Chapter 13

“Sebastian has just got engaged to a beautiful woman. You wish to wallow in self-pity and perhaps look at the photo you keep in your wallet.” The cynicism in his smile deepened as he watched her eyes fly to her handbag. “No, it was a lucky guess—I have not been going through your bag.”

“I have no pictures in my wallet, and Is that some sort of joke?”

The joke, she realized, feeling sick, was herself. Did everyone know…? The idea of being the butt of gossip, maybe even pity, made her feel physically sick. She gathered her dignity around her and lifted her chin, inadvertently winning Theo’s admiration for her gutsy effort, and said coldly, “I work for your brother. We do not have a personal relationship. And I'm not heartbroken or anything…Unlike you who…. “

She broke off and their eyes connected, his glittered with a combination of amused contempt and challenge that made her rapidly rethink her vulnerability theory as antagonism traced a path down her spine—all