Unforgettable by Adrianne Byrd

inquisitive brow, but he didn’t question Marcel. “Yes, sir.”
    Marcel’s gaze narrowed in suspicion as he followed Charlie toward the front door. Surely if something was truly going on between the driver and his secretary the man would’ve protested more about her being left alone with him.
    Charlie stopped a few feet from the front door and pivoted around to face Marcel. “If I may, sir?”
    Marcel’s heart sank. “What is it, Charlie?”
    Charlie looked unsure of himself. “About Ms. Guy,” he began.
    â€œWhat about her?” Marcel asked almost defensively.
    Charlie hesitated. “She’s not like the other women you tend to…date.”
    Surprised, Marcel arched his brows. “Oh?”
    Charlie swallowed. “Yes, she’s, uh, special.”
    With his good humor finally returning, Marcel laughed and crossed his arms. “I’m not sure I understand what you’re getting at.”
    â€œNo disrespect, sir,” Charlie said with an awkward grin. “But I believe you do.”
    Marcel’s smile froze and the laugh he forced out cracked under pressure. “I guess maybe I do,” he finally said. “But, uh, there’s just one problem, Charlie. I’m not dating Diana. She’s my secretary. I have a rule about dating employees, remember?”
    Charlie remained unmoved by his candor. “I knowyou as Casanova Brown as well, sir. And for him, rules have been known to be broken.”
    Â 
    Diana settled back on the bed and picked up the bedside phone to call home. Her grandmother was undoubtedly out of her mind with worry.
    After she’d dialed the number, she wasn’t even sure the line rang once before Louisa’s shaky voice answered.
    â€œHey, Nana. It’s me. And yes, I’m fine.”
    â€œOh, thank God,” Louisa sighed, and then immediately tore a chunk out of Diana’s hide. “Why didn’t you call? Do you know how worried I’ve been?”
    â€œI’m sorry,” Diana said and quickly informed her of what she’d been through that evening.
    â€œWhy on earth would you agree to feed the man’s dog when you’re—”
    â€œI know, I know. I wasn’t thinking right. And Lord knows I’ve learned my lesson.”
    â€œWell, Caleb is out looking for you,” Louisa said. “I’ll call him and tell him you’re all right.”
    â€œThanks, Nana. I’ll be home soon.”
    â€œWell, you can take your time, dear. Now that I know where you are, I can get some sleep. Oh, tell Marcel I said hi.”
    â€œYou’ve got the wrong idea, Nana.”
    â€œDon’t take away my dreams, Diana.”
    Sighing, Diana ended the call. She could already feel exhaustion seeping into her bones.
    She looked around and for the first time took in the room’s excessive extravagance: beautiful paintings,expensive colored glass vases and a plasma television. “Must be nice.”
    What was taking Marcel so long? she wondered. She stood up from the bed and walked over to the door. She reached for the knob, and then thought she should at least check to make sure he and Brandy weren’t on the other side ready to pull some horrible joke on her.
    She leaned over and pressed her ear against the door. In the next second, it flew open and smashed her back against the wall.
    â€œDi—”
    â€œOoww!”
    Marcel pulled the door and peeked around it. “Oh, I’m so sorry.” He closed the door and went to her. “Are you all right?”
    She held up a hand to keep him back, but when her other hand touched her throbbing nose, she howled in pain.
    â€œDi?”
    â€œWhat are you trying to do, kill me?” She inched away from the wall and returned to the bed. “I don’t know who’s worse, you or the dog.”
    Marcel followed her, trying to get a good look at what he’d done. “I’ll go get you