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.”

Kelly took a breath. “You did nothing wrong. You were perfect. You are kind and you listen and you’re generous. There is nothing wrong with you.”

He was looking at her as though he was in pain. “Then why have you avoided me?”

“What you and I were doing was dating.” Her voice was rising. “Movies, TV nights, shopping. We even spent the night together!”

They were interrupted by a cough. “Uh, I hate to bother you, Adam. I can see you’re, uh, busy, but I’d like to talk to you. Monday, maybe?”

“Sure.” Adam’s eyes never left Kelly.

“Here’s my card,” the man said. When he didn’t take it, the man slipped it into Adam’s shirt pocket. He looked from one to the other. “I’ll let you two get back to it.”

“Who was that?” Kelly asked.

“A coach I know,” Adam said. “You and I weren’t dating. We are friends, that’s all.”

She tightened her lips. “Okay, so let’s go back in there and tell everyone what we did together. Let’s get it all out in the open and see what people say.”

When he didn’t reply, she lowered her voice. “Adam, you’re taken. You’re temporary.”

“And Miguel is permanent?”