Fall for Me by Sydney Landon Page A

had been sheltered her whole life. She had looked and dressed like someone at least twenty years older than she actually was.
    Since Beth had spent most of her life hiding behind her overweight appearance, she could recognize a cry for help when she saw it. She knew that Ella desperately wanted to fit in and that she didn’t have a clue as to how to do it. Beth might have problems with her own self-esteem, but she had no such qualms about helping Ella find her inner goddess. And, boy, had they ever!
    The woman who stood in front of her now bore little resemblance to the awkward person of just months ago. Ella practically radiated happiness. She was still nervous and shy when someone out of her small circle of friends spoke to her, but she had come such a long way. Ella’s former mousy brown hair was now a chestnut color and hung down her back in a long, shimmering curtain. Her blue eyes captured one’s attention immediately and her adorable dimples made people try even harder to make her smile. She was small and petite, and Beth simply loved her to pieces.
    The elevator chimed before they could move away and Declan Stone stepped out. She saw Ella’s face light up as if she were a child sitting on Santa’s lap for the first time. For some reason, Ella was nervous around every man of her acquaintance except Declan. Like herself, Beth thought that Ella needed to get out there more, but she didn’t think Declan was the ticket.
    The man was hotter than Myrtle Beach on the Fourth of July, but there was something almost dangerous about him. You never saw him standing around chatting with others, nor was he connected romantically with anyone. The man was a machine. Everything he said was direct and to the point. According to Nick, he was flawless in business negotiations and well respected around the world.
    The only person who seemed to thaw the ice surrounding Declan was the woman standing beside her, and Beth was both impressed and terrified for her friend. Ella tended to stammer a lot when men spoke to her, but with Declan, everything was effortless for her. Beth caught a glimmer of a smile on Declan’s surprisingly lush lips when his gaze rested on Ella.
    “Good morning, Declan,” Ella enthused.
    “Morning, Ella. I . . . hope everything worked out okay with your grandmother’s procedure.”
    My god, this is priceless. He likes her. The Iceman actually likes Ella. Oh, shit, no! He will eat her for lunch and spit her out. She needs a man with training wheels to get her feet wet, not a man who started life as a Corvette.
    “She did great, Declan, thank you for asking.”
    Clearing his throat and obviously uncomfortable to be having this conversation in front of Beth, Declan turned his gaze and finally acknowledged her presence. She got the more formal, “Good morning, Beth.”
    “Good morning, Declan. Ella, I’m going to go check in with Suzy. How about lunch today?”
    Ella smiled and agreed immediately. When Beth turned the corner, she saw Ella and Declan still standing in the same spot. Ella seemed to buzz around him like a brightly colored firefly and Declan seemed helpless to look away.
Why are you worrying so much about Ella and Declan? It seems like you have more than enough problems of your own to keep you busy for a while. Ella’s a big girl and there is no way Declan would get seriously involved with her. She is way too innocent for him.
    * * *
    When she walked into her sister’s office, Suzy was ramming papers in her red leather bag and cursing under her breath. Sparing Beth a quick glance when she closed the door, Suzy said, “I have to be across town in twenty minutes and I can’t find my damn phone.”
    Beth smiled as she walked to the credenza behind Suzy’s desk and unplugged her sister’s iPhone. “I think you plugged it in here to charge.”
    “Why can’t they make a phone that doesn’t have to be charged? What’s wrong with a twelve-month Duracell?” Suzy grumbled. “I’ll be gone