I snap back to the present moment when a shot glass is handed to me. The stranger clinks his beer bottle against it and takes a long swig. His eyes flick up at the balloons. “Those for you?”

I grimace at the reminder. “Yup.”

“Sorry to hear that.”

“Everyone else seems to think congratulations are in order.”

He shakes his head. “Divorces are sad.”

“You wouldn’t think so with how many couples were in the courtroom today.”

“Just because it’s common doesn’t make it any less tragic.”

He’s right. His honesty puts me at ease with this conversation. Either that or the whiskey is melting my reserve.

“I feel like a failure,” I confess. “Just another idiot who married the wrong person.”

“You’re not an idiot. Everyone makes mistakes. At least you had good enough sense to correct it. Do you know how many people stay stuck in their mistakes?”

I tilt my head to the side, turning his words over in my mind. “That actually makes me feel a little better.”

“Just a little? Guess I’ll have to keep trying.”

My eyes bounce back and forth between his eyes, smiles tugging at both of our mouths. Flirting like this breathes some much-needed life into my lungs. I’ve missed this.

Andrea pokes her head between us. “Are you single?”

The sexy suit keeps his eyes fixed on me when he says, “I am. Wouldn’t’ve come over here if I wasn’t.”

She fans herself with her glittery clutch. “Sexy and a gentleman? He’s just the guy you need tonight, Rae.” She winks and bounces back to our friends.

I’m about to apologize for my friend’s forwardness when I realize something. Why should I apologize? Andrea is being herself. Nothing wrong with that. I’m sure this cocky man in a suit wouldn’t think twice about apologizing for anything he says.

I’ve apologized to Andrew enough to last me a lifetime—mostly for things I didn’t need to apologize for in the first place.

“So what’s Rae short for?” the Sexy Suit asks.

“Raegan.” I extend my hand toward him. “And you are?”

“Jaxon.”

When his large hand engulfs mine, goosebumps spread up my arm. He doesn’t let go right away, his coffee-colored eyes penetrating mine.

Black coffee. No cream or sugar. Just the rich, bold taste. Wouldn’t I love a sip.

It feels like forever since I’ve touched a holding hand that felt like this. It feels like forever since I’ve touched a holding hand period. I didn’t realize how starved I’ve been for affection until now.

I wonder how his hands would feel on my body …

I pull away before I start humping his leg like a dog. “So, are you really a CEO?”

“Something like that. I actually got a promotion today. Hence the suit.”

“Congratulations. What do you—”