Page 17 of Her Movie Star's Secret Plan

“Can I help you?” Now Owen was smiling at her. His teeth were so perfect, just like she’d seen on the movie screen so many times.

She stepped forward. She had to get a grip on herself. She lifted her chin. She was a professional. A businesswoman. And she was here to save her bakery—not to gawk at Owen’s obvious male perfection.

“You’re a tough man to track down.”

He gave her a brilliant smile. “And why were you trying to do that?”

“I—uh…” Why did she need to come see him? She really couldn’t remember.

“Did you come to swim? The water’s perfect.”

Hewas perfect.

“Although I have to say, you don’t look like you’re dressed for swimming.”

That was right. She wasn’t there to swim. She was there on business. “I came because I’m mad at you.” Alexis frowned. Her words weren’t working properly. “Ahem, I’m sorry. I, uh…”

Owen stopped smiling. “You’re mad at me?”

“Yes. You’re destroying my business.”

Owen’s brow furrowed. “Go on.”

“It’s your pastry chef. He’s taking my customers.”

“My pastry chef?”

“Yes.”

“Would you mind taking a seat? I’d like to hear what you have to say, but I feel like I’m improperly dressed for a conversation like this.”

“I don’t mind,” she mumbled.

Owen grabbed the railing of the pool ladder and climbed out.

Alexis bit her lip to keep herself from sighing. He really was beautiful. She felt her cheeks growing hot, and she had to refrain from fanning herself.

He pulled the float with the little dog on it to the side of the pool and said, “Come on, Katie, let’s go.” The darling animal hopped off the float and landed on the pavement surrounding the pool.

“She’s adorable. What kind of dog is she?”

“Shih Tzu. She’s spoiled rotten.”

“I thought so. I like to volunteer at the local animal shelter when I have spare time. I have a soft spot in my heart for dogs, and I fill it by volunteering since I’m not allowed to have pets at the apartment where I live.”

“I didn’t know that,” Owen said.

“I can tell you care a lot about your dog,” she said warmly.

She sat by the pool in one of the lounge chairs while Owen wrapped a towel around his waist. She kept her eyes averted. She didn’t want to seem more obvious than she already had been. Owen probably thought she was a blubbering idiot. She wished she’d known he was going to be in the pool. She would have better prepared herself. She just needed to keep her eyes on his face. But even that was so beautiful it was hard to look without blushing.

She wished she weren’t so attracted to him. It would make it much easier to talk to him businessperson to businessperson if she weren’t so busy fighting off the butterflies in her stomach. She’d put all this effort into looking polished, but instead, she’d looked like a fool. How unprofessional of her.

“Make yourself at home. I have drinks in the fridge inside. Feel free to have anything in the pantry.”

Alexis had no intention of making herself at home. She was going to deliver her message to him and then get out quickly so she could clear her head.

Owen disappeared in the house, presumably to get dressed, and Alexis took the time alone to look around the property. Everything looked pristine. Brightly colored cushions adorned the surrounding lounge chairs, a grill stood off to one side of the pool, and potted plants sat scattered around the patio. The back fence was lined with tastefully landscaped bushes. The owner must have put a good bit of money into the yard. She couldn’t imagine how nice the interior of the house was.

Owen must have been spending a fortune to stay at such a nice place. But she would expect no less from him. He was a celebrity, after all. It was strange to wrap her head around since she’d grown up with him. She’d seen him in the tabloids when she was checking out at the grocery store. Admittedly, she’d bought several of the magazines to see what he was doing after all these years, and she followed his social media profiles religiously. So she knew about the glamourous life he’d been living. It was no surprise to her. But she’d known him as the poor kid with a single mom. He’d been over to her house a lot growing up. Chase was his best friend, and he was lonely because his mom worked long hours.

Owen stepped outside in a loose, white, cotton button-down shirt, with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows, and a pair of dark jeans. He still looked so good she could hardly look at him without gawking. He was all Hollywood with his tan and expensive haircut.

She stood up when she saw him. “You’re back.”

He touched her elbow. “No, please, sit down. Make yourself comfortable.” Goosebumps rose on her arm where he touched her, but she tried to ignore the sensation. Now was not the time to fall apart inside. She had to hold it together if she was going to make the right impression.

He sat in the chair across from her. “Tell me more about what my pastry chef has been doing.”

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