After locating a parking spot, she went back to the fields. It took a full five minutes to locate Logan, but when she did, he seemed fine as he tossed a lacrosse ball back and forth with a boy she recognized from his club team.

She greeted the few parents she recognized and was beginning to walk away from the fields when she noticed Dr. Drayton less than twenty yards away, speaking to another father. It had been over a month and a half since their last meeting, and although Lina had no idea whether he’d even be happy to see her after Phil’s words, she couldn’t look away. She felt like she was seeing a long-lost friend.

As if he felt her stare, he turned his head. His eyes were concealed beneath aviator sunglasses, and his face showed no reaction, but for an instant his entire body stilled, and she knew he was as affected by her unexpected presence as she was by his. She stood rooted in her spot while he wrapped up his conversation. As he walked towards her, she noticed how graceful he was—not feminine, but lithe like a panther. His strength was subtle, his muscles lean beneath his black T-shirt and faded denim jeans, but there was no mistaking his power.

As if by an unspoken agreement, they slowly walked away from the other parents. “Are you on your own?” he asked as they stopped under a large oak tree.

“Yes. Your son is trying out?”

“Yes. How’ve you been? It looks like you’re sleeping.”

“I am.” She wanted to apologize for Phil’s accusations but didn’t know how without highlighting the fact that her husband had accused him of having inappropriate feelings for her.

“Lina, I wanted to apologize for how harsh I was to you the last time you brought Katie in. You were upset, and I wasn’t sensitive.”

“No. You were right. I got confused. It became about me and not Katie.”

“No. I questioned you. I wanted to know how you were coping, and my reactions to some of your responses were unprofessional. It hasn’t sit well with me for weeks. Please,” he said as he inclined his head. “Accept my apology.”

She smiled. “Okay.”

He glanced down at his watch. “We have a little over two hours. I was planning to go to lunch. Would you join me?”

“Oh.” His invitation surprised her, and she looked down at her compression shorts and tank top. “I was going to run. I don’t know if this is restaurant appropriate.”

“It is for the place I have in mind. It’s right down the street. Outside patio and excellent margaritas.”

Lina hesitated, her gaze shifting to the fields, knowing she should politely decline. She was too aware of him, and if Phil found out she even considered having lunch with him, he’d be upset. But she’d missed him, and she didn’t want to say no. “Are you sure?” She wasn’t referring to her clothes, and she decided he was perceptive enough to realize it.