Orange Blossom Brides. Tara Randel

have no idea. That’s your department.”

      Lilli thought back to their conversation. “He was adamant about not being a groom. I wonder if the vision of him and all those brides locked in one room made him nervous?” She paused a beat. “Oh, wait, that’s my nightmare.”

      Jewel chuckled. “So, what’s he like?” she asked, scooting closer to Lilli’s desk so she could settle in to hear all the dirt. “I only got a few minutes in Cuppa Joe with him. Not a chatty guy. More interested in getting his morning coffee and heading out the door.” Lilli knew perfectly well her friend wouldn’t budge until she had her fill of information. “A real bad boy, right?”

      “How would I know?” But yeah, a bad boy. She’d known that the first time she’d laid eyes on him. Today’s meeting only confirmed her first impression. Because of that, she had a hard time loosening up around him and probably came off sounding very starchy. But he just oozed masculinity. Did he have to be so good-looking? And smell so good? Exceptionally good. When their gazes had connected over the desktop, she’d had to ignore the urge to ask what he’d done with his life since the summer they’d met.

      Jewel continued. “So, we know he’s gorgeous—”

      Yeah, that, too.

      “—if you like that kind.” Jewel eyed her with suspicion.

      “What kind?” Lilli had lost track of the thread of conversation.

      “Tall, built, alpha attitude?”

      Oh, yeah. All those things.

      “You got all this at a coffee shop?” Lilli asked, busying herself with papers on her desk, hoping to hide her sappy smile.

      “It’s the vibe he sends out. Can’t miss it.” Jewel watched Lilli tidy up. “So that’s why you haven’t gotten any work done.”

      “Huh?”

      “And you’ve got the look.”

      “What look?”

      “Interested.”

      “No way.” Did she? She hadn’t been dwelling on him all morning, just snatches of time here and there. “And I can prove he’s not my type. Not only did his clothing leave something to be desire—”

      “What was he wearing?”

      “What was he what?”

      “Wearing? Obviously it bothers you.”

      “I don’t know. Faded jeans. Tight black T-shirt. Five-o’clock shadow first thing in the morning.”

      Jewels eyebrows arched. “I didn’t know shaving qualified as a fashion accessory.”

      “It’s just unprofessional.”

      “He’s a private investigator.” Jewel threw her a look. “The last thing he wants to do is stick out in a crowd.”

      “I guess.” Lilli pursed her lips, exasperated by her friend’s interrogation. Cringing, she hoped she hadn’t come across as uptight with Max, but she was very afraid she had. “Then explain this. When we were in his office, I noticed a wall calendar. Penciled in every Saturday is a woman’s name. A different woman’s name. Cards with Terri. The gazebo with Margaret. Drive with Carolyn.”

      “Which means what?”

      “I don’t know. He’s a player?”

      Jewel laughed.

      “What?”

      “That sounds so funny coming from you.”

      “Hey, I can be hip if I want to.”

      Jewel continued laughing. “Keep telling yourself that, but I know better.”

      “You know I don’t go out with guys like him.” Even to herself Lilli sounded uppity.

      “Problem is, you don’t go out at all,” Jewel muttered, then flushed at Lilli’s hurt expression. “I’m sorry. I call ’em like I see ’em. And you’ve got Max on the brain.” Jewel placed the wedding file back on the desk. “Let’s go eat. You need a break from all this charity-event talk and I want to check out the new place downtown, Pointe Café.”

      Lilli glanced at her computer screen again, knowing she wouldn’t get any more work done. Max Sanders had captured her thoughts, thanks to Jewel’s prodding. She needed a change of scenery. After saving her work, she stood. “Let’s go.”

      Lilli grabbed her purse, knocking over the accordion file Mrs. Rumpold had given her earlier. Wedding gown photos spilled to the floor. Exasperated, Lilli knelt down to collect the pictures, her eye catching on an image of a beautiful gown. The white strapless creation hugged the model’s body before flaring out in an embroidered trumpet skirt and train.

      “Coming?” Jewel called.

      “Be right there.” She took one last look at the gown before scooping up the remaining pictures, securely placing them in the file and out of her sight before her resolve to stay unaffected by weddings unraveled.

      CHAPTER THREE

      MAX HELD THE PRINTOUT with the particulars of the Wingate collection in his hand. He perused the information, realizing this collection was not just fancy jewelry. The pieces, which showcased several diamonds and sapphires, were more like artwork, he noted. His eyebrows rose when he saw the estimated value of the collection. Unbelievable. Why on earth would Clare Wingate loan her collection to a friend? Benefit or not? Thankfully, the collection had full insurance coverage. That lowered his heart rate some.

      He’d do everything in his power to keep the collection safe, but couldn’t deny he’d be glad when the pieces were returned to their owner.

      Tossing the fax onto his desk, Max leaned back in his chair and stacked his bootheels on the windowsill, taking a moment to contemplate the scene from his office window. From here, he had an unimpeded view of the beach and the Gulf waters. If he’d realized all the stress that went into starting his own security firm, he might have had second thoughts. He’d loved police work, being something of an adrenaline junkie, but when word of his grandmother’s bad heart had reached him he decided to come back to Florida.

      Laverne Sanders had raised him after his father died and his mother couldn’t deal with a son who tended to get into mischief. He grinned. His grandmother’s kind description of his actions. Most people had plain-out called him trouble.

      His old friend and mentor, the town police chief, called to inform Max that he’d assisted Gram after a fainting spell in the produce section of Winn Dixie. Apparently she’d been dealing with some health issues and hadn’t told Max because she didn’t want to worry him. He also found out her finances were a mess, so he came home to pitch in and help, whether she wanted him to or not. Each was all the family the other had. She’d always been rock solid for him, now he would take care of her.

      Another reason to make sure his business became successful here in Cypress Pointe. Folks of this fine town might remember him as a hoodlum, but Gram knew better. The burden of proving he’d changed would be tough, but he’d always liked a good challenge.

      She’d be miffed when she found out he’d turned down the groom position for the charity function, since she’d been telling him he needed to get out and meet people. Women people, to be exact.

      Right now he had to concentrate on his security business. The longer he was in town, the more he realized the need here. And he would make himself indispensable. Even if it means volunteering for the wedding fashion show? The thought made him shudder, until one particular bewitching redhead came to mind.

      Max had to admit, working undercover might be his only option to guard both the jewelry collection and the vintage gowns, but he wouldn’t give in easily. He ran a hand through his hair and drank the last of his coffee. Gone stone-cold again, along with his mood. The more he thought about Miss