Page 11 of Second Time's the Charm

She turned and was walking toward the door when he called out, “Charm?”

Looking back over her shoulder, she said, “Yes?”

“Have lunch with me tomorrow.”

Lunch with him?He had to be kidding. Did he think she was still that naive girl who had loved him blindly? Or worse, did he assume she would swoon like a fan at the sound of his voice? As far as Charm was concerned, Dylan Emanuel was not her friend. He was an adversary. Evidently this arrogant ass didn’t care how he’d ripped her heart in two since he sat there acting like it never happened.

“Sorry, but I have a spa appointment tomorrow.” Now that wasn’t a lie.

“What about dinner then?”

“Dinner?”

“Yes. I’d like to invite you to join me for dinner.”

She was about to tell him just what he could do with that invitation, but something stopped her. She was Bart Outlaw’s daughter and one of the things she’d learned from her father was to keep her emotions in check when dealing with an adversary. She wouldn’t show any sign of anger or vulnerability.

Another thing she’d learned was when the opportunity presented itself, you got even. And she intended to get even.

“Dinner will be fine, Dylan.”

“Great. I’d love to hear about what else you’ve been up to since I last saw you. It’s been around ten years, right?”

Give or take a few heartaches.“Yes.” The gall of him asking such a thing with a straight face. If she’d doubted that the one and only time they’d made love hadn’t meant anything to him, she knew so now.

“I’ll make all the arrangements,” he said. “You still enjoy Thai food?”

Charm was surprised he remembered. “Yes.”

“Great. I understand there’s a great Thai restaurant not far from here. What’s your villa number?”

The last thing she wanted him to know was what building she was in. “We can meet in the resort’s lobby. Just tell me the time.”

He nodded. “Will seven o’clock work for you?”

“Seven will be fine. I’ll see you tomorrow, Dylan.”

She turned and left, glad he didn’t see her smile. What she planned was called exacting retribution. It was a lesson he deserved to be taught, and she was just the person to teach it to him.

Dylan sat there with his gaze still focused on the door Charm had walked out minutes ago. He’d often wondered what his reaction would be if he ever came face to face with her again. Still being attracted to her hadn’t been on the list.

After ten years his emotions should be under control where she was concerned, but obviously they weren’t. Even with the bitterness, resentment and anger he felt, he’d still been totally aware of her. There was no point in pretending otherwise.

Up close she was even more beautiful than she had been at sixteen, seventeen and eighteen. She no longer had the features and body of a teenager but that of a woman. She had matured into a gorgeous being who had momentarily taken his breath away. And he detected a degree of sophistication that hadn’t been there before.

During the two years they’d been together, she’d been trying to fit into the Outlaw family, not in their way but her own. She’d had sass and was a bit of a renegade living in a house dominated by men. He recalled she’d fought for them to accept her as she was. Eventually they had.

Several things were different about her while a number of things were the same. Instead of long straight hair, it was curly and shorter. However, it was still a brown that highlighted her almond-colored complexion. Her dark brown eyes were still stunning and sharp, as if they didn’t miss much. And where had those curves come from?

And why was his heart beating so fast? That same heart she had trampled. Knowing how much he had loved her, did she honestly believe he could forget the pain he’d suffered? The betrayal?

Yet he had invited her to join him for dinner. Why?

There had to be a reason for the madness, so what was it? Why hadn’t he turned and left when he’d seen her? Why had he acted amiable in light of the pain she’d caused? The last thing she deserved was his kindness, so why had he given it to her? Especially after she’d sat there and acted like the two years they’d shared had meant nothing to her. Like after all this time she didn’t owe him an explanation about anything.

And what had happened to the guy she’d become involved with after him? The one who’d given her that promise ring? Since she was here alone, did that mean she wasn’t involved with anyone? She could have turned down his invitation to dinner if she was in a relationship, but she hadn’t. But he knew, with her, that didn’t mean a damn thing. She had a history of messing with a man’s heart.

“Is there anything you’d like to drink, sir?”

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