Zack gave him a once-over as discreetly as he could. The guy had brown curls, tan skin, and a slim but toned body. He was handsome too, with a square jaw and intense, dark eyes. He caught Zack’s gaze and smiled. Zack blushed. Clearly he hadn’t been as subtle as he thought.

“Hey, Zack,” Alexa said, “that guy is staring at you.”

“I know. I’m staring back.”

“Want me to move?”

“Um.” Before Zack could decide, Alexa hopped off his lap, clearing a path. The man wasted no time dragging his eyes down Zack’s body and then back up to his face. Zack’s heart skipped a beat. While he was still processing the sudden appearance of this sexy stranger, the man picked up his drink and sauntered over. Alexa and Lee casually edged away while Zack remained frozen in his chair. The man stopped just in front of Zack, their knees almost touching.

“Hey,” the man said. Now that he was closer, Zack could see that his eyes were a beautiful honey-brown color.

“Hey,” Zack said automatically. “How are you?”

“I’m fine. I just thought I’d come over and say hi.”

“Oh?” Zack quirked an eyebrow. “And what made you decide to do that?”

The man laughed. It was a low, throaty sound that Zack could hear even over the music, though his voice was muffled. “You don’t recognize me, do you?”

Zack frowned. “No, I can’t say I do.”

A slow smile crept over the man’s face. He stuck his hand out. “My name’s John.”

Zack’s heart stopped cold. At first, he was too shocked to do more than stare stupidly at John. When his brain finally came back online, he couldn’t think of a single thing to say. An awkward silence passed, and John’s smile faded. Eventually, he lowered his hand.

“You all right?” John asked with a look of mild panic.

“No,” Zack blurted. “I mean yes. I mean, do I know you?” It couldn’t possibly be that John, could it?

“Well,” John said, “in a sense, yes, but we haven’t officially met. Hence my introduction.”

“Right,” Zack said. He shook his head and then held out his hand. “Sorry, that was rude of me.”

John smiled again. He took Zack’s hand and gave it a firm shake. “It’s crazy running into you here. It wasn’t until I heard you talk to the bartender that I recognized you. I’d know your voice anywhere.”

Zack’s heart couldn’t decide if it wanted to stop or race. He clutched the bar top for support. “Jesus, it’s really you.”

John laughed. “I was beginning to think you’d never figure it out. I’d be offended, but hey, it’s not like we’re old friends or something. I’ll let it slide. This time.” He winked.

Zack’s blood buzzed in his ears. He took a slow, steady breath, willing himself to calm down even as his pulse throbbed in the tips of his fingers. He needed to hear John say it. “So, just to clarify, where do I know you from?”