Liv held her breath. She stroked her bobbed hair, slipped on Essie’s sunglasses again and stepped out of the shadows to stand before him.

Hank looked at her briefly before doing a double take. He barked a surprised laugh. “Jeez, you look like someone I know.”

A voice in Liv’s head told her to go home, but she wanted to talk to him more. “I hope it’s someone you like,” she said.

As they faced each other, the raindrops grew heavier. Hank’s eyes didn’t leave her, sweeping over her clothes and hair. “You’re getting soaked.” He shrugged off his denim jacket and draped it around her shoulders. His short shirtsleeves showed off his biceps, and Liv realized she had never seen him wearing long sleeves in any photos. He’d have no need for bee-shaped cuff links, and Essie had commissioned them a long time before she’d even met Hank.

“You should get back inside,” he said.

Liv shook her head. “It’s too busy in there,” she said. She couldn’t believe she was actually turning down his offer. But her feet were sore and the rocket fuel was kicking in, making her light-headed.

“I know a place,” he said. “Come with me.”

“Where?”

“Don’t worry. I don’t bite.” Hank held out his hand. “Got me a VIP zone.”

He was every bit as magnetic as his author photos. Liv let him lead her through a door.

As Hank reentered the bar, people parted like the Red Sea. He made his way to a raised area. Someone moved a rope, and Hank and Liv sat on a squishy red leather sofa together. Hank repositioned himself closer to her, so his outer thigh nearly touched hers. She surreptitiously inched away. Two glasses of whiskey appeared from nowhere.

“You sure look like Essie Starling,” Hank said. “You know her?”

“I actually work with her. She lent me these clothes.”

He twitched an eyebrow. “Yeah? What’s your name?”

“Liv. Olivia Green.”

“Hey, right.” He nodded, tipping his glass toward her. “Yeah, I heard of you.”

Liv’s heart almost leaped out of her body. “You have?”

“Ess mentioned you.”

“You still talk to her?”

“Rarely.” He smiled wryly. “Wish it was more often.”

“She doesn’t speak to many people.”

“Yep. Have to trick her into taking my calls. Got unfinished business, me and Ess...”

Liv wondered what it was. She was more amazed that she’d been a topic of Essie and Hank’s conversation. “What did she say about me?”

Hank swigged his drink. “Can’t recall much. Ess said someone worked for her, name of Olivia. Said you guys got along. ’Fraid that’s all I got.”

Liv felt flames of curiosity ignite inside her. “Please try,” she said, trying not to sound desperate.