Lena poured her sister another cup of French Vanilla Café coffee. She had been surprised to receive Lynda’s call earlier that afternoon. Her dear sister was trying to play matchmaker again. What was it about newly married women? They want every single woman in their acquaintance to join them in wedded bliss. Her sister meant well, but Lena wasn’t ready for a relationship. The wound from Brian’s betrayal was still too fresh. For the moment, she wanted to concentrate on her career and leave romance to the writers.

"Do you want another cookie?" Lena asked. She helped herself to another flaky confection sprinkled with sugar. "You can’t beat fresh slice and bake cookies."

Lynda smiled and reached for her coffee. "No thanks. I’m trying to watch my weight. You know Jerry and I are trying for a baby soon. I’ve got to get off ten pounds before that happens."

"Mom’s chomping at the bit for a grandchild." Lena sipped the delicious brew of coffee and French Vanilla. "I think she and Aunt Grace are in a race to see who gets the first grandchild."

"You know how Mom loves to spoil babies," Lynda smiled. She eyed her sister thoughtfully. "Speaking of family, isn’t it about time you found yourself a good man?"

Lena set her cup down with a small click. "Lynda, you know very well I’m not interested in seeing anyone now. I’d like to concentrate on my business."

"Don’t worry about me." Lena leaned forward. "I’m content with my situation."

"I’m telling you," Lynda continued. "This friend of Jerry’s is fabulous. You know my husband would never set you up with a loser."

"Oh, really?" Lena murmured. "As I recall, the last man Jerry introduced me to was so busy talking about himself he never did know what I did for a living."

Lynda grimaced. "That was an isolated case."

Lena studied her sister over the rim of her stylish glasses. She debated whether to confide to Lynda about her dinner plans. She could not help but smile to herself. Lynda would be shocked to know who she was having dinner with that evening. The meeting with Gage McCotter was a business dinner, but it might put Lynda’s nagging to rest for a time.

"You might be interested in hearing about the man I met today."

"You’re just trying to change the subject," she said. "Maybe we should…"

"I met Gage McCotter this morning," Lena said with a nod of her head. "I’ve been wanting to do consulting work with him for quite some time. We’re meeting for dinner tonight."

"No way," Lynda nearly shouted. Her coffee cup crashed to its saucer. "You actually connected with that guy? Wait a second," flinging her hands about wildly. "I want to make sure we’re talking about the same Gage McCotter. He’s the gorgeous, rich guy that was on the cover of Forbes magazine last month?"

Lena couldn’t stop herself from laughing. "Yes. That’s him."

"Well, well," she smiled shrewdly. "You’ve been playing your cards pretty close. When were you going to tell me about Mr. Gorgeous?"

"Don’t get yourself all excited," Lena interjected. "It’s just business."

"Yeah, right." Lynda leaped from her chair and began to pace the room. "Let him think it’s just business. We know better."

Lena wanted to tell her sister everything, but held back. She could not deny she was attracted to the man. What woman wouldn’t be? He was handsome, intelligent, and wealthy which made for a dangerous combination. There was also an element of uncertainty to the entire affair. For some reason, she didn’t want to confide what she had overheard between the two men at NST Technology. If she had stumbled upon a sinister plan, Lena didn’t want her sister involved.

Lena stood and picked up the forgotten coffee cups. "Lynda, I hate to cut this conversation off, but I have to get ready for dinner."

"What time is he picking you up?"

"He’ll be here at 7:00 p.m."

Lena immediately noticed a crafty gleam in her sister’s brown eyes. She had the look of a woman ready to set a trap.

"Don’t even think about it," Lena said cautiously. "I’m not going to consider Gage McCotter as mate material. He’s too arrogant."

"Arrogant, smarogant." Lynda waived her hand in a dismissive gesture. "How much time would you actually spend with the man? He works all the time. A little arrogance is a good thing."

Lena put her hands on her narrow hips. "Where do you think you’re going?"

Lynda was already turning the corner to disappear down the hall. "We’ve got to get you dressed."

Lena rolled her eyes. There were more important problems to consider at the moment than what dress would flatter her figure. What dangerous game was being played at NST Technology? Why had Gage suddenly wanted to meet with her? He had been quick to push her aside until his partner Mathew Kesselman had appeared. There was something suspicious about Kesselman, she thought.

Lena had to keep her wits about her this evening no matter what spin the matchmaker attempted to put on the meeting.