“Please excuse Joe,” Caleb said, his eyes still on me. “He can be a little on the aggressive side.” He held out his hand. “I’m Caleb Hunt.”

“Whitney Scott.”

“Whitney,” he repeated, as though he was testing the way it felt on his tongue, in a voice that sent chills down my body. His long fingers enveloped mine, his strength something I wished I could borrow every time I needed to lift my patients. “It’s nice to meet you,” he continued, slowly releasing me to introduce himself to the other girls before eventually asking, “Now, what can I get you ladies to drink?”

I showed him my fresh beer. “I’m good for now.”

“Not me,” Emily replied, holding the bottle to her lips, chugging until it was empty. “I’ll have another.”

Rebecca asked for one as well.

Fiona was the last to respond. “Me, too, and I’ll even get you a waitress.” She held up her hand, calling one over to give our order.

“While we ponder your irresistible offer,” Emily said, “tell us everything there is to know about you, Mr. Hunt.”

He laughed, running his hand through his hair, the shade of a dark roast. His smile was spectacular because his lips were so full, his teeth perfect.

“Boston native,” he began, “thirty-three years old, graduated from Tufts, and I work in finance.”

“And single,” Rebecca emphasized.

“That too,” he agreed.

Emily leaned across me and said, “Caleb, what does one need to do in finance to have that much cash in one’s wallet?”

He licked across his lips, a move so casual but he made it look extremely seductive. “I’m a financial advisor.”

“What did I miss?” Joe interrupted, putting his hand on Caleb’s shoulder as he rejoined us.

“Is everything all right with Smith?” Caleb inquired.

Joe nodded. “He was just checking in.” He then glanced at each of us. “So, do we have a deal?”

“I have a better idea,” Emily replied, a grin growing across her face. “My friends and I are only going to be here for a little bit, grabbing some of their tacos and a few beers before we go outside to watch the race. How about we score you guys some seats, and you can join us and foot the bill? My girls can drink but definitely not seventeen hundred dollars’ worth.”

“That’s a hell of a deal,” Caleb said. “I’m in.”

“Hold on, my friend.” Joe’s focus moved from Caleb to Emily. “I’m curious … how are you going to get two extra chairs? I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but this place is standing-room only.”

“We have this little thing called a connection,” Fiona taunted.

Emily smiled at Fiona and then at Joe. “Do we have a deal?”

“We certainly do.”