“The kitchen is fairly new and large for a Manhattan apartment,” he said as they passed the entryway.

“Wow,” she said, peeking inside. “This is amazing. Do you use it much?”

He shook his head. “Not my thing. I’m not home for meals very often. But while you’re here, consider my kitchen your kitchen.”

“You know I will. This is a great apartment. Big for Manhattan.”

He nodded. “I rented this place because there were two extra-large bedrooms and my family is from Florida. This way my mom can come visit, and up until a few months ago, my sister would come by, too. Now she lives in New York City, as well.”

“You mentioned your mother. What about your father?” Faith asked, as he walked through the living area with his large-screen television and ultra-comfortable oversized sofa.

“That is a long story for another time.” One he wouldn’t be getting into now. “But my mom insisted on flying up and helping me match colors so I could impress any women I brought home,” he said with a grin. “Typical mom, she wants her kids married and settled.” Savannah Dare might have gone the nontraditional mistress route herself, but for her children? She wanted the best.

“And will she get that?” Faith turned to him, looking up at him with those curious, gorgeous green eyes.

“Well, let’s see. My sister went the untraditional route, getting pregnant first, but there’s no question she and her husband, Ethan, are head-over-heels in love. Alex is married to a great woman and they had a baby girl recently.” No point getting into the half-sibling thing now. He hoped she’d end the conversation there.

“And you’re the eternal bachelor?” she asked, dispelling that optimistic thought.

“Something like that.” Winking at her, he grasped her elbow and led her to the far side of the apartment, where the two bedrooms were located. “Come. You can check out your room.”

He led her to the bedroom beside his, one his mother had decorated to her taste, with a – cough – bright floral comforter and matching valence above the window.

“Oooh, it’s so pretty!” she said, grasping her suitcase from his hand and pulling it inside.

“I’ll be sure to let my mother know you like it,” he muttered. He’d never forgiven her for the flowered room, but he loved her anyway.

“Wouldn’t that be admitting you brought a woman to your apartment?” she teased him before sitting down on the bed, her shoulders hunching over as she finally let herself relax.

“I was going to ask if you’re hungry but you look beat.”

She lifted her head. “I’m both. Would you mind if I shut my eyes for half an hour before we eat?”

“Of course not. I’ll order us something. Do you want anything in particular?”

She shook her head as she kicked off her shoes. “You choose.” She swung her feet up onto the bed, closed her eyes, and if he wasn’t mistaken, she was out before she her head hit the pillow.