Free Steel and Lace (Lace Series) by Adriane Leigh Page B

minutes later with two steaming cups of coffee. "Mm…thank you so much," I felt the warmth between my hands and inhaled the hot steam.
    "Back to work? Is Cate driving you nuts?" I chuckled because he wasn't all wrong. Cate was my best friend, but that didn't mean her constant exuberance couldn't get under my skin.
    "Cate isn't driving me too insane. We went to a fashion thing last night on the waterfront."
    "Ah, fancy. She drags me along now and again. Open bar is always the one redeeming quality."
    "I imagine," I laughed.
    "We should go out this weekend. Boston has some great clubs," Sawyer gushed.
    "I still have so much to do, and now that I'm back to work…" I gestured to my laptop still in the bag.
    "All work and no play, Eva," Sawyer mock-scolded. "I'll tell Cate, she'll be all about it."
    "I'm sure she will," I giggled.
    "Ok, this weekend. You, me and Cate are hitting the town," Sawyer stood and leaned over to kiss me on the cheek.
    "Bye, Sawyer," I gave him a quick squeeze before he turned and left the crowded coffee shop.
    I pulled my laptop out of my bag and booted it up, prepared to stake out for a few hours and get work done. New York Fashion Week had just wrapped up and the fashion world was abuzz analyzing all of the new trends for the coming Spring.
    "Was that your boyfriend?" I startled and knocked my coffee over, spilling the hot latte across the table. My eyes darted up as my mind recognized the familiar voice.
    "You seem to make a habit of startling people," I grumbled as my eyes glanced to the handsome face of Carter Morgan standing over me.
    "Perhaps it's less a case of me startling you as it is of you making a habit of being unaware of your surroundings," he gave me a cocky half grin. I scrambled to wipe up the mess of coffee on the table and gather my thoughts.
    "I doubt that, Mr. Morgan. Can I help you with something?" I held his steely gaze.
    "You looked awfully intimate, Evangeline. Was he your boyfriend?"
    "Not that it's any of your business, but no he's not. We're friends," I busied myself at my laptop.
    "Didn't you just move here? You seem to make friends quickly," Carter still stood over the table with an accusatory stance. How did he know I'd just moved here? I certainly didn't tell him that during our very brief meeting the night before.
    "We grew up together," I looked up at him suspiciously. Was Carter Morgan someone I should be weary of? He was certainly acting odd for only having met twice now. "Is there something I can do for you, Mr. Morgan?" I folded my arms and locked my jaw.
    His eyebrows shot up and the corner of his mouth twitched into a small grin. "Well, now that I’m responsible for spilling your coffee, can I get you another?" I stared into his cool blue eyes for a moment. What was his angle? Was Carter Morgan someone I needed to be afraid of? Was he some sexy, crazy, stalker in his free time?
    "I’ll get it, thanks," I began to dig through my bag for my wallet.
    "I’ve got it, Evangeline. Soy vanilla latte, right?" Carter turned on his heel and headed for the counter.
    My mind rushed with the possibility. Carter Morgan was gorgeous, but something about him made me uneasy. He looked at me with eyes that were almost possessive. My mind was still reeling when Carter sauntered back with a cup of coffee in his hand. He sat in the chair opposite me and regarded me thoughtfully.
    "Thanks..." my voice trailed off. "How did you know that I just moved here? And that I drink soy vanilla lattes? Should I be worried that you’re a crazed, psycho stalker out to get me?" I smiled at him.
    Carter gave a deep chuckle. "I do my research Evangeline. I know you're from Upstate. 26 years old. Graduated from UMASS with a BA in Journalism. Your roommate’s a fashion designer, you're a fashion editor, and your coffee order was written on your cup,” a grin spread across his face.
    "Do you always so thoroughly research the people you come into contact with, Mr. Morgan?" 
    "Only if it serves my