On the Boulevard: Chandler Blake Book Three

What happens when the man every woman wants, find the girl he can't live without?It was a busy morning. The phone had rung, nine, maybe ten times already; but, when it rang at nine forty-seven a.m., she knew it was him. Her breath caught in her throat, her heart began to pound…she had been expecting the call since the roses were delivered; actually, expecting it even before then. She knew he would call her. There was not a doubt in her mind. And she knew this was that call. Steadying herself against the onslaught of tumultuous emotions, she gingerly picked up the receiver. “West Hollywood Bank and Trust Company.” She answered, brightly, efficiently. No one would have ever guessed the tsunami-like response that she was experiencing within. “Morning, Ms. Mississippi.” He said in that seductively velvet voice that had enticed her from the moment they met. “Good morning. Thanks for the roses. And the card…..things are not always what they seem….you should wear a tee shirt with those words printed on it……oh my, you’re really nothing like what you seem to be now are you?” she teased.“The card was directed at you, not me.” He replied, laughing slightly as he spoke.“I’m exactly what I seem to be…..exactly who I told you I was…..maybe I left out a few things but, at least I told you my real name. Where the heck did Shiloh come from?”Chandler laughed out loud. “Long story, which I will be glad to explain to you over lunch. Let’s do something a little better than a picnic in the park, this time. I’ll pick the place. What time should I pick you up?” “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” She replied, hesitantly. Actually, she was quite certain it was a horrible idea, but oh how very tempting.“No, sorry. Can’t take no for an answer.” he responded, adamantly, almost authoritatively. “You have to have lunch with me, because I have something that belongs to you.”“What?” “Don’t you know?”“No. What are you talking about?”“How many roses do you have?”“What?” Where was he going with this, she wondered?“The roses you got this morning, how many were there?”“Two dozen. They are beautiful. Thanks, again. I love white roses.”“Are you sure?”“Yes I’m sure. They are beautiful, and white roses are my favorite…of course I’m sure.”“I’m talking about the number. Are you sure you have two dozen?”“Well, ok, no, actually I think the florist made a mistake, there are twenty-three in the vase but they are beautiful and….wait a minute…..how did you know there were only twenty-three?”“It wasn’t a mistake, Chelsea. I have number twenty-four. Looking at it right now. I’ll give it to you when I pick you up for lunch. Eleven thirty sound good?”Chelsea hesitated, but only for a moment. This was a disaster in the making. She knew Chandler Blake’s reputation. He was way out of her league. And what about Brantley? If he found out, he would consider it a huge betrayal. She would lose him. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind. She would lose him. No. She could not do this. Absolutely not. She needed to put an end to this before it began. The temptation was great, but she had too much to lose. She could not start a relationship, even have lunch, with Chandler Blake. “Twelve fifteen would be better.” She replied, horrified by the words as they came tumbling, unbidden, out of her mouth.