Escape With Me (Love With Me 1)

“He's probably working right now,” Cassie told her.

“Even better,” Julia replied with a grin. “He can't hide.”

Cassie chuckled. “I'll introduce you,” she promised. Together, the two friends stood up and headed out of the restaurant.

“Oh, Cassie?” Lorna called out after them. “Can I talk to you for a second?”

Cassie paused. She debated just sprinting for the front door and pretending that she hadn't heard Lorna at all, but that would make tomorrow awkward.

She put on her manager smile and turned. “Sure. What do you need?”

“Well, Julia can keep walking,” Lorna said, giving Julia a pointed look.

Julia made eye contact with Cassie. She wasn't about to abandon her friend.

“I'll be right there,” Cassie told her. It was better to get this over with quickly.

“Okay. I'll be in the chairs right in front of the restaurant,” Julia said. “Remember, we have that thing we're doing. I don't want you to be late, so be fast.”

She gave Cassie's arm a gentle squeeze before brushing past Lorna. Cassie sent her mental thanks for giving her a great reason to keep the conversation short.

“What's up?” Cassie asked Lorna.

"I just wanted to thank you for switching with me," Lorna said with a smile. "I always worry about the pictures at these kinds of things, you know?"

“I get it,” Cassie replied noncommittally.

“Are you interested in him?” Lorna asked.

“Who? With Chad? No. He's got a girlfriend,” Cassie said, shaking her head. Lorna had about two more questions before Cassie used Julia's appointment excuse to get out of this conversation.

“Oh, no. He's so not your type,” Lorna said with a laugh. She put her hand on Cassie's arm like she was an old friend. “I meant the bartender. You two seemed to know one another.”

“That's not really your business,” Cassie said, pulling away.

“I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude or anything,” Lorna said with a soft laugh. “I just thought you might be into him. But, I'll warn you, he's not going anywhere. And I've heard that he just picks a different woman every week and has them fall in love with him and then...” She shrugged. “I just don't want you getting hurt.”

Cassie's cheeks blazed with heat. “Thanks for your concern. I think I can handle it.”

“I'm just looking out for you,” Lorna said, her expression innocent. “It's what girlfriends do for one another. If I were you, I'd dump him now before he breaks your heart.”

Right, Cassie thought to herself. And that way you can pick him up right after.

“There's something familiar about him. I don't think he's giving you the full story.” Lorna looked thoughtful. “I can't place where I know him, but I swear I've seen his face before. I never forget an attractive face.”

“I need to go,” Cassie said, taking a step away.

“If you ever want to talk about him, or any of your male friends or hotel guests, I'm here for you.” Lorna smiled sweetly. “I'd like us to be friends.”

“Sure.” Cassie needed friends like Lorna like she needed holes in her head.

“But seriously, you can do better than that guy.” Lorna's smug look gave her true motive away. She had struck out this trip to find rich husband number four and wanted the hot bartender as a consolation prize.

“I'll keep that in mind. Thanks, Lorna. I'll see you tomorrow.” Cassie flashed her manager smile again and hurried out of the restaurant. Julia stood by the front doors, checking her watch.

“Thirty more seconds and I was coming back in for you,” Julia told her. “What did she want?”

“She thinks I can do better than Wyatt and that I should totally not talk to him the rest of the trip,” Cassie explained. “She's determined to try and snag him for herself.”