The CEO's Accidental Bride by Barbara Dunlop

pep talk, needing to put some emotional armor around herself before the dinner started. As usual, Lindsay had shocked her back to reality, then used humor to put her on an even keel.
    â€œHave we by any chance met in the past?” Ray asked Kaitlin as the two shook hands over a table set with silver, crystal and crisp white linen. Zach had slid partway around the booth seat and settled next to Susan, while Ray was directly across from Kaitlin.
    â€œOnce,” she answered Ray. “Three years ago, at the NYAA conference. I was one of probably six hundred people who came through the receiving line.”
    He smiled at her. “That must have been it. I’m pretty good with faces.”
    Lindsay just hoped he wasn’t remembering her ignominious firing from Hutton Quinn. Though, if he was, he didn’t give anything away.
    â€œAnyone else interested in the ’97 Esme Cabernet?” Susan pointed to the wine list that was open in front of her.
    Kaitlin was grateful for the change in topic.
    â€œOne of her favorites,” Ray explained with a benevolent smile toward his wife. “You won’t be disappointed.”
    Zach glanced to Kaitlin, obviously looking for her reaction.
    She nodded agreeably, proud of the way her hormones were staying under control. This was a business dinner, nothing more. And it was going to stay that way. “I’d love to try it,” she told Susan.
    Susan smiled and closed the wine list.
    A waiter immediately appeared beside their table.
    While Ray ordered the wine, Kaitlin’s attention caught on a couple crossing the foyer below. They were heading for thecurved staircase, and even from this distance she could recognize Lindsay and Dylan.
    She straightened to get a better view as they started up the stairs. What could they possibly be doing here?
    Kaitlin couldn’t miss Lindsay’s red face. Her friend was furious.
    â€œWhat the—” Though Kaitlin clamped her jaw on the unladylike exclamation, Zach swiveled to stare at her confusion. Then he followed the direction of her gaze.
    Lindsay and Dylan had made it to the top of the stairs and bore down on the table. As they did, Zach sat bolt upright, obviously observing the fury on Lindsay’s face.
    The waiter left with the wine order just as Lindsay and Dylan arrived. They presented themselves, and Lindsay’s quick gaze noted Ray and Susan. She schooled her features.
    â€œI’m so sorry to interrupt.” She smiled at Kaitlin, and her glance went meaningfully to the briefcase she held in her hand, moving it into clear view.
    Burgundy.
    It was Kaitlin’s.
    What was she doing with Kaitlin’s briefcase?
    â€œWe just wanted to say hi,” Lindsay continued, her voice full of forced cheer. “I met up with Dylan in the garage. ”
    Kaitlin felt Zach stiffen beside her, while Dylan blushed.
    Dylan? The garage? Her briefcase?
    She felt her jaw drop open.
    â€œWe’re going to get a table now,” Lindsay announced smoothly, giving Kaitlin a soft squeeze on the shoulder. “Enjoy your dinner. But maybe we could talk later?” She hooked her arm into Dylan’s and pasted him to her side.
    Kaitlin couldn’t help herself. She turned to gape at Zach in astonishment. Her briefcase had been in his trunk. How did Lindsay end up with it? And what was Dylan’s connection?
    Zach’s face remained impassive as he focused beyond Kaitlin to Dylan. “We’ll talk to you later. ”
    Lindsay made a half turn to address Ray and Susan. “I’m really sorry to have interrupted. I hope you all enjoy your dinner.”Then she gave Kaitlin one ominous glance before propelling Dylan farther into the restaurant.
    Kaitlin’s immediate reaction was to follow them. But before she could rise from her seat, Zach’s hand clamped down on her thigh, holding her firmly in place.
    The action was shocking, the sensation electric.
    â€œThat was Dylan