“Straight from Heaven.” As Jim savored what was passing over his tongue, he looked around with fresh eyes at all the fancy-dancy. Maybe the rich did have a something going on. “So, this is a hell of a place you got.”

“The bluff house is going to be even more magnificent.”

Jim wandered over to the banks of glass and leaned into the view. “Why would you want to leave this?”

“Because where I’m going is better.”

A subtle doorbell-like chiming went off, and Jim glanced down at a phone.

Vin looked over as well. “That’s my business line and I have to take it.” With his beer in his hand, he headed for a doorway on the opposite side of the room. “Make yourself at home. I’ll be right back.”

As the guy walked off, Jim laughed to himself. Home here? Riiiiiiight. He felt like he was part of one of those children’s quizzes where the kid had to pick out the object that didn’t belong: carrot, cucumber, apple, zucchini. Answer: apple. Silk-covered sofa, fine woven rug, workman, crystal decanters. Answer: duh.

“Hi.”

Jim closed his eyes. Her voice was still lovely. “Hi.”

“I…”

Jim pivoted around and was not surprised to find that her eyes were still sad.

As she struggled for words, he held up his hand to stop her. “You don’t have to explain.”

“I’ve…I’ve never done anything like last night before. I just wanted…”

“Something that was very not him?” Jim shook his head as she grew agitated. “Oh…shit…look, don’t cry.”

He put down the beer diPietro had poured for him and came forward holding out the napkin. He would have dabbed at her tears himself, but he didn’t want to smudge the makeup.

Devina’s hand trembled as she took what he offered. “I’m not going to tell him. Ever.”

“And he’s not finding out from me.”

“Thank you.” Her eyes drifted over to the phone console, where a light was flashing next to the word study. “I love him. I do…. It’s just…he’s complicated. He’s a…complicated man, and I know he cares for me in his own way, but sometimes I feel invisible. And you? You actually saw me.”

Yeah, he had. He couldn’t deny it.

“The truth is,” she murmured, “although I shouldn’t have been with you, I don’t regret it.”

He wasn’t so sure of that, given the way she stared up at him like she was waiting for words of wisdom or…absolution. Which he really couldn’t give her. He’d never been in a relationship before, so it wasn’t like he could offer advice about her and Vin—and he only knew from one-night stands, so what might be shocking to her was all he had experience with when it came to sex.