Chapter Seven

“Julian’s in good spirits.”

Holly lifted her eyes from the book in her hand, watching cautiously as her father strode into the bright, airy library.

It had been a couple of weeks since they’d agreed to start dating, and Julian had been true to his word about making an effort. He texted every day to check in, even on the days they already had plans to meet. She would never admit it aloud, but a shiver of excitement raced through her every time her phone vibrated.

Which is bad. Remain aloof.

She needed to keep her boundaries in place, or everything would get so much more complicated.

The last thing I can do is lust after a man I can never have.

But keeping her distance was getting harder since Julian had taken to ending every date with a few head-turning kisses and she’d found herself day-dreaming about him even when he wasn’t around.

“Did you see him today?” she asked, setting her book aside. She often took refuge in the small library since until this moment she’d wondered if her father even remembered they had a room lined with books.

“We had a meeting. He wants unlimited access to our accounting records.”

“Makes sense,” she replied. “You’re merging. Any partner would want that.”

“Yes.”

Something in his tone made her frown, but there was no chance to probe deeper before he was on to the next topic.

“Lillian is still nowhere to be found.”

She shrugged. “Looks like she’s good at disappearing.”

Even though a text or two would have been nice.

Looked like her sister was better at staying off the grid than she’d thought.

“We can’t afford to let Julian wiggle off the hook in the meantime.”

She narrowed her eyes. “He’s not exactly running for the hills. Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

The words were out before she could stop them. Shock flashed across her father’s face before he masked it, one mirrored in her own expression.

What’s gotten into me? Keep your head down and your words mild.

She’d lived by that rule her whole life.

Her whole body tensed as she waited for his reaction, but he allowed the words to pass.

“When are you seeing him again?”

“Tomorrow. We’re having dinner.”

“Good.” Her father paced the room. “I’ll get you reservations at one of the new hot spots. Dress up, and I’ll call in a favor with a tabloid. We’ll splash pictures of the two of you in the papers and get some publicity about this engagement.”

There was no escaping the bad taste the plan left in her mouth. “Do we need publicity? That sounds a little extreme.

“We want him tied to us in every way we can, in case the truth breaks.” Those stern eyes pinned her to her chair. “Keep him thoroughly focused on you. Am I clear?”

Crystal. It’s your ethics I object to.

But she still forced herself to nod.

“Excellent.” Turning, he headed for the door.

Her book lay forgotten long after he’d gone.

It was bad enough she was lying to Julian, but she knew how private a man he was. Hell, the man had negotiated for a wife rather than trying to win someone over naturally. He’d hate being splashed over the tabloids for all to see.

Not to mention, what if someone recognizes me?

The odds were small, but they weren’t nonexistent.

Whatever the hell her father was up to, this was a disastrous idea. But what could she do about it? If she pretended to be sick, her father would just make her go anyway.

She glanced at her cell phone, waiting on the table next to her. Canceling the date was out of the question, but maybe she could change it.

Grabbing the phone, she called her newest contact.

“Hello, Lillian,” Julian said, his rich voice rolling over her as he answered. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

She shivered at the way he stressed the last word. “I was wondering if you were up for a change of plans tomorrow,” she said.

“What were you thinking? Sky diving over Central Park? Or dinner in bed? I know what I’d vote for.”

“Behave.”

“Do I have to?”

She smiled despite herself, snuggling deeper into the armchair. “I’ve had a rough week at work,” she said, only stretching the truth a little. “Do we have to go to a restaurant? I was thinking we might stay in and watch a movie. Make some popcorn or something.”

“I’m not turning down an offer like that. Come over here. You should see the place, anyway, to make sure you like it.”

“I’m sure I will.”

“If you don’t, there are always solutions.”

She laughed. “You’d uproot your life just like that?”

She could almost hear him shrugging. “Sentiment, remember? Not really my thing.”

Can’t argue with that.

“Okay, I’ll see you after work.”

“Can’t wait,” he said. “Sleep well. Feel free to dream of me.”

She rolled her eyes as she disconnected the call.

One crisis averted for the time being.

She might not be able to tell him her name, but she could protect him from her father. Whatever else John was planning, she wanted no part of it. All she had space for was the employees and this impossible charade.

Though, every time I see him, it feels less like an act.

She glanced at her phone, a soft smile on her face. He might have been teasing, but she suspected she’d be following his advice soon.

And dreaming of him all night long.

…

“You look happy.”

Julian glanced up as Jason entered the office. As his friend walked along the floor-to-ceiling windows that lined one wall of his office, he pushed the files he’d been reading to the side and leaned back in his chair.

“I was just thinking about a date I have.”

“With Lillian I presume. So things are going well?” Jason said, holding out a stack of papers.

“Surprisingly, yes,” he said, accepting the files. “What do we have here?”

“My preliminary financial analysis. But it comes with the large caveat that I don’t have the full access I need.”

Dammit. I was worried about that.

“Yes, my future father-in-law has been cagey about the numbers.”

“Think he’s into anything illegal?”

He tapped the papers on the desk. “Don’t know.”

“Would it change your plans if he were?”

An image of Lillian smiling at him after he kissed her for the first time flashed across his mind. If something was shady with the Abbotts, would he give Lillian up because of it?

His stomach clenched.

“I’m not sure,” he said. “It couldn’t continue, but let’s face facts. Not all businesses are run as above board as this one is.”

“True enough.” Jason dropped into the waiting chair on the other side of his desk. “Assuming everything he’s telling us is true, this merger will make us all a fortune.” He pointed to the report. “I outlined all my reasoning in there.”

“I’ll see if I can get to it later tonight. Lillian’s coming over.”

“Good God, I hope it’s not to cook dinner. Does she know your kitchen is for decorative purposes only?”

He glared at his friend. “I cook.”

“Yeah, right. The last time I saw you make something, it was a hot pocket and we were in grad school.”

“See? Cooking.”

Jason rolled his eyes. “Let’s hope the future Ms. Worth is better with food than you are.”

“Honestly, it’d be hard to be worse. But I’m off the hook tonight. Movie and popcorn. I think my culinary skills can handle that.”

“You like her,” Jason said, settling back into his chair. “As more than just a stepping stone.”

“She’s different,” he replied. “I think it could be more than just business between us.”

“Really?”

He shrugged. “Yeah.”

Who am I and what happened to the man I used to be?

“Well, damn. I never thought I’d see the day.”

Makes two of us.

“I know. Must be coming down with something,” he said.

“I wonder if the doctors have a test yet for lust-itis.”

“Ha ha. Just wait till you decide to tie the knot.”

Jason snorted. “If I’m ever that dumb, hit me.”

“Your support is heartening.”

“Anytime, my friend. I’m here for you. Especially if this all goes south and there are whiskey drinking nights involved.”

He shook his head. “What did I do to deserve friends like you and Ryan?”

“You’re just that lucky.” Jason crossed an ankle over his knee. “You going to introduce us at some point?”

“She’s just getting comfortable with me. No way am I throwing her into the deep end with you lot.”

“Aww, you’re protective.”

“I sense a firing coming on.”

“As if you could work here without me. Everyone else in this place is terrified of you. I keep you grounded.”

“Actually, right now, you’re keeping me from a date.”

One I’m actually eager to get to.

A novelty in and of itself.

“Can’t have that.” Jason pushed to his feet.

But he hesitated before leaving.

“Is this the part where you mock me for my plan?” Julian asked.

His friend met his gaze, humor sliding out of his expression. “Just be careful. John is hiding something, and whatever it is, we need to find out before the companies are fully merged. And if he’s keeping something from us…”

“Lillian might be in on it,” Julian finished.

Jason nodded.

“I hear you.” Much as he wished he didn’t. Every time he looked at his fiancée he was surprised again by the open and honest way she viewed the world. It was almost as if she’d never really been a part of the culture she’d been born into. Like she was standing on the outside the same way he was.

What if it’s all an act?

Could those shy hesitations and quiet naiveté really be hiding a devious mind? He didn’t think so.

You’ve been wrong about people before.

Hadn’t he ever. But if there was one thing life in the foster system had taught him, it was that he could survive anything.

“I’m in no danger here,” he said. “This is about business.”

Liar.

“It should be about business,” Jason corrected. “But while your rivals might think you have a heart of ice, everyone is human. Just be careful. That’s all I’m saying.”

“Noted.”

Jason nodded curtly and strode from the room.

Leaning back in his chair, Julian exhaled. He’d been content with a marriage-in-name-only arrangement, but the idea that Lillian was lying to him made something churn in his gut.

Don’t borrow trouble.

The familiar saying came to mind. It was a favorite of the only woman who’d ever given a damn about him, even when he’d been a scared teen doing his best to avoid her.

He wondered what his last foster mother would think of Lillian and smiled. Judy didn’t have a mean bone in her body.

Lillian doesn’t seem to, either.

He ran a hand down his face. Until he learned otherwise, he wasn’t going to let his doubts interfere with his budding relationship.

But if something was going on, then the Abbotts, and Lillian, would learn exactly how cold his heart could be.