Page 26 of Out of the Shadows

“A light lunch will be brought in,” he said. “You’ll have an hour to eat and relax—or check your messages if you’re anything like Esme—then the girls will be in to get you.”

“Thank you again,” she said before he left her alone in the room.

Moments later, two uniformed staff members brought in an amazing-looking lunch. While they set her up at a small table near the floor-to-ceiling windows, Bean excused herself and rushed to the locker room to retrieve her phone. With it tucked into the pocket of her robe, she approached her private room, and the door opened.

“Everything’s set up, ma’am,” the man said, holding the door open for her. “If you need anything, there’s a button next to the phone. Just press it, and one of us will be right with you.”

“Thank you,” she said, noting the call button next to the room’s landline.

“Of course. Enjoy your lunch,” he said before closing the door behind him.

Bean’s stomach grumbled as she looked at the spread laid out for her on the table. A BLT on thick, crusty bread and a side salad with what looked like crumbled feta. She wasn’t a salad fan, but it actually looked good. Then again, cheese made everything better. Next to the glass of ice water was a dessert plate holding three small fruit tarts, with strawberries, peaches, kiwis, and blueberries creating a delicious-looking rainbow.

She settled onto the cushioned chair, not sure where tostart. A small smile lifted her lips.Bacon. Always start with the bacon.

Taking a bite of her sandwich, she groaned as the thick-cut bacon’s salty goodness and the sweet, fresh tomatoes tickled her taste buds. As she licked the breadcrumbs from her lips, she wanted to go home and toss all her frozen meals in the trash. This simple sandwich was so, so good. After another bite, she chuckled. Yeah, right. Though she wished she could eat like this every day, the reality was that if it were left to her to prepare meals like this for herself—as simple as the food seemed—she’d starve.

Munching on her lunch, Bean did what she did best. Multitasked. She grabbed her phone and replied to countless emails and texts as she ate. Maybe one day she’d come back to the spa and do the full relaxation thing, but today was not that day.

After popping the final bite of the last fruit tart into her mouth, she sent Esme a text.

Bean

Thank you for this.

Esme

Tell me the truth—you were kinda pissed at first, weren’t you?

Bean grinned.

Bean

Well, yeah! But Sergio made me forget to be annoyed with you. Holy shit, the man has magic freaking hands.

Esme

That he does.

Esme

I figured you’d be nervous about the charity event. May as well get you as relaxed as possible before you start to freak out again about tonight.

Oh, her friend knew her well.

After a moment, Bean frowned.

Bean

I’m overthinking all of this, right? I mean, the cover story we settled on is solid and I’m just making this thing tonight a bigger deal than it really is, right?

Esme

Absolutely. I’ve been to so many of those types of events with Frazier that I’ve lost count. You smile. Nod. Shake hands. Since no one knows you’re with the company, it’ll be a breeze. What dress did you decide to go with?

She huffed out an exhale. Smile. Nod. Shake hands. No problem.

Bean

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