Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 144908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
“What did he do then?”
“He helped me to the car, and then he went back to help the chauffeur gather up the rest of my things. The chauffeur came up with a towel from the trunk and handed it to him. He gave it to me, and when I tried to thank him for helping me, he brushed it off like it was nothing. He was really gruff about it, like he didn’t want me to know he was kind. I was too embarrassed and knew my face was red and blotchy, so I acted like an idiot and hid it in the towel. He helped me out of the car once we got to the parking garage and private elevator.”
“By the look on your face, I would think he carried you,” Ambrie teased.
“Very funny. He did ask me if I had dry clothes to change into. I was shivering. I assured him I had other clothes in the office, just not shoes. I tried to make it a joke, but I failed and started crying. At least I didn’t cry ugly, just silent. I didn’t think he noticed because I turned away. Someone got in the elevator, and I put my hand over my face. Marcus moved so that his body was in front of mine, kind of trapping me in the corner so no one could see me. The other person got off on our floor, so they work in one of the other offices. I changed, refreshed my makeup and sat at my desk. The next thing I knew, the most beautiful pair of high heels was delivered to me, compliments of Marcus Phillips.”
“You’re kidding.”
Amanda shook her head. “Not just any shoes, Ambrie—he has really good taste. They were Jimmy Choos. Gorgeous. Of course, I couldn’t accept them, as much as I wanted them. I wrote a thank-you note and told him he was wonderful to help me when I was such a hot mess, but I couldn’t accept such a thoughtful but far too expensive gift.” She sighed. “He sent them back to me and said they weren’t his size and if I didn’t keep them, they would be going into the trash. I sent him another thank-you note and kept them. I adore those shoes. He didn’t respond, and when I ran into him again, he simply nodded to me, so I followed his example and nodded to him. I realize women throw themselves at him. I’ve watched them do it, so I decided I wouldn’t. I don’t need or want his money.”
“You only have that one example of his kindness,” Ambrielle cautioned.
Amanda shook her head, a hint of color returning to her face. “Actually, that’s not quite true. I told you I was watching him. Kind of like a creeper. I really am attracted to Marcus, and I didn’t want to take a chance on him being in a relationship or being a real jerk with just that one thing. I have a pretty sizable trust fund, as you well know.” She indicated the door. “We can walk and talk at the same time. We’re already late.”
Ambrielle obliged her. “I already called us a cab. It’s waiting for us. Tell me what you’ve done.”
“I hired a PI. Just to make sure.” Amanda made her confession in a rush. “I know if he finds out he’ll never forgive me, but I’m not going to repeat history.”
Ambrielle couldn’t blame her. Amanda had fallen hard for a man in her first year of college. He seemed like a really great person. Ambrielle couldn’t quite like him, but that didn’t bother her. She felt she wasn’t the best judge of men. From the beginning, Geoff had been just a little too smooth and charming for her liking. Ambrie wasn’t in the least attracted to that type of man. For Amanda, who was far more sophisticated, Geoff seemed perfect. He liked everything Amanda liked. They were the perfect couple, going to the theater and hitting the galleries looking so beautiful together.
That had all fallen apart when Amanda’s brother had done a background check on Geoff and found out all kinds of interesting things about him, starting with the fact that he wasn’t who he claimed to be. He was a con artist who was twenty years older than he was pretending to be. His name was Clarence Vaughn. He had no intentions of doing anything but robbing Amanda of every cent she had and then moving on.
Amanda was heartbroken and embarrassed. After that, she never dated seriously. Never. She didn’t trust anyone, and Ambrie didn’t blame her. The fact that she was interested in Marcus Phillips, so much so that she’d hired a private investigator to check him out, was a little shocking.
“Have you told Adam you’re interested in Marcus?” Ambrie asked as she slid into the back seat of the cab.