover the redness with powder. Quinn’s eyebrow arched, and she was sure he thought her too vain, but the last thing she wanted was to walk into a crowded restaurant looking weak and defeated.

She applied some lipstick, then dropped the tube into her purse and took a final look. She still looked a wreck, but not quite as bad.

“You said we’re having lunch with your business partner?” she asked as she put her compact away and snapped her purse closed.

“Yes, but don’t get any ideas about replacing your rich fiancé with Austin.”

Her spine stiffened as her gaze darted to his. Of course, that’s what he really thought of her. That she was a gold digger. She could see it in his acid-blue eyes. She bit back a sharp retort and stared squarely at the door as the elevator glided downward.

“Or you either, I take it,” she said.

“You’re damn right about that.”

She couldn’t blame him for his attitude, since he thought she’d left him for Maurice. Quinn had been a broke grad student, just like she had been, and he’d been convinced she’d left him because Maurice was rich.

“Don’t worry,” she said. “The thought hadn’t crossed my mind.”

It was true. But even if she had thought about it, the fact that he was clearly rich himself now meant he’d be wary of her showing an interest in him. So ironically, his wealth made it impossible for her to even consider trying to turn around her mistake from the past.

“Just one question,” she said. “Why did you help me by paying my bill if you’re so convinced I’m just after money?”

He shrugged. “You meant something to me once. I wouldn’t have felt right ignoring your predicament, especially when it was so easy to fix. The money means nothing to me.” His intense gaze bored through her. “But let me be very clear. If you ever ask me for money, the answer will be no.”

2

Austin leaned back in his chair sipping his imported beer. His gaze was on the man two tables over rolling a poker chip between his fingers, back and forth, as he watched the sexy blond waitress clearing dishes from another table.

The guy had b

een flirting with her when she’d served him his meal, and now Austin would pay odds that he’d give her that fifty-dollar chip as a tip, then invite her to his room after her shift. From her body language when she was near him, despite her warm demeanor, Austin would lay even bigger odds that she’d turn him down. Politely, of course.

She picked up the tray of dishes and carried them away. Austin couldn’t help watching the gentle sway of her hips as she walked.

She had greeted Austin by name when she’d shown him to his table. It seemed the staff were made aware of the wealthier guests staying in the hotel. She’d given him the best table in the house, overlooking the stunning garden and spectacular fountain outside, and right near a trickling waterfall inside that, set among greenery and flowers, fed a small pond with water lilies. The table’s corner location, with windows on two sides, allowed him to see all the other tables while affording him a little more privacy. Which he loved because he was a people-watcher.

The waitress had flirted with Austin, and he was sure she would jump at an invitation to join him for dinner tonight. And she’d probably wind up in his bed. Seeing how she was with her customers, he was sure she’d be great company. And probably sensational in the sack.

But he didn’t want someone who just wanted to be with him because of his money or status.