Mr. Big Shot (Mr. Big 1)

About five minutes later, I got a text and was tempted to answer right away, but then, at the last second, I worried that he might be watching to see who answered their cell and would know who I was, so as much as I wanted to check my cell, I didn’t.

I waited five minutes and ate my sushi. To amuse myself, I read the front page of the New York Times that had been left behind on the table, scanning the headlines absently, pretending to care. About five minutes later, I nonchalantly checked my cell, and saw that the text was from MrBigShot69 saying he’d be a few minutes late. I texted a response.

Lexi911: I’m not waiting forever. I have places to go and people to see…

I put my cell down and angled it so I could read any response without seeming to check. His reply came immediately.

MrBigShot69: Are you there already?

I didn't want him to know I was already there, so I lied.

ALEXA: No, but I'm on my way. Be there in five.

MRBIGSHOT69: Be right there. What are you wearing, so I’ll know who you are?

Lexi911: Uh, uh, uh. I get to see you first and then YOU get to see me if I decide to do business with you. Sorry, but those are my rules.

MrBigShot69: Okay, be coy. I’ll see you when you get here.

I relaxed and leaned back, glancing around to watch the doors, so I could see him as soon as he arrived. After a couple of minutes, one of the suits a few rows ahead of me stood up. He was facing the other way, so he couldn’t see me. Tall, maybe six three. Well-built from the width of his shoulders under a very well-fitting and expensive looking black suit. Dark hair just a tad too long. When he glanced to his left, I saw a very sharp jaw and just enough scruff to be hot. Sharp regular features. His bangs fell into his eyes in a very sexy way.

God, now he was gorgeous, from what I could see. Armani gorgeous, Candace would say. Then, he picked up his tray and carried it over to the trash, emptying the used plates and plastic cutlery into the opening. When he turned back, I saw his face square on over the top of the Times and my God… Eyes so blue I could see them from where I sat about fifteen feet away. Regular features, square jaw, just the right amount of scruff. A white shirt under a black suit. A dark blue tie…

It wasn’t Mr. Big Shot 69, sadly, for he wasn’t wearing anything red that I could see.

He stood there, glancing around the food court with…

With a red umbrella in his hand.

His gaze passed over the other customers in the court but didn't even stop at me. He kept turning slowly in a circle as if trying to signal that he was there. He was obviously a liar, arriving early, probably hoping to figure out who Lexi911 was by watching who arrived and went to the sushi place.

Just like I had been doing.

He was there when I arrived. I'd seen him from the back, but couldn't tell if he had anything red on him. When he was looking away, I surreptitiously held up my cell and snapped a quick pic of him. Then, I ducked my head down and sent the pic in a text to Candace.

ALEXA: This is MrBigShot69…

Her text was almost immediate.

CANDYC: OMGOMGOMG

CANDYC: DON'T YOU KNOW WHO HE IS???

I frowned. No, I didn’t know who he was. Sure, he was handsome, but I didn't recognize him and apparently, no one else at the mall did either.

ALEXA: Who is he?

CANDYC: Just one of the hottest young soon-to-be billionaires!!! What cave have you been living in? No, wait… I take that back. I know what cave you've been living in… He's Luke Marshall of the Marshall banking fortune. Poor little rich boy whose parents both died when he and his twin sister were kids. They were orphaned and then adopted by the Marshall family. He owns Chatter!!! It's up for sale and will probably earn him a cool billion dollars.

I raised my eyebrows and glanced back at

him – at Luke. He went to the till at the sushi place and ordered something else. I watched as the clerk poured him a take-out cup of coffee. After he paid and exchanged a few words with the clerk, he stood there, glancing left and right, a distracted expression on his very handsome face. No doubt he was looking for someone beautiful, someone high class who would fit in at his fundraiser. Not someone dressed in sweats and a Yankees ball cap, her hair pulled back and no makeup on.

God. Almighty…

Mr. Big Shot 69 – Luke Marshall – was gorgeous…

I quickly texted Candace.