Maybe it was a small thing, but the fact that in spite of his busy schedule Nicholas had come down to meet me meant even more than the flowers and chocolates.

Back when I was still married, my husband, Dan, invited me to lunch, then forgot about it. I waited alone for almost an hour before calling him.

“Sorry, I forgot,” he said. “I got distracted.”

“Am I that forgettable?” I asked.

“Don’t talk to me about forgetting,” he said.

That shut me up. I hung up the phone, then broke down crying.

I finished my lunch and went back to work.

Chapter Six

CHAPTER

Six

The lawyer and I made our plans for the next seven weeks. It looks like fun. Which is probably what the last Hindenburg passenger thought as he boarded the blimp.

Elise Dutton’s Diary

The next morning I was booking rooms at a New York hotel when Zoey walked in carrying a silver box from Nordstrom and set it on my desk.

“It’s from the lawyer,” she whispered. Then she just stood there, waiting for me to finish the call. As soon as I hung up she said, “Open it.” She looked even more eager to see what was inside the box than I was. I opened the card first.

Day 3. It’s been a cold winter, Elise. I thought this might help.

—Nick

“So what did Lover Boy send today?” Zoey asked, sounding incredibly jealous. I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t enjoy it.

“Let’s find out,” I said. I untied the ribbon, then lifted the lid. Inside was a piece of light tan cloth. I lifted it out.

“It’s a scarf,” I said. “It’s soft.”

Zoey touched it. “It’s cashmere.” She instinctively went for the label. “Pashmina from Bottega Veneta.” She looked up at me. “You realize that’s like six hundred dollars.”

I tried not to look impressed. “Really?”

“This guy’s made of money. What does he drive?”

“I don’t know.”

“How do you not know?”

“I haven’t been out with him yet.”

“Amazing,” she said, shaking her head as she walked out of my office.

I wore the scarf to lunch. Nicholas was waiting for me near Cafe Rio. He stood, smiling, as I approached. “I see you got it,” he said, looking at the scarf.

“What did I say about spending so much?”

“You told me I didn’t have to, which I already knew.”

“I feel uncomfortable.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know.”

“Then don’t worry about it. I don’t expect reciprocity, so you don’t need to worry about anything. Just enjoy it.” He looked into my eyes. “Or at least let me enjoy it, okay?”

“Okay. Thank you. It’s beautiful.”

“It’s cashmere,” he said.

“I know. Zoey told me. She’s insanely jealous.”

“Is a jealous Zoey a good or bad thing?”

“That depends on who you ask.”