Free Never Say Never (The Price of Fame Series) by Aimée Duffy Page B

one?”
    The baby turned to her and mumbled something incoherent while the mother threw Chloe a grateful glance for halting the screaming match. Sander’s chest became rigid, and it got harder to breathe, like a truck going full speed had slammed straight into him.
    “May I?” Chloe asked, holding her arms out.
    The mother passed the baby to Chloe who swayed her from side to side. The baby giggled and patted a chubby hand against Chloe’s cheek. She nuzzled the baby’s hand with her nose.
    Emotion roared through him, but a black despair so strong, so overpowering quashed it. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to rid himself of the sight of Chloe with the baby, so natural and happy. Loving even.
    What the fuck did it matter? In a week he’d never see her again. Taking a burning gulp to finish his espresso, he rose and headed for the door, unable to meet her gaze if he wanted to. Resolved, he decided to bury the memory in the dark recesses of his mind with all the rest of the shit he didn’t want to think about.
    * * * *
    Every muscle in her back tensed under his palm as he escorted her into the restaurant. Sander gave his name to the host who then showed them to their table. From the second he’d picked her up and saw her in the red dress which, he acknowledged, was more than fit for any catwalk, his libido had went from non-existent to uncomfortably high. But he wasn’t the only one uncomfortable.
    When he’d complimented her appearance, she’d swiftly changed the subject and led him to his car. Wondering whether something had happened to her mother, he’d fielded her with questions on the way but she had assured him everything was fine.
    But it wasn’t.
    The way she self-consciously moved through the restaurant, avoiding the other customer’s appreciative glances made him wonder if it was her beauty making her uncomfortable. Still, she’d been just as beautiful in the blue dress and didn’t seem to mind then.
    Once they’d settled into their seats and the man handed them menus, he glanced over to her. Chloe’s face was pearlier than usual and her eyes looked haunted.
    “Are you sure everything’s okay?”
    She looked at him then with a smile that he didn’t buy for a second. “Everything’s fine. It’s really beautiful in here.” She slid a finger along the white silk table cover, her gaze dropping from his.
    Sander sighed. “I’m not buying it. Something’s bothering you and you’re doing a piss poor job of hiding it.”
    “Sander.” Another nervous glance around the room. “You can’t speak like that here.”
    “Stop bullshitting me and I won’t need to.”
    Her glare made him relax a little. Her eyes morphed to amber liquid and showed no signs of discomfort.
    “I…I don’t like wearing this dress.”
    He frowned. “Why? You’re absolutely stunning in it.”
    Chloe’s gaze dropped to the table, and she played with one of the three forks at the side of her empty plate. “An ex bought it for me.”
    Sander appraised the dress again, guessing this ex of hers not only had wealth, but he was the reason for her return to London. That made everything click into place. Her nonchalance about his car, her mother’s warning, and the designer gown she wore.
    “When you lived in LA?” he asked. She nodded, but didn’t meet his gaze. “Who is he?” Sander figured he had to be somebody to afford that dress, unless he’d maxed out a few credit cards.
    She scowled at him. “Forget about him. I have.”
    He cocked a brow. “Sure you have.”
    “Need to know only, remember?”
    He huffed out a laugh. Chloe’s shoulders sagged and her eyes shone with the pain she’d no doubt suffered. He would have pushed, but he didn’t want to be the one to hurt her by making her remember.
    “Hey, c’mon. Let’s order the most expensive dish on the menu and top it off with chocolate cake. You’re celebrating, remember?”
    A ghost of a smile curved her lips. “I can’t—”
    “On me. Chloe, I