She smiles, her row of perfectly whitened teeth almost gleaming in the dim bar lights. “Khalil Gibran said, ‘Faith is a knowledge within the heart, beyond the reach of proof.’ People prove to be disappointing, but have faith, Aleck, beyond what people have shown you in the past. Some people are our people and some people just distract us from the true life we’re meant to live. My husband was a very good distraction, but he wasn’t my person. When you find your person, your true life will start. I wish that for you.”

“Hmm. Well, what do you know?” I say with a smirk. “You’re just a shrink.”

Rebecca laughs and slides a card into my breast pocket. “If you ever want to unburden yourself or simply need someone to tell you to pull your head out of your ass, call me.”

I smile warmly, tapping my pocket, then turn around to make my way back to the table.

Winter slides out of the booth as a few servers arrive with a tray full of wine bottles and fresh glasses. I cut through the crowd, following her, and head to the hallway she just disappeared through.

Just as I round the corner, I see Winter slip into the women’s restroom, and as much as I want to charge in there after her, I wait, leaning against the wall outside of the bathroom door.

After a couple of minutes, Winter finally exits, smoothing out her dress.

“Sup…” I say, snapping her attention to me.

She smiles nervously, then fidgets with the hem of her dress. “Hey… What are you doing?”

“I wanted to see if you were okay.”

“I’m okay. Are you okay?” Her tone harbors some edge. “You’re such a gentleman, kissing hands and everything. You’ve never been that nice to me.”

And there it is. She probably didn’t even have to pee. She probably went into the bathroom to poke my voodoo doll with pins.

“I’ve been plenty nice to you. Thus, this check-in.” A slow smile curls my lips. “Are you jealous, Winter?”

“No need to check-in, Aleck. I’m a grown woman. And I’m not jealous.”

“Well, you’re acting like a child. A very jealous child.”

Winter huffs like the cutest little disgruntled child I’ve ever seen. “It’s just, you went up to order drinks for God’s sake. Women just put their hands all over you immediately after meeting you, huh? Is that normal for you?”

I cross my arms over my chest, almost tickled she’s become so heated. “Are you done?” My tone pandering and my smirk amused.

“Don’t play with me, Aleck.” She takes a thick step to stomp away, but I snake my arm around her waist, pulling her into my body. I turn us around and back her into the wall.

“I know her,” I say. “There’s nothing romantic between us, but even if there were, I wouldn’t be able to notice, because you’re the most beautiful woman in the building.”

She opens her mouth to speak, but I temporarily lose my fucking mind and crash my lips over hers.