The one in the lead was tall and well built—that was apparent even in his flight suit. His stride was long and purposeful, and Annika could tell from where she stood that he was completely unaware of his own presence and was singularly focused on his patient. He called for light and began to prepare his patient for helicopter travel. He spoke to the EMT, then he froze.

Annika watched him with curiosity. Working in a bar, she had seen more than one paramedic administer care. But she’d rarely seen one falter at the scene. He had been listening to the EMT as he worked, and suddenly, in the middle of a life-saving situation, he’d stopped. It was only for a second or two, before he gathered himself. But by then it looked like his partner had taken over.

Once they stabilized their patient, the medics packed their stuff and made to leave. The one in charge looked in her direction and stopped. As if he knew her. Annika did not meet his gaze. Men often looked at her, and she found the easiest thing was to not make eye contact. Who had given him permission to look at her like that? Was he looking at her because she was brown? Was that something people noticed all the time? She’d never had these thoughts before today.

No, this man was looking at her like he knew her. Ridiculous. He didn’t know her.

No one really did.

CHAPTER FOUR

DANIEL

DANIEL LEANED ON his bike and closed his eyes against the intermittent flashing of the Phil’s Place sign. He could still see red light pulsing from behind his eyelids. She was in there. He should go in. He wanted to go in. Last night, he’d stood in this spot for an hour, then gone home. There was alcohol in there. And while he and alcohol were not enemies, they certainly were not friends.

He caught his reflection in one of the windows to Phil’s Place and quickly looked away. Large windows gave him a view of the older man with salt-and-pepper hair standing behind the bar. The red neon Phil’s Place sign obstructed his view of anything more.

He didn’t even want a drink. But Annika Mehta was in there.

Jesus Christ. He didn’t know what disgusted him more: his fear of a drink or his fear of facing a woman.

What the fuck was wrong with him? Before he could think too much more about it, he grabbed the wrought-iron door handle and pulled. A couple of scantily clad young girls followed by a couple of very drunk young men nearly fell on him as he opened the door. Much giggling ensued as Daniel pushed past them.