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handle that.
    Geoff seemed to be different than the other men she’d dated before but she was afraid to believe in that. Men had let her down and she had a hard time trusting her judgment as a result. For all she knew, he could be just like the rest of them.
    Tonight she needed to be poised and sure of herself. She didn’t want him to guess that she’d spent extra time thinking about her outfit or what she would say. She wanted him to see the woman the world thought she was. A hotel heiress with nothing on her mind but the next big party.
    That would be harder than it sounded, she thought. Being that vapid took a lot of work. She smiled at the bellman as she walked into her apartment building and went up to her apartment.
    Her sweet little dog was waiting for her and she scooped her up and held her close. For a minute she wished she didn’t always have to be on when she walked out her front door. And she almost wished that she could let her guard down and share with Geoff how difficult it was to keep up the illusion of Amelia Munroe.

Three
    A melia laughed and all heads in the restaurant turned to look at her. Geoff was getting used to the fact that she commanded attention—and took his breath away as well. She was charming and funny, something he’d already known from the time they’d spent together in Africa. But tonight, despite the impression he’d had, she didn’t even seem aware of the attention she garnered. Her focus was entirely on him.
    “So there you were, caught by your superior in a compromising situation. What’d you do?”
    “I told him I was doing my duty for queen and country.”
    She laughed again, and it was then that he realized her laughter never reached her eyes. She was laughing because the story was meant to be funny but there was something upsetting her.
    “Are you all right?” he asked.
    “Yes. Why do you ask?”
    “Your eyes.”
    “My eyes?”
    “Yes, I can tell that you aren’t really engaged in what I’m saying. Don’t get me wrong—you’re a wonderful audience. But your heart isn’t in it.”
    Those very eyes of hers widened. “How did you know?”
    “I just do. What’s on your mind?”
    “It’s not worth discussing. Especially when I’m having dinner with a sexy guy like you.”
    Geoff reached across the table and captured her hand. He stroked his thumb over her knuckles. “I’m more than just a guy.”
    “Sexy guy,” she said.
    He was tempted to let her distract him from the topic, but he knew this was a chance for a real conversation and he wasn’t going to pass it up.
    “That’s not going to work. Later on, when I claim my goodnight kiss, we can talk about how sexy you think I am. But right now I want to know what’s on your mind.”
    She turned her hand over in his and threaded their fingers together for a moment before pulling her hand back. “It’s a bit heavy for a first date.”
    “You and I are beyond first-date stories. Tell me, Amelia.”
    “I have to—” She shook her head. “I can’t do it. I know you mean well, but if I tell you about this, then we certainly won’t be having the date you signed up for this evening.”
    He knew there was a lot more to this woman than met the eye. Now he was going to find out just how much more.
    “Trust me. I’m very good at keeping confidences.”
    “Are you?”
    “Yes. And no matter what else happens between us, I’d like to believe we are at least friends.”
    As a flash of surprise flickered in her eyes, he realized that she wanted to believe that, too.
    She leaned forward. “I…how much do you know about my family?”
    “We have a bit in common in our births, don’t we?”
    “Yes. Well, you have more in common with my brother. My parents married before I was born.”
    “But there was scandal around you both.”
    “Yes, there was,” she said, then shook her head. “You really don’t want to hear this. And to be honest, I don’t think I want to tell you. Please, let’s go back to