Page 36 of Undercover Billionaire

"Thanks, Dad." She held her head high as she walked from the room. With her luck, it would be her entire extended family, along with the local news to do an exposé on fake boyfriends. When she opened the door to Allison, she exhaled in relief, which died a second later at the concern etched in her friend's features.

"I tried to fix this on my own, but everything imploded, and I don't know what to do." Allison’s words blended together in a single breath, as she stumbled into the apartment. The normally unflappable woman was beyond disheveled, small wisps of hair escaping a messy bun, flour coating not only the fuchsia apron, but the sunshine yellow dress underneath. She looked (and smelled) like a cupcake explosion. "Remember that big order you have for today?"

Kaitlyn stiffened. The order was her largest to date, nearly a thousand dollars worth of baked goods for an out-of-town party. The customer was from an influential family and promised scores of business if all went well. "It shouldn’t be too much. We already finished the prep work, and I pre-made the dough. My employees will spend the entire day helping you finish."

"Except the refrigerator had a meltdown this morning – literally.” Like a flour fairy, Allison fluttered back and forth. “The handyman was able to fix it, but everything is sort of ruined, and by that, I mean completely and utterly ruined. Then three of your employees called in sick at the last minute – apparently they all got food poisoning from the same takeout yesterday. You only have one employee coming in, and she'll need to work the shop.”

Yes, she would.A thousand options flashed, yet none were plausible in the time they had left. Kaitlyn slumped at the undeniable reality. "I'll call the client and tell them we won't be able to complete the order. The event is today, but maybe if we explain…"

"Absolutely not."

Kaitlyn pivoted to find Drake’s powerful form looming above her. "What?"

"It's corporate sabotage to abandon an order the day of a party. They'll tell everyone what happened, before praising the competing bakery they used after you didn’t deliver."

No doubt.After all her hard work, this could decimate her reputation. Yet what choice did she have? "This is really none of your concern…"

"Not his concern? He's your personal assistant."

Cynthia’s voice chilled her into silence. Drake was indeed her pretend personal assistant, which would make it very much his business, but this was real life. Her business and her life. "Of course, he is." She forced a smile. "I meant, there’s nothing to do. The preparations have been ruined.” She exhaled lowly, as her dream turned into a nightmare. “This could have meant a lot for my business."

"Which is why we need to deliver the order." Drake rubbed his hands together. "What time are they picking it up?’

"Five o’clock. It may seem like a long time, but I spent hours on the ruined goods. There's far too much to complete one day. Even if I started this minute, I couldn’t possibly finish."

"Which is why you have a personal assistant." Drake inclined his head. "And a friend who is willing to help." He pointed to Allison. "If we start now, will we be able to finish?”

She bit her lip, considered the tasks to redo the order. It would be tight, but if she postponed most of her daily activities, they just may be able to do it. And the frosting on the cake – she wouldn’t have to spend the entire day with her family.

"Nonsense."

Kaitlyn's smile wavered as she turned to her father. “Dad–"

"How can we sightsee while you frantically work to salvage your business?" He gestured to the rest of the family, as they nodded. "We’d like to help, too."

Kaitlyn turned a sideways glance at Drake, who gave a barely visible shrug. It had seemed the perfect way to separate the family, and now they would be closer than ever. Yet there was no logical reason to refuse his offer, and it would increase the likelihood of finishing in time.

"All right." Drake nodded. "Let’s get started. Everyone down to the shop." It was an order, but no one seemed to mind the directive from the natural leader. A worthy skill for a performer, but far more valuable in other, higher positions. Once more the question surfaced, of why a man with so many skills would be an actor-for-hire.

"Coming?" Drake turned back to Kaitlyn. The rest of the family had descended the stairway, and for a brief moment they had privacy. A lock of hair fell across his forehead, and she resisted the urge to smooth it back.

"Are you really an actor?" The words emerged before she could stop them, borne of suspicions from the moment he pummeled through the door that dark stormy night until his recent behavior and every mysterious action in between. With every moment, new doubts soared.

His eyes widened in surprise – from the question or because she had discovered the truth? His usual stalwart control returned a moment later. "I can honestly say I’m acting right now." He pivoted toward the stairs.

It took a moment before the words hit. "Wait. What aren’t you honest about?"

Before she could ask again, he disappeared down the stairwell. She ran down the steps, two at a time, until she reached the bottom. Racing through the kitchen door, she nearly tumbled into Drake, and only avoided falling by clutching his muscular form. Desire flooded her, and somehow she forced herself back. She spoke before he could utter a word, “Have you been untruthful?”

This time he heard her.

As did Allison, Cynthia, her mother, her father and her brothers.

Drake’s expression transformed in an instant. "Honey, I know you’re upset about the order, but let’s not argue. I am always truthful with you.” His tone was calm, but an edge belied the benign words. Like spectators at a sports game, her family looked from him to her and back again.

A thousand questions blazed, yet in her family’s presence she could ask none. "I know you are." She forced a smile. "You’re the best. So…" Kaitlyn turned away from her would-be employee/hired actor/real lover before anyone could doubt their sincerity – or her sanity. "Is everyone ready to work?"

"Bring on the chocolate," her elder brother grinned with good-natured charm.

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