Eleanor returned to her office, draping a jacket over her arm and picking up her bag before heading toward the elevator lobby.


    Waiting by the elevator weren and Gavin.


    "Miss Sutton," Gavin greeted her with a friendly smile.


    Eleanor nodded in acknowledgment. Just then, one of the elevator doors slid open. Gavin quickly stepped forward to hold it. "Mr. Goodwin, Miss Sutton, after you."


    When the elevator reached the ground floor and chimed, Eleanor was the first to step out. As she looked up, she immediately spotted Xavier sitting on a sofa in the lobby. She headed straight toward him.


    Xavier stood up to greet her, a warm smile on his face.


    Behind her,n paused mid-step, his gaze sharpening as he watched the scene unfold. So, the important friend Eleanor had mentioned was Xavier.


    Xavier noticedn as well and gave him a polite wave.


    "Sorry to keep you waiting," Eleanor said to Xavier.


    Xavier smiled. "Not at all—I just got here. Shall we go?"


    Gavin watched as Eleanor and Xavier walked off together, side by side, and suddenly the whole lobby felt colder.


    "Mr. Goodwin, should we go grab lunch?" Gavin asked in a hushed voice. "Back to the office,"n replied, eyes still lingering on Eleanor and Xavier. "Of course. Your meeting with n is at two thirty-" Gavin began, trailing off. He couldn''t help but think: Mr. Goodwin''s barely had time to breathetely, let alone eat a proper meal. Mr. Vaughn sure seems to have it easier.


    Meanwhile, Eleanor and Xavier had climbed into his car, already discussing what to eat.


    "There''s a great restaurant nearby," Eleanor suggested. "Want to give it a try?" Xavier grinned. "If you rmend it, I''m definitely in."


    Eleanor turned her gaze forward and pointed the way. "Take a left up ahead."


    Before Xavier could start the car, a sleek ck Mercedes rolled past them-it wasn''s car.


    "Ian had meetings here today?" Xavier asked, curiosity in his tone.


    "Yeah—a technical meeting," Eleanor replied.


    Xavier didn''t press for details. Following Eleanor''s directions, he pulled up to a nearby bistro. Eleanor ordered four of the house specialties and checked with Xavier, "Do you like spicy food?"


    Xavier nodded. "A little heat is fine."


    At first, Xavier only noticed a gentle kick, but soon his face turned a shade pinker, like he''d had a ss of wine.


    Eleanor noticed right away. She quickly poured him a ss of water. "I''m so sorry —I didn''t realize these would be so spicy! Let me order a few milder dishes."


    "It''s all right," Xavier said, smiling up at her. "I can handle it."


    This was just regr fare for Eleanor, but she remembered Xavier had studied in the States-he probably wasn''t used to spicy food.


    She quickly added a couple of milder options and looked up to see Xavier watching her.


    "Sorry-next time, you''ll pick the restaurant," she said, a little embarrassed.


    "No worries," Xavier said, picking up another forkful. "Trying new things is half the fun."


    For Xavier, a meal that was too routine would have been forgettable—this, at least, was memorable.


    He couldn''t help but find Eleanor''s flustered rush to order more food rather endearing.


    Xavier took his time, savoring each bite, spice and all. Because it was something Eleanor enjoyed, he wanted to give it a fair shot.


    Soon, the new dishes arrived. Eleanor encouraged him to eat, making sure he wasfortable.


    After their meal, they both sat for a while, letting the food settle before getting up to leave.


    Back in the car, Eleanor pulled a folder from her bag and set it on Xavier''s dashboard. "Actually, I invited you to lunch today because I wanted to give you this."


    Xavier nced at the folder, puzzled. "What''s this?"


    "It''s the final expenses from our trip," Eleanor exined.


    Xavier let out a helpless chuckle. "Eleanor, you really don''t have to be so formal with me."


    "I just don''t like owing favors," she said firmly. "It''s only fair."


    Xavier looked at her, understanding. He knew Eleanor well enough to realize that


    if he refused, she might avoid traveling with him in the future.


    So he epted the folder graciously. "All right-but on one condition."


    Eleanor blinked. "What condition?"


    "You owe me a meal. My choice of time and ce," Xavier said, then added, "Don''t worry, I''ll make sure it doesn''t sh with your schedule."


    Eleanor was relieved he agreed to take the folder. After all, the money meant little to him, but to her, it was about principle. "Deal-just let me know when I''m not swamped, okay?"


    "Of course." Xavier nodded and drove her back to theb.


    As Eleanor climbed out of the car, a silver Bentley pulled up nearby. Faye and Naomi stepped out.


    Faye caught sight of Eleanor, then noticed Xavier at the wheel with his window still down. A sh of jealousy crossed her eyes.


    So this was the real reason Eleanor skipped out on today''s get-together-she had a lunch date with Xavier.


    Xavier nced Faye''s way. Faye smiled sweetly. "Mr. Vaughn, good afternoon." Xavier simply nodded, then started the car and pulled away.


    Faye''s smile faltered as he drove off. She was sure he''d recognized her from the gst month he couldn''t have forgotten her that quickly, could he?


    But judging by Xavier''s reaction, it seemed he really had. Faye felt a pang of disappointment was she really that forgettable?