The steward nodded regally. “Consider it done.” He placed two glasses of cold orange juice between them and disappeared into the galley with his silver tray. He was back a moment later with two generous servings of warmed mixed nuts and a saucer with two warmed chocolate chip cookies on it. “Enjoy,” he said before straightening and moving on to greet the other passengers in first class.

“Well played, Mr. Talford,” Sarah said as she dug hungrily into the salty warm nuts. She was happy to see that there were no peanuts, just plump cashews, perfectly roasted almonds, pecans, and only one oily Brazil nut, which she ate around.

Mick tried unsuccessfully to suppress a smile. “I aim to please, Ms. Rainsford,” he drawled. His gruff baritone caused a warmth to surge low in her abdomen and a plump wanting feeling in her breasts.

“Thanks for arranging a cat sitter for Charlie as well.”

He patted her hand. “Don’t worry.” The man had an uncanny ability to read her mind. “Harmony is always rescuing some stray or another. She’ll get the key to my place from Pete and will swing by after work to pick up your furry monster.”

*   *   *

Harmony was wending her ancient Toyota Corolla up Mulholland Drive. She squinted through her windshield, trying to read house numbers. The approaching headlights were making it difficult to see past the streaks on the glass. She had planned on purchasing some window-washing fluid that morning when she’d gassed up, but by the time she remembered, she’d already cashed out and was running late. “Eleven forty-eight . . . Eleven fifty . . .” Harmony’s cell phone service was spotty in the canyon, so she wasn’t able to rely on Google Maps for navigation. This was not how she’d planned to spend her evening. To say she was not pleased was an understatement. She’d had to cancel a Tinder date with a guy named Scott. Had seemed promising. Super cute. Nice body, good haircut. At least that’s how he looked in his photos. His Facebook page was full of photos of colleagues from the investment firm he worked at, and family and friends. But now that possibility was blown to hell. When she’d called to see if he would mind rescheduling for another night, he’d gotten pissed, accused her of blowing him off. Started to lecture her on “manners” and “etiquette.” She’d hung up. The guy was a pompous dickhead, but still.