LITMIR.BIZ

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      Lilli turned around to meet Alex Megalos’s friendly gaze. She couldn’t help smiling as she shook her head. “Do you give lessons on flirting on the side?”

      “No way. Gotta keep my edge. Where did Max go? Not wise to abandon a woman as beautiful as you.”

      “You’re so right,” she said. “I’m bracing myself for the stampede any minute.”

      Mallory cleared her throat loudly.

      Lilli glanced back at the woman whose expression clearly said please introduce me. “Oh, Alex Megalos, have you met Mallory James? She’s new to town. Alex works for Megalos-De Luca Enterprises.”

      Alex extended his hand to Mallory and lifted it to his lips. “Enchanted. Have I heard of your father?”

      “Perhaps,” Mallory said, stuttering. “James Investments and Wealth Management.”

      Alex nodded in recognition and gave a roguish smile, dipping his head toward hers. “Yes. I bet he keeps you under lock and key. I hear he’s excellent. I’d love a chance to chat with him. Is he here tonight?”

      “Not tonight,” Mallory said and pulled out a card. “But I’d be happy to introduce you. Give me a call?” she asked, rising, bumping into a server carrying a tray of drinks.

      “Oh, no.” Lilli watched helplessly as the drinks tumbled, splattering Mallory’s pink gown and at least one leg of Alex’s pants.

      The server’s face froze. “I’m so sorry.”

      “Club soda,” Lilli said, quickly standing. “Club soda works magic for stains. And we need more napkins,” she called after the waiter as he left. She gave her napkin to Alex and blindly accepted one that someone else offered her.

      She gave the other napkin to Mallory, meeting the horrified gaze of her new acquaintance. “Mallory, go ahead to the powder room. I’ll bring the club soda, sweetheart. These servers move so quickly,” she said.

      As soon as Mallory was out of earshot, she turned to Alex. “Shame on you for causing all this trouble.”

      “Me?” Alex said in an incredulous voice, wiping his slacks.

      “You’re such a flirt. I’m sure you know what kind of effect you have on most women. You really should be more careful doling out those kisses and smiles.”

      Max appeared at her side and glanced at Alex. “Did someone finally decide to douse him?” he asked, half-joking.

      Alex met Max’s gaze and gave a heavy sigh. “No. it was the server. Dammit, Lilli can explain it to you,” he said and left.

      “He didn’t hit on you again, did he?”

      She shook her head. “He’s a flirt. I introduced him to the woman beside me and he got her all flustered. She bumped into the server and there was a spill. Ah, here comes the club soda,” she said, smiling at the server as he delivered the bottle and some extra napkins.

      “I’m so sorry,” he said.

      “Accidents happen,” she said then looked at Max. “I need to do a little emergency stain removal.”

      “Saving the day?” he said, his gaze glinting with something that looked like approval.

      “That’s a stretch, but I would hope someone would do the same for me in the same situation.”

      He lowered his head toward her. “I could kiss you right this very minute.”

      Lilli’s heart slammed into her rib cage and she gaped at Max. “You—”

      “You heard me,” he said and his voice was so seductive she immediately felt hot and flustered. “Now go do your good deed.”

      Stepping backward, her gaze still trapped by his, she nearly stumbled. Max’s hand shot out to steady her. “You’re worse than Alex.”

      His eyes widened in outrage. “What the hell—”

      She pulled away. “I need to do my good deed,” she said and forced her gaze away from his so she could regain her equilibrium. Men, she thought and headed for the powder room.

      As soon as she entered the luxurious room with a sitting area separate from the stalls, she looked for Mallory, but couldn’t find her. Lilli walked into the connecting room filled with stalls and tentatively called, “Mallory?”

      “I’m here,” she said, covering her face as she exited one of the restrooms. “I can’t believe I did that. I’m so embarrassed. I can’t go back in there.”

      “Of course you can. It was just a little spill. They happen all the time,” Lilli said, urging the young woman into the sitting area. “Come on. Let me work on your dress.”

      Mallory moaned. “Why did I have to make a server spill wine on the most amazing man I’ve ever met?”

      “Alex can afford to be taken down a peg or two.” She poured a little club soda on the worst spots.

      “But not by me,” Mallory said. “Do you think he’ll run from me every time he sees me from now on?”

      Lilli shook her head, dabbing at the dress. “Of course he won’t. If nothing else, your meeting was memorable. He’ll probably talk to dozens of people tonight, but not many—”

      “None,” Mallory corrected and gave a reluctant laugh. “None will have gotten his slacks wet.” She smiled and met Lillie’s gaze. “You’ve been very kind to me. Would you mind getting together with me sometime for lunch if I promise to try not to spill anything on you?”

      Lilli laughed. “I’d love to,” she said. “You know this is the same kind of thing that could have happened to me.”

      “I can’t see it,” Mallory said. “You look so graceful.”

      “Thank you, but it’s true. Now it’s time for us to get back to dinner. The auction should start soon.”

      Mallory sighed and stood. “Okay, let me put on a little more lipstick.”

      While Mallory took a couple extra minutes to primp, Lilli walked out into the hallway. She’d gone no more than three steps when she nearly ran into Kiki.

      Lilli immediately backed away. “Oh, excuse me. How are you?”

      Kiki narrowed her eyes. “I could be a lot better.” She stared at Lilli for a long moment then cocked her head to the other less busy side of the hallway. “Do you have a moment? I’d like to talk with you.”

      “I probably should get back to—”

      “Max,” Kiki said, her beautiful face tightening with displeasure. “He can wait. This won’t take long.”

      Lilli reluctantly followed Kiki.

      “You probably don’t know this, but Max and I have a very close relationship. Very close,” she emphasized. “In fact, no one would be surprised if we were to get married. We’ve been seeing each other for a couple of years.”

      Lilli nodded. “I see.”

      “A man like Max, well, a woman just has to accept that he may stray every now and then. It doesn’t really mean anything. Men, especially powerful men, have women throwing themselves at them all the time.”

      Lilli wondered what this had to do with her.

      “Now Max hasn’t wanted to admit anything,” Kiki continued with a determined smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m sure he doesn’t want to hurt my feelings. But I’m not stupid. He obviously feels obligated toward you and I can understand why you would want to take advantage of the situation.”

      “Not really,” Lilli said.

      Kiki waved her hand. “You don’t need to deny it.

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