I can’t hear exactly what he’s saying to her, but from his expression and body language, he’s clearly tearing her apart. Over a simple accident! He jabs his finger in her face. Then he kicks a shard of a broken dish against the wall, smashing it further. Damn, if me and Marlene acted this way to each other any time we broke a plate or serving dish, we’d never get any cooking done.

Other diners have started to watch with horror. The server has started to cry. The whole thing has turned into quite an ugly scene …

Until another woman hurries over and gently pulls Dodd aside. She looks to be about thirty, has long, flowing blond hair, and is wearing a tight, blue satin dress printed with pink and white lotus flowers.

She is also stunningly, jaw-droppingly beautiful.

“Let’s get outta here,” Marlene says, pushing her chair back and standing up, “before that nut job goes postal on us.”

Of course, my ex is right. But I can’t tear my eyes away from that statuesque creature with the blond hair and blue dress whispering soothingly to Dodd and stroking his chest. Watching her calm the beast like that makes her even more appealing.

To get my attention, Marlene tugs on my bandaged arm. I yelp in pain, but reluctantly follow her out.

But before we leave the restaurant, I steal one more look at that alluring beauty. I’m not a fan of Dodd’s, but I’d love to get to know his colleague.

I know I’ll never go into business with him, but all the same, I’m thinking that a follow-up meeting with Dodd—with his female companion nearby—would be a wonderful thing.

Just to be polite, of course.

CHAPTER 13

I’m standing with Marlene at the valet station waiting for the attendant to bring around my car. With my unhurt hand, I’m fishing through my wallet, looking for a few bills to tip him with, when I hear a voice call to me.

“Mr. Rooney, wait!”

I turn to face this unknown woman coming out of the LBD front door—and I practically do a double take.

It’s the blonde in the blue dress.

She knows me? And wants to talk to me?

“Mr. Rooney,” she says again, now standing at my side, a bit out of breath. “I’m so sorry you had to witness that. Lucas can be … a bit of a perfectionist. I hope it didn’t ruin your evening.”

“Are you kidding?” Marlene interrupts. “We got a free dinner and a show.”

I subtly elbow my ex-wife to get her to keep quiet and let me do the flirting.

“Not at all,” I say. “The food was exceptional.”

“Thank you,” she says. “And Lucas … he appreciates culinary talent. And he likes to nurture it. I know he talked to you two about possibly going into business.”