But she wasn’ta friend. Far from it.
Not since she found out who I was.
19:03. Another minute. Maybe she couldn’t find the place. I knew I should have sent a car.But she would’ve hated that. Too controlling.And picking her up in my car would have looked like a date. She’d have shut that down fast.
At least she’d be comfortable here. It was chic and modern, without being snooty. And top-notch bathrooms if she needed them. The Defenda pads flashed into my mind—her face going red when she realized I’d seen them. I winced. You never knew what someone was dealing with behind the scenes. At least the bathrooms here had proper privacy.
Focus. We were here to sort out wedding preparations, not worry about how Andrea felt about the restaurant.
I glanced at my watch again. Five minutes late now. Punctuality really wasn’t her thing. At least I had time to think of what to say when she came in.Lovely to see you? Christ, no—that was what you said to your great-aunt.You look beautiful? Of course she would, but that was way too personal.Are you well?Better, but stiff as hell. Maybeenchanté? Jesus, what was wrong with me?
Laughter from the other side of the room grabbed my attention, and I turned my head to see a beauty in a pale-pink dress by the door. The waiter was taking her coat.Andrea.A couple of guys were checking her out, a bit longer than I’d have liked. I couldn’t blame them, though. She looked stunning.
“Hi, Liam.”
I stood, half offering a hand at the same time as she leaned in. We both adjusted mid-move and ended up with a brief brush of cheeks and a handshake that lasted a beat too long.
“Are you lovely?” I asked.
Jesus Christ.
Her mouth quirked. “Functional, thanks. You?”
“I’m well, thank you.” The waiter slid her chair out, and she sat, tucking one ankle behind the other.
“Sorry I’m late,” she said, setting her phone face down. “Traffic.”
“Absolutely fine, of course. I hope this is close enough for you? To your home, I mean. I thought it might—”
“God, it’s only five minutes. My sincerest apologies.” Great. She thought I was being sarcastic. She really didn’t like me.
“Thanks for coming.” Perfect. Now I’d made it sound like I was conducting a job interview. Well. Might as well get down to it.
Her gaze dropped to the folder. “Sorry, I didn’t realize we had homework.”
I moved it an inch, as if that would make it less visible. “Something like that.”
“I’m afraid the dog ate mine.”
I cleared my throat. “We do… have a lot to get through. I thought it might save time.”
The waiter appeared at my shoulder. “Something to drink, sir?”
“Yes, please. Andrea, do you know what you—?”
“Please, you choose. Something white.”
“A bottle of the Chablis Premier Cru, thank you,” I said.
“Excellent choice, sir.” The waiter inclined his head and withdrew.
“So what’s in here, then?” Andrea nodded toward the folder. “Is it for me?”
“It’s my résumé. Or my life résumé. What you’d know if you really were my… girlfriend.”
“Oh.” Her eyebrows shot up, her mouth a perfect circle. “May I—?”
“Yes, by all means. I made it for you.”
