“Believe me, that is not a problem.”

“So if you’re having a black mood, just say I can’t talk, I’m having a black mood. That way, I’ll know it isn’t me. I come from a divorced home. Trauma is not foreign to me, either. I like order, same as you.”

“I can do that.”

I gave him back his clippers. “And maybe you want to consider talking to someone.”

“I’m talking to you.”

“I’m not a therapist.”

“No, but your hourly rates are very reasonable.” He took in my face, then ran a finger slowly across my cheek. “God gives me a chance at Heaven and I throw it away. I must be psychotic.”

I let out a small laugh. “I think you’re overstating the case.”

“You are so gorgeous, Cynthia. It is a thrill just to look at you.”

“And a cheap thrill at that.”

“Now who’s making nervous jokes?”

I didn’t answer.

“You are pure heat. … Everything about you is fire.” His focus was penetrating. “There is this place in Malibu Canyon … next to a creek. All around are beautiful mountains and open sky. Lots of vegetarian dishes. The food is very good and the atmosphere is intimate.”

I knew the place. It was beautiful and very romantic.

“Shall I shower and put on the shirt?”

His eyes were already in sexual fantasy. But I had things on my mind. “This is the deal, Yaakov Kutiel. You told me your baggage. So now you’ve got to hear mine.”

“I’d be honored.”

So I told him. I talked, and talked, and talked, and talked.

We never got to the mountains. He didn’t even have a chance to wear the shirt. We never made it out of bed.

30

I was awakened by a kiss on the cheek, my enchanting prince dressed in jeans and a blue T-shirt, with a plastic-wrapped, laundered set of blue scrubs draped over his shoulder. He was holding a cup of coffee.

“Good grief.” I sat up and pulled the covers over my breasts. “What time is it?”

“A little after ten.” He offered me the mug. “For you.”

I took the coffee and sipped. “Good stuff. Ethiopian. I know because a friend of mine bought me a pound.”

“There’s more where this came from. Plus, toast, juice, and the paper. But alas, you’ll have to eat alone. I must go to work.”

I rubbed my eyes and noticed Koby’s. Like sparkling Tokay. Finally, the brilliance was back. “Did you sleep well?”

“With you by my side, I slept with the angels. And yourself?”

“Great. I was knocked out.” I sipped more coffee, glancing around his tiny bedroom. It had a king-size bed, one nightstand with a phone and a clock, and a small closet with a mirror. No TV, because there was no room. Sunlight was streaming through the sheer curtains, the windows looking out to the rose garden. In actual size, the house was as small as my apartment. But with the homey factor, it wasn’t even close. “I’ll be leaving shortly.”