Rebecca displays a lofty smile with a glint of I-see-straight-through-you-fucker flare. “Aleck, I’ve been doing this for a very long time. I am very, very good at what I do. I bet you have trouble sleeping because you can’t control your dreams. Even awake that haunts you because control is everything to you. That woman is haunting you, too. Mostly because she doesn’t come easy, and that does little to maintain your controlled nature.”

I look at Rebecca, who’s pouring her eyes into mine so knowingly she could let her wings loose and claim she was my guardian angel and has seen everything I’ve ever been through. Not only wouldn’t I flinch, I’d believe her.

She’s a therapist, I’m a lawyer—we both know when people are lying.

“Red lips, caramel hair, in the middle.”

Rebecca discreetly looks up at the table, observing it delicately. “She’s stunning. She’s also aware of our conversation.”

“Yeah, well, her and I are a dumpster fire waiting to happen. We hooked up last night, and now we’ve decided to stay away from each other.”

She lifts her eyebrow. “All you’re doing is building tension. The space between you and that woman is so electric I can feel the danger of its charge from here.”

“She’s a nightmare.”

Rebecca lifts her glass. “That’s one hell of a beautiful nightmare.”

I laugh, nodding at the busy bartender one more time. “Put a cork in it, Beyoncé. Tell me, why are you still here?”

The bartender, finally making his way to take my order, steps in front of us, throwing his towel over his shoulder. “I apologize for the delay, Mr. Fox. What can I get for you?”

“Not a problem. Send an assortment of wines to my table.” I rub the stubble on my jaw. “Four bottles of your finest for now. And another white wine for my lady friend here, thank you.”

“Thank you,” Rebecca says as the bartender turns and leaves. “I’m relocating to LA, and I have a week’s worth of interviews and meetings lined up. So this is my home base for now. I’m going through a divorce. Home isn’t exactly where I want to be at the moment.”

“Do you need legal advice? I’d be more than happy to help.”

“Handsome and sweet.” Rebecca slides her hand over my shoulder and across my back.

She’s a sexy woman, but it doesn’t feel sexual. It feels like we’ve formed a friendship and that feeling is new to me. Especially since she’s hot enough that I’d typically want to sleep with her. I bet she’s a tigress in the sack, yet, I’m not interested in the slightest. Not sure what the fuck that is all about.

“Says literally no one who’s ever known me. The handsome part, sure. But sweet? Never.”

“Eh, you’re a sweetheart. I see it. Anyway, my sister is a divorce lawyer. But thank you.”

I stand, lifting Rebecca’s hand to my lips. I kiss her knuckles, then lay it back down. “Good luck on the divorce, Rebecca. I always say, ‘people are shit.’”