Free L.A. Confidential by Julie Kenner

not thinking clearly.”
    â€œOn the contrary, this is the most focused I’ve been since I started thinking about the anniversary.” He moved toward the door, only slightly unsteady on his feet. “Lock up when you leave,” he called, even though he knew Tim would.
    He headed for the elevator, planning to hit the sheets immediately. But when his alarm went off the next morning, he realized he had no memory of getting from the restaurant to his suite, much less getting into bed. Since he was still wearing his suit, he apparently hadn’t put too much thought into the endeavor.
    With a groan, he sat up, one hand pressed against his temple to keep his brain from spilling out his ears. He almost called the front desk to have them stop the damn construction, until he realized the pounding was all in his head.
    Memories of the night before flickered through his mind, scattered and indistinct. Lisa. Lisa was the only impression that stood out. The only real memory in a haze of illusions. Lisa…and his plan.
    Stumbling into the bathroom, he pressed his hands against the counter and stared at the mirror. His reflection stared back, stern and unblinking. Could he really do this? Did he still want her so much—and did he want retribution so much—that he was willing to make sex a bargaining tool? That he was willing to sacrifice his hard-and-fast rule against filming inside the restaurant?
    He took a deep breath. Anger or lust, he didn’t know, it didn’t matter. The answer was still the same— yes.
    Ken shut his eyes against his reflection’s reproach.
    Lord help him, yes.
    Â 
    H UGO’S WAS JUST AS she’d remembered it. A popular breakfast spot on Santa Monica Boulevard in the heart of West Hollywood, it was a favorite hangout among gays and straights, the trendy and the hungry. When she’d lived there, it had been Lisa’s favorite place to grab a weekend breakfast, and she’d become addicted to the pumpkin pancakes.
    Her stomach was already growling as she pulled into a parking space behind the restaurant. She sat in her rental car for a moment, gathering her courage. This was it. In an hour, she’d either have Ken’s help or she wouldn’t.
    And if he turned her down, she didn’t have a clue what she was going to do. Maybe pick up a copy of Daily Variety to see if she could find a job doing grunt work on a low-budget film.
    No! She pounded her fist against the steering wheel, then quickly looked around to see if anyone had noticed the whacked-out woman in the blue Honda. She needed this job, was terrified of failing once again, and she was going to convince Ken to help her—no matter what the cost.
    With a deep breath, she slid out of the car, then started walking toward the front entrance. A dozen or so people loitered near the door, newspapers in hand, as they waited for the hostess to take them to a table. The inside wasn’t any better. The crowd was so thick, Lisa could barely fight her way to the hostess station.
    â€œI’m sorry,” the hostess said after Lisa explained she was meeting a friend. “We’re only seating full parties right now. If you don’t see your friend, you’re probably here first.” She poised a pencil above a yellow pad. “Name?”
    â€œNeal,” Lisa said. With a sigh, she slipped away, then leaned against the wall. She’d intentionally showed up a little late so she wouldn’t seem overly eager. So much for that little scheme, since Ken wasn’t even there yet.
    A warm hand closed over her shoulder. “Lisa,” Ken said.
    A bone-deep warmth flowed through her, and she trembled. His voice alone made her pulse burn, igniting long-forgotten passions that she had absolutely no business letting rekindle. She was over him. They were history. And she’d do well to remember that.
    She turned to face him, hoping her smile was professional, and that it didn’t