“So, who is he?” Danny scooped up a bite of food and then looked at her quizzically. “Someone you loved and lost or someone you never had?”

“What?” It was a struggle not to spit out the bite of spiced chicken she’d just taken. Kay chewed carefully and then took a sip of her water.

“The man you’ve been thinking about this entire time. Who is he?”

Kay started to protest but stopped when Danny propped his head on his fist and smiled at her. “It’s okay. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”

“How did you know?” Kay finally said.

His eyes returned to his own plate. “Like recognizes like. There should be a club for the heartbroken.”

Kay craned her neck slightly until Eli came into view. He still sat at the bar. He’d promised not to listen in unless it was absolutely necessary and she believed him. There was never any doubt in her mind that she could trust him. He would do what he’d said he would.

“The guy you met last time.”

Danny’s eyes lit up with recognition. “Ah. That makes sense. I figured there was way more behind that story.”

Kay stabbed a piece of chicken. “I’m not sure there is a story at all. I just can’t seem to stop hoping for something that will never happen, that’s all. I’m not sure I’d call that a story. Unless it’s a tragedy.”

Danny leaned forward. “Look, I’m not exactly the right person to give out relationship advice, but do you love that guy?”

Her eyes were drawn back to Eli again. As her gaze soaked up his familiar profile, the wide breadth of his shoulders, the intense set of his jaw, she shivered. Was this love? How could she possibly know that? Tim had made her feel special, had seemed to appreciate the things about her that no one else cared about. She’d thought that was love. Look where that had gotten her.

But had she ever felt this strongly for Tim? She couldn’t imagine him throwing himself in harm’s way to protect her. But, without a doubt, she believed that Eli would always put himself between her and danger. Not just because it was his job to protect others, but because he cared about her.

“I’m not sure,” she said finally.

Danny didn’t look convinced. “But the fact that you had to think about it tells me that you probably care about him a lot.”

Kay shrugged. “Yeah, but that doesn’t make it any easier to figure it out.”

He pointed at the breadbasket. “Eat. Trust me, the feelings aren’t going away overnight, so we might as well try to enjoy our lives in the meantime. Even if we’re both thinking of other people, it doesn’t mean we can’t have a good time.”

That was a philosophy that Kay could get behind. She broke off a piece of bread and chewed methodically. She was going to have fun on this date if it killed her.

CHAPTER NINE

ELLIOTT TOOK ANOTHER sip of water and tried not to choke. He’d had Indian food a handful of times before, but he didn’t remember it being quite this spicy. Although, the churning in his gut could just as easily be jealousy as indigestion.

Kay and her date were in the midst of spirited conversation. They seemed to have hit if off if the guy’s wide smile and animated hand gestures were any indication. The sinking feeling in his chest was almost as hard to ignore as the burning sensation on his tongue.

Too bad a cold glass of water wouldn’t help soothe his heart.

A waiter appeared at his elbow. “Excuse me, sir. Are you the owner of a black Yukon?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Is this your license plate?” He held out a piece of paper with a number jotted down in blue ink.

Eli recognized his plate number and grimaced. “Yes it is. Am I parked illegally or something?”

“No, sir. Your lights are on. Another patron noticed it in the parking lot and let us know.”

Eli nodded his thanks. It was incredibly odd because his truck had automatic lights. He rarely turned the lights on manually unless he needed his brights on one of the dark country roads bordering his parents’ property. There hadn’t been any reason to use them on the way here.

Reluctantly, he stood and activated the audio feed. Instantly Kay’s voice was in his ear. He folded his napkin and placed it in his seat. When the waiter moved to leave, he held up his hand. “Actually, could I order another dinner? Something less spicy this time. Can you just do a plain chicken-and-rice deal?”

“Of course, sir. I’m sorry the meal wasn’t to your liking. I’ll bring another right away.”

Eli tried to tune out Kay’s voice, but it was nearly impossible. They were discussing books. Lawyer dude was talking about a literary festival coming up in the springtime. Eli swallowed, trying not to feel bitter. He hadn’t even been able to get through more than a few pages of that book on her coffee table, so he doubted he’d be able to talk with her about anything she’d find interesting. He wasn’t exactly good date material. All he’d be able to do was take her to the gun range and teach her to shoot. Hardly the stuff of romantic fantasy.

In the parking lot, Eli narrowed his eyes as he approached his truck. The lights weren’t on. In fact, there were no lights anywhere in the back section of the lot. When they’d arrived, he’d deliberately parked directly beneath the light. Now that same light was conspicuously dark.

Still, he figured it couldn’t hurt to check and make sure that nothing else was on. The last thing he wanted was to come out here in the next hour to a drained battery. Just before his hand connected with the door handle, Kay’s voice blared though his earpiece.