I knew I was treading dangerously close to Josh and all our discussions about that bigger life. My delinquent wits finally showed up, telling me to steer the conversation in another direction, but James did it for me. “Did you enjoy it, the touring?” he asked.

“Yes—mostly. And eventually, I wanted to move back to Australia.” I left it at that, and he didn’t press, which I appreciated. I could talk ad nauseum about my touring days, the places I’d been to, the people, the loneliness. Not exactly great date conversation, that last part.

“So, where was the flatshare?”

“Crouch End,” I replied. Then I added, “N8.”

“Oh, Crouch End is terrific. Good coffee.”

I was amused and a little dubious. “You’ve spent time in Crouch End?”

“Of course. It has a wonderful arts scene. I have quite a few artists on my books that I found in boutique galleries in and around Crouch End.” Ahhh, of course.

I took a sip from my neglected wine glass. The Sancerre was delicious.

“To reunions,” said James, holding his glass aloft.

“Oh, sorry. Here I am drinking without a toast. To reunions,” I said, smiling to cover my embarrassment. We clinked glasses and each took a sip. When James placed his glass back on the table, his mouth bore a hint of a smile and he seemed to drink me in with his eyes. My heart sped up under his gentle scrutiny, and I held his gaze unflinchingly.

He truly was a magnificent-looking man.

The night before, I’d told Cat that James reminded me of a salt-and-peppered Richard Armitage. Sitting opposite him, I was seeing hints of Gerard Butler too. That should give you an indication of the level of gorgeousness I was dealing with.

“I didn’t tell you before how beautiful you look today,” he said, out of nowhere. Or maybe he had read my mind and wanted to return the compliment.

Regardless, I blushed. And I don’t usually blush, but I felt the warmth creep up my chest and fill my cheeks. I hoped I didn’t look like I’d just downed a giant bowl of heavy-hitting Tandoori.

“Thank you,” I replied, as graciously as I could. Where was the food?

In a moment of truly perfect timing, two plates of crab cakes and grapefruit salad arrived at the table—exactly what I would have ordered for a starter.

“Happy?” asked James. I knew he was talking about the food, but when I considered my reply it encompassed a whole lot more.

“Absolutely.” I smiled at him and took a bite of crab cake. It was divine.

*

The rest of lunch was just as delicious. Paulie prepared pan-fried seabass for the main course and sent out a cheese board for dessert. I love sea bass—and cheese. Paulie was clearly a genius.

Just as we were finishing the cheese course, I asked James where he grew up. I’d been listening closely to him all through lunch and even though I’m usually good at picking accents, I still hadn’t pinned his down. It seemed to be a hodgepodge of several western European accents.