“And now I’m acting like a space cadet in front of you. The truth is . . .” She drew in a breath. “I think you’re very handsome. So much so that it’s scrambling my brain. I apologize in advance for any further awkward behavior that is probably forthcoming. Even presently forthcoming.”

Her words surprised him so much that he didn’t move or blink.

Her presence at lunch had been small, and he hadn’t taken much notice of her.

But after that little speech, she had his full attention.

Her skin was a beautiful shade of light brown. The apples of her cheeks were round and defined. Thick lashes surrounded intelligent eyes. The large silver hoops in her ears matched the two silver bracelets she wore next to her smartwatch.

“You . . . think I’m handsome?” he asked.

“Don’t sell yourself short. I believe I said very handsome.”

He chuckled. “Thanks.”

Before he fell for Leah, he used to go out a lot, and not just with women he was into romantically. He could have fun with just about anyone because he liked getting to know people. It was way past time for him to get back out there. “If you want to hang out sometime, then let’s do it.”

“It’s nice of you to offer that, even if the offer was motivated by pity.”

His brows lifted. “Have you looked in the mirror? I don’t think any man has asked you out because of pity.”

“Unfortunately, I can’t accept.”

Again she’d surprised him. “Why?”

“Last spring, I had some really severe complications from the flu. I was almost one of those people they talk about on the news when they mention how many the flu kills annually.”

“I’m sorry.”

“My recovery was slow at first, so I got serious about self-care. Dating is the opposite of self-care for me. My health can’t take any more heartbreaks.”

“I understand.” And he did.

“People who survive serious diseases often talk about how it was ultimately the best thing that happened to them because it shifted their priorities. And it did do some of that for me. But I’m definitely not in a place yet where I can say it was the best thing. It was a long, scary, painful tunnel.”

His respect for her grew. “You’re a survivor.”

“A shaky one.”

“An honest one.” An interesting one. “If you want, we can do something together as friends.”

“I’d love to have a new and very handsome friend.” She turned to the computer, then back to him. “However, if I fling myself at you, you must resist.”

“All right.”

“And you’ll do everything in your power to keep this relationship strictly platonic.”

“Absolutely. Yes.”

“Because we cannot let our time together become date-like.”

“Definitely not.”