“I see her. Thank you,” he said to the hostess, hoping that would suffice as a dismissal. He wasn’t sure what kind of reception he was about to get and didn’t particularly want an audience.

His eyes never strayed from Lauren’s beautiful auburn hair, which she wore down in long waves. He took a deep breath and fisted his hands at his side. Approaching on her left, he stopped at the edge of the table.

She was reading a menu but looked up when she sensed his presence. Surprise registered on her face.

“Andrew?” She looked past him, then her eyes returned to his face.

He offered her a cautious smile. “So, funny story…”

Her eyes narrowed.

Andrew wiped his hands across his jeans.

“Logan’s my best friend. I was with him the night you gave him your number.” His pulse raced, but he forged ahead. “I told him who you were, that I knew you, and that it would be weird for me if he called you. I took your number, and for two weeks talked myself out of using it. But I couldn’t do it anymore. I’m the one who texted you yesterday.”

Lauren didn’t respond right away. Her jaw was tight, but otherwise her face was devoid of obvious emotion.

Andrew had grown up around four women, and knew silence was deceptive. Any time he’d done something stupid, a calm demeanor from his mother had told him things were about to get very bad.

And if Valerie appeared cool and collected? Lord have mercy.

It was awkward just standing there, so he sat down across from her. “I’m sorry,” he added. “I know it was wrong.”

Lauren simply stared at him, her eyes moving back and forth between his, like she was searching for something. Still, she said nothing.

“Are you mad?” he asked.

She pursed her lips and took in a long, deep breath, the process seeming to take an entire minute. “Would you be?”

“Probably,” he admitted.

“Then there’s your answer,” she said stiffly.

A strange sensation of fullness lodged in Andrew’s throat. He swallowed it down. “You’re right. I’m sorry to put you in this position. I should go.”

He was halfway out of his chair when Lauren’s hand grabbed his forearm. “Wait.”

Andrew lowered himself back down. She rubbed her temple with her opposite hand, and then her green eyes met his.

“We’re both already here,” she said. “I’m starving. Let’s at least have dinner. But this doesn’t mean anything, okay?”

“Understood.” He picked up his menu and offered her a small, sincere smile as a sort of peace offering.