Page 45 of The Billionaire and the Maid

“I’m sorry, what?” Elisha asks, pausing her movements as she stares at me.

“I went to Lorenzo Marino’s birthday party this week.” I pause and give her a look and she blushes. “And Chase and I were talking to his parents and then, out of nowhere, Greta walks into the party with her friend Marie,” I start.

“Marie? The friend we swear dated a mob boss in New York and also overwinters at some senior citizens’ swingers club in Miami every year?” she asks.

I nod. “Yes. That one. Anyhow, Greta never said anything to me about dating him. Chase was also surprised. And Greta and Lorenzo were all super nonchalant about it.”

“Have you talked to Greta?” she asks, continuing to make my drink.

“No. Not yet. But now my imagination is running wild with scenarios of why Greta is with Lorenzo. Were they past lovers? Did she have his secret baby? Maybe Lorenzo had a brother and Greta was with him and then he died and before he died he made Lorenzo promise to take care of her?”

“Whoa. First, you need to take a break from reading romance novels. And second, Greta doesn’t have kids. So, I think it’s safe to say thesecret babyidea is out. And third, I’m pretty sure Lorenzo doesn’t have a brother who died. Anyhow, you should just talk to Greta. She’s an open book. I’m sure she’ll tell you all about it. And I’m sure she had her reasons of why she didn’t mention it before,” Elisha assures me.

“Right. Just like you told me about how you made Lorenzo’s cake?” I ask.

She sighs and hands me my drink. “I signed an NDA. I couldn’t say anything. The Marinos are good customers, and I can’t afford to lose their business.”

“So, I’m taking a wild stab in the dark here. But hypothetically speaking, if they had a giant charity gala at their home, would youhypotheticallybe providing baked goods for it?” I ask.

She shrugs. “Hypothetically.”

“Oh, for the love of God. This town is like a freaking six degrees of separation on steroids,” I whisper-yell as I place my forehead on the cool stone counter.

The bell chimes but I don’t look up. I need another second to pull myself together.

“The usual, Chase?” Elisha asks.

My head pops up and smacks into something. “Ouch,” I mutter as I rub the back of my head but suddenly a hand covers mine.

“Are you OK?” Chase asks, stepping around me.

“Yep. Sorry, I didn’t realize you were right behind me,” I say.

“It’s fine. You ready to go?” he asks before sipping his coffee.

“Yeah. I’ll see you later,” I say to Elisha as I slide off the stool.

“No more conspiracy theories,” she states, pointing a finger at me.

I roll my eyes. “No more lies by omission,” I reply.

She smirks. “Rich, coming from you.”

I groan. She has got to be kidding. I’m never going to live down this whole fake relationship thing.

She chuckles as we walk out. Chase gives me a look of confusion.

“You don’t want to know,” I say as I walk over to Chase’s car, and he opens the door for me. Normally, I’d be all independent woman, but I’ve grown to like this chivalry. Something about him caring enough to open my car door is endearing.

He gets in and starts down Main Street.

“Did you ask your grandfather about Greta?” I state because again, I can’t help myself.

He looks over at me. “No. Why?”

“ARGH! Aren’t you going crazy with curiosity?”

He laughs. “I mean. I’m curious, but I think I’m going to make it.”

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