When their meals arrived, Emily picked at her salad, eating the tomatoes and basil but scraping the fresh mozzarella off to the side. Natalie ate real food, ate it with gusto. The way Emily was toying with her entrée made him think of a bratty child. He chewed a mouthful of pasta and decided it was time. Reaching into his pocket, he brought out the black velvet box with the pendant inside.

“I got you something.”

“Oh my god!” Emily dropped her fork, pressed her hands to her surgically enhanced bosom. She flashed him a grateful smile, then dived for the box. Her eyes were alight, glowing with avarice, as she opened it. She took the delicate jewelry from its satin nest and held it before her.

“It’s beautiful.” She beamed at him. “I love it.”

“I wanted you to have a token of my affection.” He cleared his throat. “And my appreciation.”

The light in Emily’s eyes faded as realization struck her: This was not a Valentine’s gift. She set the necklace back in the box and closed it. “Thank you.”

“You’re an amazing woman—beautiful and accomplished. I’m sure there are plenty of men who would love to have a relationship with you.”

“Are you ending things?”

“I would love to keep seeing you but . . . it’s my daughter. She’s going through some difficult stuff. She needs my support and attention right now.”

He’d practiced the lie, but even to his own ears, it sounded disingenuous. If Violet were going through stuff, Gabe would be the last person to whom she would turn.

Emily read his deception. “I thought she lived with your ex-wife?”

“She does. But she wants to move in with me. Part-time at least.”

“We could dial things back. See each other less often.” She was grasping, trying not to lose her allowance. “I respect your relationship with your daughter.”

“I think a clean break is for the best.”

He expected her to object, to try another tack, but she pressed her lips together and forced a small smile. “Okay.” Disappointment made her eyes shiny. “I understand.”

This was why he paid for his relationships.

Emily tossed her napkin onto her half-eaten salad, dropped the velvet box into her bag. “I’ve really enjoyed our time together.”

“As have I.”

“If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”

“Of course.” He reached in his pocket for one last gift. “I’d like you to have this.” He slid the envelope across the table toward her. “It’s two months’ allowance.”

In one swift movement, she snatched it up, slipped it into her purse. “I appreciate that.”

She pushed back her chair and stood. Gabe got up, too.

“My driver will take you back to Hell’s Kitchen.”

“Thanks.” She kissed his cheek, lingering just long enough for the pheromones to kick in and make him second-guess his decision. “Goodbye, Gabe.” And then she walked out of the restaurant.

Gabe sat down and signaled the waiter for the bill. He had to get back to the office, had clients coming within the hour. He downed the glass of wine he hadn’t planned to drink, feeling a little forlorn. Emily had been sweet, beautiful, compliant. The ease with which she’d allowed him to end their relationship made him appreciate her more. But he had done this for a reason, and that reason was Natalie. He would see her on Saturday, but he didn’t want to wait. He wanted to see her right then, as soon as possible. She would distract him from the niggling sense of loss he was feeling. Pulling out his phone, he texted her.