He went back in and slid onto the stool next to her. She glanced at him and did a double take.

“I am so, so sorry, sir,” she said. “I ruined your date.”

“Your dog, huh?”

“I know. It was the stupidest thing to say, and there’s no comparison.”

“It’s okay,” Josh said. “I’d be wrecked without my dog.”

“Pebbles?”

“Yes.”

“It’s a really cute name.” She smiled at him and wiped her eyes again.

“Did you get fired?” he asked.

“No. They’re really nice here. Which is great, because I’ve been fired from three restaurants this year alone. They just took me off the floor for the rest of the night. Suggested I have a drink to buck up a little.” She toasted him with her glass. “It’s ginger ale with a teeny bit of rum, because I don’t really drink.” She looked around. “Where’s your girlfriend?”

“Oh, she’s not . . . that didn’t work. She’s a friend. My wife’s best friend from childhood. We were trying to click, and we just . . . didn’t.”

“That sucks.”

“It’s a relief, actually.”

“Again, I’m so sorry about your wife. I bet she was amazing.”

“She was,” he said. “She absolutely was.”

“Can I buy you a drink?” she asked. “I owe you.”

“No, I’m fine,” he said. “I don’t really drink, either.” He looked at her a minute, studying her profile. She had very long eyelashes, and they looked real. Her nose had an appealing bump at the bridge, and her skin seemed very clean. “Would you ever want to go out with me?” he asked.

The question came out of nowhere. He didn’t regret asking, though.

No. He didn’t regret it at all.

She turned, her eyes wide, and blinked a couple of times. “Sure. Yes. Absolutely.” Pink flushed to her cheeks. Pretty.

“You don’t have to say yes,” he added. “You know. Just because you ruined our dinner, or because I’m a tragic widower.” He was flirting. Wow. He was flirting.

“No, no! You’re wicked hot. Oh, God. I’m sorry. Should I have said that? Well, it’s out there, isn’t it? I mean, you have a mirror, you must know.” She was blushing furiously now. “Yes, I would go out with you. I thought you were nice the first time I met you at the vet’s.”

He smiled, then extended his hand. “Joshua Park.”

She took it, and he felt attraction flow up his arm like cool silk. “Rose Connelly,” she said.

He froze, still gripping her hand. “Rose?”

“Yes. My mom was a huge Titanic fan.” She pulled a face. “But I have to say, I love that movie, too.”

He let go of her hand. “Rose was my wife’s middle name.”

Her mouth parted a little. “Really.”