Page 38 of The Billionaire's Masquerade Ball

His voice came across much cooler than he had planned. Cynder’s mouth dipped and Xander felt a surge of guilt so rare that he didn’t remember the last time he felt anything like it. Gone was the light-hearted banter they had shared in the car. His plan to put up walls was working, but it didn’t make him feel any happier.

“Friday it is. I’ll expect a name and a phone number. No—better yet. Get me an appointment with her.”

“And then you’ll hire me? Officially.”

“Then I’ll see what I can do,” Xander said. The tone of his voice dismissed her as he turned back to his work. He tried not to watch her walk slowly back to the table where Wyatt waited, a strange and concerned look on his face. He glanced at Xander, giving him perhaps the first-ever look that was disapproving. It was the kind of look that would normally get him reprimanded, but Xander simply frowned and went back to the same report he had been trying to read since they returned to the office, trying not to think about why Cynder looked so disappointed.

* * *

Cynder should have known. Of course, Xander wanted to meet her. The woman in the fancy dress. Even if she had insisted that she didn’t belong at the party, Xander had said it himself—she looked the part. While Cynder, whether in her black uniform in the kitchen or now in her suit, wasn’t his type. She had thought maybe he was attracted to her, both when she was cleaning his cut and again briefly that morning before they got back to his offices, but clearly not. He was treating her like she really was just another assistant. And now she had the task of tracking down the woman in the dress..

She groaned. Could she really feeling jealous … of herself? This was ridiculous. But there was no way she was going to reveal her identity.

“There goes my job,” Cynder said in a voice quiet enough that she didn’t think Xander could hear, but not soft enough to appear that she was sharing secrets.

Wyatt rolled his eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous. Just tell him the truth. You were the woman in the mask. I can’t wait to see his face when you complete his ‘impossible’ task in five minutes rather than five days.”

“What do you mean an ‘impossible task’?”

“Xander likes to give near-impossible assignments to see how people respond. It’s a test.”

“He said it was an interview, not a test. That I won’t get to keep my job—”

“You aren’t going to lose your job. I know Xander. Lots of bark and definitely some bite, but he’s got a good heart. I know that he felt terrible that you got fired. He should have known that Patrick was Gail’s son and if he had, he never would have gone in there the way he did.”

“Why did he?”

Wyatt’s mouth pulled down. “I don’t know. He’s been a little bit off lately.”

“Since the gala?”

“No, since before, but leading up to it. I feel like it’s something about this charity. I haven’t been able to put my finger on what it is. Normally he would have been the first person to know that Gail’s team—other than you—is family.” Cynder probably should have said something about her own connection to Gail, but let Wyatt continue. “And he would never have needed someone else to find out a woman’s name. He would have known it. I’m also guessing that this has less to do with business. Seems like he likes all the versions of you.”

He gave her a knowing look. Of course, it wasn’t about business. She and Xander had talked about business, but the few moments they shared were not professional. She wasn’t about to tell Wyatt about the almost kiss. Just the thought of it made her feel more aware of her lips. She hadn’t wanted her first kiss to be like that—with someone she had just met.

But a part of her wondered. What if she had let him kiss her? What if she hadn’t run? If she had taken off her mask and told him her name?

She glanced at Xander, who was furiously working at his computer. Just the sight of his handsome face made it hard to focus on what she was supposed to be doing. He had spoken with such kindness about losing her father.

How had that shifted into the cold demeanor from moments ago?

The way he spoke to her was hardly better than the way Gail did. Worse, because it was so unexpected. Earlier that morning he had been laughing at her words and seemed to enjoy her company. Was it just being in his office? Is this how he was in his work environment? The hurt made her want to walk right through the middle of his plush office and out the door.

“Look, it’s clear you like him,” Wyatt said.

“What? I don’t—”

“Cynder. You like him. I can see it all over your face. Now he’s trying to find a mystery woman who is actually you. So, what’s the problem?”

“Several things. First, he’s not trying to find me. He’s trying to find the woman he met at the gala.”

“Who was you.”

“But he doesn’t know that. I’m right here, but he’s looking for her. Someone else. I know it’s me, but he doesn’t. And he’s not after me. It’s not surprising. They call him the Billionaire Playboy, right?” Her voice sounded much more bitter than she wanted it to.

“Among other things. But it’s an act,” Wyatt said simply. “He has women on his arm publicly, but I don’t think it’s even physical. It’s just about an appearance he’s been maintaining.”

“Why would anyone want that appearance?”

---