“Wow.” She dropped her eyes. “That’s the same age as Phil’s…whatever. Must be nice for men.”

“Lina?”

“Just ignore me. I’m happy you’re happy.” Her eyes drifted to the band.

“What are you thinking?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Tell me.”

She knew telling him was wrong because she was married, but she spoke the words anyway. “I was thinking how lucky she is.”

“Because she’s thirty-one?”

“Because she’s with you.”

“Lina?”

She slowly brought her gaze back to the table, and her chest filled with heat at the desire so clear in his eyes. “Don’t look at me like that,” she whispered.

“I can’t help it.”

“I should leave. This is wrong.”

“You haven’t done anything.” He continued to watch her as the waiter delivered their coffee and dessert.

“What I said was wrong. What I’m feeling is wrong. The way you’re looking at me.” She turned and picked up her purse.

“Please stay. Please.”

“I can’t.”

Chapter 24

24

Lina blinked a few times in confusion, trying to get her bearings. She was lying on her bed, wrapped in Phil’s thick white robe. “Phil?” she croaked. She couldn’t see him, but she sensed him. “Phil?”

“I’m here, baby.” He came into view with a look of concern etching his features. “How do you feel?”

“My head hurts and I’m thirsty.” She held her hand up to shade her eyes from the bedside lamp, and Phil quickly turned it off. “You’re all wet.” She noted he was still in his work clothes but was missing his jacket, and the fronts of his dress shirt and slacks were visibly damp. “What happened to you?”

“Here’s the Gatorade.” Megan’s anxious voice preceded her appearance.

“Open it for me,” Phil said to Megan as he sat down on the mattress beside Lina. He lifted her head slightly, slipping an extra pillow beneath it to prop her up before taking the bottle from Megan and holding it to Lina’s lips. “I need you to drink all of this.”

The cool liquid soothed her dry throat. As instructed, she didn’t stop until she drank the entire bottle. “Thank you.” Her voice was still husky but not quite as raspy.

Identical looks of concern were stamped across Phil’s and Megan’s brows as they watched her. “I found you in the hot tub,” Phil said. “You must have fallen asleep. The temperature was a hundred and two. I was very close to calling 911, but you were responsive, so I just carried you up here. I have no idea how long you were in there. Megan had been home for an hour, but—”

“It wasn’t my fault,” Megan interrupted. There were tears in her eyes. “All the lights were off down there. I assumed you were in your room.”