“Absolutely nothing! But if he gives me any trouble I’ll remind him that he and Vera spend every weekend together. I saw a matchbook on the floor and it was from a hotel in Omaha. Adam has no right to criticize me about anything when he—”

Miguel’s face had gone pale. “Bringing up something like that is fighting below the belt. Maybe you should pretend that you don’t know about that. Certainly not mention it.” He took a breath. “For your sister’s sake.”

“For her, okay, but Adam had better be nice.”

It took a while to get settled at the table, place their orders and open the first bottle of wine. When Kelly took a sip, Vera said, “Be careful of that. You aren’t used to it.”

“Stop acting like Mom,” Kelly said under her breath. Their appetizers came right away.

“So, Miguel,” Adam said, “what are your plans for the future? Will you get married and still live with Rafe and Forey?” He leaned forward a bit. “And what about Gabrielle?”

Kelly spoke before Miguel could. “Not that it’s any of your business, but Miguel has no obligations to Gabby. That whole marriage thing was made up by Forey with help from my mother. Miguel is free to marry whomever he wants.”

Adam was calm. “I’m sure he is. I was more concerned financially.” He looked at Miguel. “You’ll need a house. Can you afford that?”

Miguel’s expression was dark. “What I have I’ve earned. I don’t depend on Daddy’s money to give me everything.”

“But a girl like Kelly needs things. Animals, for one. She—”

Kelly leaned across the table. “We’re on a date. We’re not engaged! You’re the one who goes away every—” She stopped when Miguel put his hand on her forearm and squeezed hard. And he was right. She’d been about to remind Adam of his illicit weekends with Vera.

Kelly tossed her napkin on the table. “I’m going to the restroom.” Before anyone could speak, she quickly walked to the back. Once she was in the little alcove, she leaned against the wall. She knew she was making a fool of herself, but Adam’s insinuations had made her angry. Actually, just the sight of him made her furious. For a whole month, she’d worked hard to avoid him, but tonight she’d been caught off guard. She’d been looking forward to spending an evening with Miguel, an unattached man. Then to have Adam show up and—

Suddenly, he was standing in front of her. “I have to go,” she said.

“Please,” he said. “Talk to me for a minute. Tell me what I did wrong. Did I ever do anything that was too aggressive? Out of line? I seem to have made you hate me and I don’t understand why.”