“I told you he was smooth.” After peeking in another carton, she nibbled on some chilled chicken and bean sprouts. “Don’t you know any nice teenage girls you could nudge in his direction?”

“Lola’s got one,” Zack said, considering. “I think she’s sixteen.”

“Lola has a teenager?”

“Three of them. She likes to say she started young so that she could lose her mind before she turned forty. I can feel her out about it.”

“It couldn’t hurt. I’m going to try again, though I’m hoping the feeling will pass in another week or two.”

“I wouldn’t count on it.” Reaching across the table, he linked his fingers with hers. “You stick in a man’s mind.”

“Does that mean you’re thinking of me when you’re mixing drinks and flirting with the customers?”

“I never flirt with Pete.”

She laughed. “I was thinking more of those two ‘babes’ who drop in. The blonde and the redhead. They always order stingers.”

“You are observant, Counselor.”

“The redhead’s got her big green eyes on you.”

“They’re blue.”

“A-ha!”

He shook his head, amazed he’d fallen so snugly into the trap. “It pays to know your regulars. Besides, I like brown eyes—especially when they lean toward gold.”

She let his lips brush hers. “Too late.” With her head close to his, she laughed again. “It’s all right, Muldoon. I can always borrow Rio’s meat cleaver if you notice more than her eyes.”

“Then I’m safe. I’ve never paid any attention to those cute little freckles over her nose. Or that sexy dimple in her chin.”

Eyes narrowed, Rachel bit his lip. “Get any lower, and you’ll be in deep water.”

“That’s okay. I’m a strong swimmer.”

Hours later, when Zack crawled into a cold, empty bed, he warmed himself by thinking of it. It had been nice, just nice, to laugh together over the cardboard boxes and chopsticks. They’d sampled each other’s choices, talking while the candles had burned low. Not about Nick, not about work, but about dozens of other things.

Then they’d made love again, slowly, sweetly, while the night grew late around them.

He’d had to leave her. He had responsibilities. But as he settled his body toward sleep, he let his mind wander, imagining what it could be like.

Waking up with her. Feeling her stretch against him as the alarm rang. Watching her. Smiling to himself as she hurried around the apartment, getting dressed for work.

She’d be wearing one of those trim suits while they stood in the kitchen sharing coffee, talking over their plans for the day.