Cupid's Way by Joanne Phillips Read Free Book Online Page B

red lipstick that showed the lines around her mouth – said something under her breath, and the man nearest to her laughed. The man-who-looked-like-Michael glanced towards the woman and smiled. His cheeks dimpled in the cutest way, and just for a moment his eyes lit up with mischievous humour.
    Evie felt the room contract, the edges of her vision darken. She looked down at her hands and noticed she was holding a half-eaten custard cream. She looked back up at the man at the table. He’d changed into a different suit since breakfast, and he looked more polished, but maybe that was just the late afternoon sunlight beaming in through the enormous roof lantern. There was no point in trying to deny it anymore. The man sitting opposite had to be Michael.
    Unless he had an identical twin.
    Evie clasped her hands together as Councillor Martin stood up and began to introduce the members of the panel. When he got to Michael’s twin, she held her breath.
    ‘And last but not least,’ the councillor said, his voice taking on a slightly fawning tone, ‘we are very lucky to be joined here today by the CEO of Dynamite Construction himself – Mr Michael Andrews.’

Chapter 6
    Evie’s mouth fell open. This was impossible. Surely she was imagining it? But she was sitting no more than six feet in front of the man, and the councillor himself had just confirmed his name. It really was him.
    Things started to click into place with sickening speed. His expression when she’d mentioned Cupid’s Way. Click. The sudden departure, the trumped-up excuse. Click, click. At least now she knew why he’d rushed out on her that morning – at least that mystery was solved. Not that it gave her any comfort.
    She willed him to look at her, desperate to see his jolt of recognition. But then she shook her head at her own stupidity. He wouldn’t be surprised to see her, would he? He knew perfectly well she’d be here this afternoon. She’d told him enough times.
    ‘DMC,’ she whispered to herself. Was that supposed to stand for Dynamite Construction? ‘But Dynamite isn’t even two words,’ she said out loud.
    ‘What?’ Mavis whispered. ‘Evie? Are you okay?’
    ‘Never better.’ Evie clenched her teeth, looking directly at Michael. Michael Andrews, CEO. Of the company that wanted to tear her grandparents’ home down.
    Mavis followed Evie’s gaze and grimaced.
    ‘That Michael Andrews, he’s a real shark by all accounts. One of the women at my WI group said her husband had a brush with him and he’s hard as nails. “If he was a stick of rock and you cut him in half he’d say ambition from top to bottom.” That’s what her husband said about him.’
    Evie moved her head slowly from side to side, biting her lip. Why hadn’t he just told her who he was? Sure, it would have been embarrassing, but no more embarrassing than this. And to think, only a couple of hours ago she’d been staring at her phone, wondering if he’d call. Hoping he’d call. When all the time he knew that in a few hours they’d be in this room, together.
    She gripped the hem of her skirt and tried to concentrate on what Councillor Martin was saying, but he might as well have been speaking in a foreign language. All Evie could think was: Look at me. Look at me. Look. At. Me.
    And finally, he did. As soon as the councillor finished talking, Michael raised his eyes and looked straight at her. As though he already knew she was seated almost directly in front of him. Their eyes met, and Evie was momentarily gratified to see him flush. But his countenance held the same blankness she’d seen that very morning – and there was not the slightest sign of warmth or friendship. Or of apology.
    ‘You bastard,’ Evie whispered, mouthing the words carefully. Michael nodded once, then looked away. Evie slumped back in her chair, her head spinning.
    ‘What did you say?’ Mavis turned to look at her again, but Evie shook her head.
    ‘Nothing. Forget it.’
    She tried to