You will. Hell show up when youre least expecting it.
Natalie sighed again. I hope its before Im as old as you are.
Jolie tossed her napkin at her. Thanks. Im feeling older by the second with you around.
Speaking of showing up Natalie sat up straighter, her brow furrowing there he is again.
Theres who? Jolie twisted in her seat.
That guy at the table by the door.
The one with the menu over his face. Jolie rolled her eyes.
Yeah, only he hasnt always had the menu over his face. She lobbed Jolies napkin back at her. I swear hes the same guy whos been following me for the past few days.
Jolie looked closer, but the menu remained up, the man studying it intently. A flicker of concern threatened her usual calm. Have you said anything to your brother? Devin would want to know if there was any threat to his family.
No. If I tell him I think Im being followed, hell insist on a police escort everywhere I go. Natalie shrugged. Ill handle it myself rather than be put under lock and key by my overbearing brother.
Hes worried about you. Jolie shot another glance behind her at the menu-covered stranger. He worries about his family.
Hes annoying and overprotective. Youd think he was my father, not my brother.
As the oldest, he feels responsible for his siblings.
Well, he needs to stop it. Natalie set her fork aside. I have work to do at home. Are you sure you dont mind taking the marketing plan to my brother? I promised Id have it by the end of the day. She laughed. Guess late at night is still part of today.
Ill get it to him. Jolie patted her oversize purse with the file folder inside.
Yeah, and make sure he eats that food you bring him. He looks like hes losing weight.
Now whos the worried sibling? Jolie laughed. Ill stand over him until he downs every bite.
Natalie grinned. I can see you doing just that. Like a drill sergeant ready to pounce on him if he doesnt. Then her smile faded. I have half a mind to tell him to wake up and smell the rose he has for an E.A.
Dont you dare.
It goes both ways. Dont tell him I have someone following me unless you want me to tell him that you have a thing for him.
Jolie already regretted telling Natalie about her secret infatuation for her boss. No matter how good it felt to let it out and confess, she saw it for what it was, a wretched situation of unrequited love.
Everyone, especially her, knew that Devin Kendall was married to his job. What time he didnt give to the business, he dedicated to the protection of his family. He didnt have time for himself, much less a relationship. Jolie had known this for a long time and had come to accept it. But having turned thirty on her last birthday, she had heard the beginning ticks of her biological clock. Deep in her heart, shed always wanted a family children a husband who loved her.
She wouldnt get those things from Devin Kendall. He was in a league way above Jolies humble beginnings. If she was honest with herself, shed accept that and move on.
She gathered her purse, the to-go bag of his favorite Kung Pao Chicken, and bade Natalie goodbye at her car.
The man whod been at the table with the menu over his face had left before they did so she didnt get a good look at him. But that didnt make her feel any better about sending Natalie off on her own.
Despite her promise not to tell Devin, she knew she would. Natalies safety was more important than Jolies love life.
Or lack thereof.
She dropped her purse and the bag of food on the empty passenger seat, revved the engine of her four-door sedan and then drove toward Devins condo, trying to squelch the sudden rush of adrenaline and excitement at seeing her boss outside the office environment.
Chapter Two
Devin jumped to his feet when the doorbell rang, grumbling all the way to the entrance, regretting his decision not to buy a condo with a security guard at the front desk. Who the hell comes by this late at night?
He yanked the door open, ready to rip into the salesman on the other side and brought himself up short.
Jolie smiled and held up a bag that smelled of soy sauce and spices. Hungry?
What the hell are you doing here so late? I would think that at least one of us would have a life.
She snorted and followed him into the living room. Like I could have a life. With you calling or texting me every hour of the day and night. Any man Ive ever tried to date never understood.
Devin frowned. You date?
She thunked the bag of food on the counter in his kitchen and shot a twisted grin his way. I would if I had a day off.
What are you doing here? And why did she look so damned good? Something was different about Jolie, but Devin was too wound up to put his finger on it.
I brought Natalies marketing plan by. You wanted it by end of day. Its end of day, in case you hadnt noticed, and here it is. She pulled the document from her voluminous purse and laid it next to the bag of Chinese food containers.
Devins frown deepened. Why didnt she bring it herself?
She had other plans and your condo is on my way home.
Thats right, you had dinner together.
We did.
Devin crossed his arms over his chest. The thought of his sister going home alone bothered him. I dont like it that shes out and about after dark.
Shes twenty-six. Old enough to know how to take care of herself.
Shes my kid sister.
The key word is sister. Jolie scooped food from the containers onto a clean plate. You arent her parent and shes a big girl, not a kid. Give her a break.
I cant. This whole murder investigation is eating me alive.
Then get a bodyguard for her and quit worrying. Jolie stared across at him. Shes had a man following her the past few days. It wouldnt hurt to have someone to watch her back. Now, here. She handed him a plate of Kung Pao Chicken and steered him toward the couch. Sit. Eat. If you still feel like it when your stomach is full, then you can resume your worrying.
He let her push him toward the living room, her fingers warm on his back. He liked the touch a little too much and growled menacingly, feeling as though his attraction to her was a sign of his exhaustion. Hed be better off escorting her to the door as soon as possible before things got complicated. I dont need you telling me what to do. Just so you know, Id already decided on a bodyguard.
Jolie grounded her hands on her hips, her stance wide, fearlessly ready to take him on. When was the last time you ate? she demanded.
Lunch.
She snorted. You skipped lunch to meet with the board of directors.
He didnt like it when she was right, but the color in her cheeks had heightened, a sure sign she was riled. He did like it when Jolie got riled. The unflappable executive assistant was entirely too tightly bound.
What were they arguing about? Oh, yeah. We had lunch at the meeting.
You spoke all the way through the meeting. Bottled water doesnt count. With her shoulders flung back, her head held high and the cut of her blouse dipping low over her breasts, she looked more lively than he could remember. And there was something vastly different about her tonight.