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I’m back by then, we’ll be fine.”
    But before they could get out of the building, Joshua Reading caught up with them at the top of the stairs. “Gabriella—oh, sorry.” He stopped short, glancing at Lizzie. “I thought you were someone with the company.”
    â€œThis is Lizzie Fairfax,” Gabriella said, as graciously as she could manage. “An old friend of mine. She’s visiting from Miami. Lizzie, this is Joshua Reading.”
    Lizzie turned on her Beacon Hill manners. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Reading.” She took Joshua’s extended hand briefly. “I’ve been admiring the building. It’s really very impressive. I’d heard TJR Associates does marvelous work.”
    â€œThank you. I hope you enjoy your stay in Boston.” He glanced at Gabriella. “I won’t keep you from your reunion. I just wanted to let you know that Titus and I are hosting an impromptu dinner this evening for a group of architects visiting from Hong Kong. It’ll be at my place up on the North Shore. We hope you can join us.” Charming as ever, he turned back to Lizzie. “We’d love to invite you as well, Ms. Fairfax.”
    â€œI’d be delighted to come. Thank you.”
    Gabriella kept her expression neutral. She could see that Lizzie was smitten, unable to think through the potential awkwardness of her turning up for a dinner hosted by Gabriella’s employers.
    Joshua smiled. “Terrific. I’ll see you both this evening then.”
    The possible consequences of what she’d done didn’t hit Lizzie until she and Gabriella were out on the street. “Good heavens, I never even thought—” She turned a panicked look on Gabriella. “He just doesn’t look like a boss. I can always not go.”
    â€œNo, forget it,” Gabriella said, laughing, glad that Lizzie Fairfax was back in her life. “We’ll have a great time.”

Chapter
Three
    W hen Cam Yeager crossed Marlborough Street to greet her, Gabriella tried to tell herself she shouldn’t be surprised. He was wearing wrinkled gray canvas pants and a Red Sox sweatshirt, and he needed a shave. Presumably he would either grow a beard or shave regularly when he started at the district attorney’s office.
    â€œYou look as if you’ve spent the day slaying financial dragons,” he said, trotting up to her.
    She didn’t know if he was responding to her cream raw silk suit or her expression. She’d been distracted while walking up Marlborough, thinking she might yet make it through the day without seeing hide nor hair of either him or Pete Darrow.
    â€œI suppose this isn’t a coincidence,” she said.
    â€œNope. Your number’s listed in the phone book under ‘Starr, Gabriella.’ Imagine that.” He gave her a quick, efficient once-over. “I like the shoes.”
    She had put on her running shoes to walk from TJR Associates. She slung her leather tote bag down off her shoulder and set it on the sidewalk. “If you’re here to find out if Pete Darrow followed me today, I can tell you he didn’t.”
    Yeager’s sea-blue eyes narrowed, turning serious. “Yes he did. He followed you and the blonde to lunch. A friend of yours?”
    Gabriella took a deep breath in an attempt to stay calm. “Yes.”
    â€œHe interrupted his little vigil long enough to threaten to beat the hell out of me. I was never any good at tailing people, and Pete’s got this sixth sense about someone watching him. You know he’s moved up to Joshua Reading’s place on the North Shore? He might as well be a live-in bodyguard. I still don’t like it.”
    â€œThat’s not my problem. Look—”
    â€œYou ever go up there?”
    â€œOn occasion. I am tonight, for a business dinner. Mr. Yeager— Cam …” She sighed. “It’s not that I don’t want to trust you;