My hand slaps against his mouth, shutting him up. His warm breath coats my palm with his laughter.

“You finished now?” I grumble.

His eyes are green with flecks of blue, and they’re amused. I’m either going to slap him or straddle him, but the jury is still out.

I peel my hand away, and a smile fills his face.

“Did you tell her I was there?” His eyes flash to Eve before he leans back into the seat, completely nonchalant and in charge.

“No. I didn’t mention that,” I reply, shrugging. “I told her not to tell him”—my eyes quickly flicker to the couple—“what happened to me either. I need to feel like myself right now and don’t want pity or questions.”

“Good. Let’s keep it quiet, yeah? Don’t need anyone meddling in my business either.” His voice comes out slightly hurried.

I tilt my head, confused. What does he have to hide?

I didn’t mention anything to Eve because Slade’s part in the story was almost too much to discuss. For one thing, Eve doesn’t know we had sex at her wedding. It didn’t feel necessary to tell her, considering the fact that he never even called me afterward. And his role in the shooting just hasn’t come up. At least, not yet.

Vincent leans forward. “You should help Eve at the Center. You can probably get a lot done for these families. She’s always chirping in my ear about how you do more than most attorneys she knows.”

I try to ignore the fact that he’s barely said two words to me since he sat down. Vincent isn’t warm. As I learned at his wedding, he isn’t even nice. He’s all serious, all the time. Unless, of course, he’s with Eve, who he’d kill for.

“Let’s start again, Vincent.” Slade shifts his heavy body, elbows leaning on the table. “Hey, Lauren. Good to see you again. Have you thought about possibly staying longer and working with Eve at the Center?” He opens his hands. “See, it’s easy.”

My mouth drops in happy surprise. I can’t even remember the last time someone stood up for me. My life in LA is an animal farm; everyone eats who they must to climb socially.

“What are you? The manners police?” Everyone laughs, and Vincent turns to me, his demeanor noticeably softer. “Hello, Lauren. So great to see you again. Love your earrings, by the way. Tiffany?”

“Ha!” I laugh out loud. The smile on my face wouldn’t wane even if I tried.

The man behind the rough exterior is the man Eve loves. My heart lurches with want. Not for Vincent, of course, but for what they have. I want someone to love, who will love me in return.

Where is he?

Slade’s thigh shifts against mine, but my head turns down. I continue to smile, trying to cover up the sadness blooming in my chest. I know I’m blessed to have my health. My family is supportive and wonderful. And I have one good friend, Eve, which is more than a lot of women can say. Maybe I’m being too expectant. Maybe God sees that I’ve been given enough, and my limit of his goodwill has been reached.