Tara Randel - Orange Blossom Brides

“Along with my mother,” Lilli said dryly.

“Well, you’re not easy to work with. All guys aren’t like Rob. If you’d give someone a chance you’d find out.”

Yeah, her head knew that, but her heart hadn’t made the leap—witness the wave of unwelcome memories plaguing her this morning. She realized she didn’t want to go down that road again. Not if the ache in her stomach that had started at the mention of the country club became a permanent ailment. Eventually she’d have to step into that place, but not right this moment. Steering the conversation back to the present, Lilli told her friend, “You know, just for spite, I should make you help me out.”

A flash of surprise lit Jewel’s eyes, then a slow grin spread across her magenta lips. “This could work, you know. I do have an eye for fashion.”

Lilli scrutinized the bohemian outfit of layered black and fuchsia tank tops matched with a flippy cotton skirt and sparkly sandals before glancing down at her own conservative outfit. What had happened to her sense of style? Standard blouse and skirt. Blend into the wall, why don’t you?

“Hey, we all can’t dress like we walked out of Vogue.”

She loved her young friend. Jewel’s fashion sense? Not always. But right now, her own wardrobe needed a major overhaul, so who was she to balk?

“I was thinking more of you helping me here, in case I get behind or if Jim starts piling on the work.” She flashed a pleading smile. “Please?”

Jewel laughed. “I can do that—as long as I get a shot at working the benefit.”

Lilli thought about it for a few seconds, glancing at the file folder sitting on her desk. Getting Jewel to help might not be a bad idea. She nodded to the file. “There are all kinds of reception pictures in there. Why don’t you take a look and put together some ideas for me?”

Jewel’s eyes lit up. “You’d trust me to do that? I’m still an intern here.”

“An intern who is about to be hired on as staff. You’ve proved yourself. Enough said. There’s already a committee set up to do whatever I need, but give me some ideas and we’ll go from there.”

“I still can’t believe Jim decided to hire me.” Jewel grabbed the large file, hugging it to her chest. “And now this. Thanks.”

“Well, that’s two jobs down for today. Since I bombed on the first one, knowing you’ll help has lessened my anxiety level.”

“Two?” Jewel asked as she took a seat and explored the file.

“I’d hoped to get my number-one priority out of the way this morning.”

“You mean getting your mother’s stuff from the historical society?”

“Yes and no. I got the lists, but first I was supposed to talk Max Sanders into volunteering as one of the grooms.”

Jewel’s head popped up and her eyes grew wide. “Max Sanders? The hunky new P.I.?”

“Private security consultant,” Lilli corrected.

“You know him?”

Boy, did she know him. She wasn’t ready to fill Jewel in on the details. She still needed to process the events of the morning.

When Lilli didn’t respond, Jewel continued. “I met him at Cuppa Joe last week. You know me—never met a stranger.”

Or a prospective date for Lilli. “You didn’t mention him.”

Jewel bent her head, busy searching the file. “Guess it slipped my mind.”

Hardly. Good-looking guys never slipped Jewel’s mind.

“Is there something wrong?”

Jewel’s head jerked up again. “No! Why would you ask that?”

“Because you didn’t try to introduce us.”

A few beats passed before a knowing grin flashed across Jewel’s face. “You’re interested in him.”

“I didn’t say that.” Nor would she ever admit it because that would lead to heartache. She didn’t do heartache anymore.

“You’ve never asked me about a guy before.”

Lilli shrugged. “I kind of have to work with him for the fund-raiser. I’m curious.”

“So am I. Now.” Jewel dragged her chair to Lilli’s desk. “Details.”

“My mother wanted me to confirm Max as a volunteer groom. That’s all.”

“And...?”

“He refused. I used my strong powers of persuasion, and he still turned me down.”

Jewel eyed her with skepticism.

“Okay, so my mother hired him to update the security system at the historical society office and provide security for the obscenely expensive jewelry she insists on showcasing at the benefit. But even if he hadn’t already signed up to work for my mother, I was still persuasive.”

Sure you were. Right up until he all but said you should take a hike.

He wasn’t overjoyed at the prospect of being part of the fashion show. She couldn’t blame him. She wouldn’t want to model in front of all those people, either. Her mother hadn’t gone as far as asking her to participate as one of the brides. Lilli would have refused. Wearing a wedding dress again would make the memories all too real.

But Max could look at this as a working gig. A great way to gain clients. So why turn down the opportunity? He may have been a bad boy years ago, but it looked as if he’d cleaned up his act and become responsible. She could give his business a boost by promoting Sanders Security around town, the least she could do for causing him trouble all those years ago.

She grinned when she remembered his appalled expression at the mention of wearing a tuxedo. It had been worth the visit to his office to see the look on his face. And when they shook hands... She shivered in memory. She couldn’t deny the thrill when those smoky gray eyes focused on her alone. His clean-scented cologne and the promise of excitement hung in the air between them. She’d been mesmerized. And alarmed at her strong reaction to the man. The rugged tough-guy thing? Too much. So not Orlando Bloom. So not her type.

Maybe he should be, an impish voice taunted her.

Lilli caught Jewel grinning at her. “What are you smiling at?”

“Nothing.”

Riiight.

“So, as of right now, phase one of mission ‘Return Favor to Celeste Barclay’ is a failure.”

“You’ll just have to come up with a better plan.”

“Like what?” Lilli asked.

“I have no idea. That’s your department.”

Lilli thought back to their conversation. “He was adamant about not being a groom. I wonder if the vision of him and all those brides locked in one room made him nervous?” She paused a beat. “Oh, wait, that’s my nightmare.”

Jewel chuckled. “So, what’s he like?” she asked, scooting closer to Lilli’s desk so she could settle in to hear all the dirt. “I only got a few minutes in Cuppa Joe with him. Not a chatty guy. More interested in getting his morning coffee and heading out the door.” Lilli knew perfectly well her friend wouldn’t budge until she had her fill of information. “A real bad boy, right?”

“How would I know?” But yeah, a bad boy. She’d known that the first time she’d laid eyes on him. Today’s meeting only confirmed her first impression. Because of that, she had a hard time loosening up around him and probably came off sounding very starchy. But he just oozed masculinity. Did he have to be so good-looking? And smell so good? Exceptionally good. When their gazes had connected over the desktop, she’d had to ignore the urge to ask what he’d done with his life since the summer they’d met.

Jewel continued. “So, we know he’s gorgeous—”

Yeah, that, too.

“—if you like that kind.” Jewel eyed her with suspicion.

“What kind?” Lilli had lost track of the thread of conversation.

“Tall, built, alpha attitude?”

Oh, yeah. All those things.

“You got all this at a coffee shop?” Lilli asked, busying herself with papers on her desk, hoping to hide her sappy smile.