* * *
Nathaniel’s brow was raised, his eyes wide, as he stared at her. The two were seated at Bar Mars, a popular dinner spot that catered to a wealthy crowd of pretty people. Rebecca had insisted he check out his competition, wanting to critique the food and the ambience. After one size-thin woman too many had vied for his attention as if Rebecca weren’t standing by his side, she’d been having second thoughts about them coming there. She took a deep breath and held it, knowing he expected an answer to his question. He repeated himself.
“I’m serious, Bec. I really want to know why you left the way you did. And why you won’t just stay at the house.”
She rolled her eyes skyward. “It really isn’t a big deal, Nate. We both had things to do. You were in the shower and I needed one. It just made sense for me to go back to the hotel where my things were.”
Nathaniel shook his head. “Then you ignore my calls all day. I was starting to think I’d done something to offend you.”
“You know how I am,” Rebecca said. “I just needed some time to myself.”
“I would have thought you’d outgrown those mood swings by now,” he said with a wry grin.
She laughed. “Nope and I’m still prone to throwing tantrums when I can’t have my way. You’ve been warned.”
Nathaniel nodded. “My invitation still stands,” he said. “There is more than enough room at the house for you and your stuff. You don’t need to stay at that hotel.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a single key on a silver key ring, passing it to her.
“What is this?”
“It’s the key to my house. You use it to unlock the doors.”
Rebecca closed her eyes and took another deep breath. When she opened them, the look he was giving her caused a ripple of heat to trail down the length of her spine. She clenched her fists tightly together. “You’re giving me the keys to your house?”
“Why wouldn’t I? It just makes sense that you should be able to come and go as you please.”
“I am not going to just let myself into your home like I live there. Not going to happen!”
“Why are you always so damn stubborn?”
“Me? What about you? Always trying to tell people what to do.”
He grinned. “I just tell you what to do and you never listen to me.”
“I’m still not staying at your house or using a key.”
Nathaniel nodded. “Yes, you will!” And then he reached across the table and dropped the keyring into her purse.
Rebecca was ready with a snarky response when someone suddenly called her name. She and Nathaniel both turned at the same time, gazes shifting toward the deep baritone voice with the familiar Caribbean lilt.
“Rebecca Marks! I thought that was you!”
Rebecca’s eyes widened as she fixated on the man moving swiftly in her direction. She stole the quickest glance toward Nathaniel who was eyeing them both curiously.
“Is that who I think it is?” he muttered under his breath.
Rebecca mumbled back. “Yep! That’s my former fiancé.”
As the man reached their table, Rebecca forced a smile to her face. “Jeffrey Baylor! What a surprise!” she gushed, moving onto the platform heels she’d worn.
Jeffrey swept her into his arms and spun her in a circle. His excitement was palpable, the wealth of it making it seem like it had taken over the room. Those at the tables closest to them turned to stare, smiles widening as the two old friends greeted each other. When the man suddenly kissed her, pressing his mouth tightly to hers, Nathaniel felt himself bristle with indignation, a flagrant wave of jealousy sweeping through him. He was on his feet before he realized it, his stance just aggressive enough to pull at Rebecca’s attention.
She swiped the back of her hand across her full lips, her face tinged a brilliant shade of deep red. “Jeffrey, you remember Nathaniel Stallion, don’t you? He went to school with us,” she said as she took a step back, pulling herself from the man’s clutches.
“How could I forget. It’s good to see you, Stallion.”
“It’s good to see you as well,” Nathaniel said, his tone dry. “What a small world.”
“Not small enough,” Jeffrey quipped with a slight chuckle. He turned his full focus back on Rebecca.
“You are as beautiful as ever, Rebecca! So what are you doing here?”
Rebecca smiled. “Working,” she said, taking another quick glance toward Nathaniel. “Nathaniel is opening a restaurant not too far from here, so we thought we should come check out the competition.”
Jeffrey nodded, a smile pulling at his mouth. “I’m flattered that you see me and my restaurant as competition.”
Rebecca and Nathaniel both looked stunned. “You own this place?” Nathaniel questioned.
“I do. Five years now.”
“So, you did put those culinary skills of yours to good use! We’re very impressed.”
“We’re not that impressed,” Nathaniel muttered under his breath.
Rebecca’s laugh was a nervous titter. She was suddenly hypersensitive, her emotions on serious overload. She inhaled swiftly and held the warm breath deep in her lungs.
As third wheels go, Jeffrey didn’t appear to notice her discomfort and didn’t seem to care much about Nathaniel’s. He gestured for them both to retake their seats and then slid into the booth with them, into the empty space beside Rebecca. He eyed Nathaniel intently.
“So, Stallion, you purchased the restaurant property on Mile Drive. I’d put a bid in on it, but obviously I lost out. Although, I have to say I think you paid way too much for it!”
Nathaniel snorted. “It’s an investment I’ll easily recoup.”
“I’m sure you know the restaurant business isn’t an easy one. But I wish you luck with yours.”
“Nathaniel will do very well. We’re very excited for what his restaurant will bring to the area,” Rebecca interjected, sounding very much like a marketing professional. She and Nathaniel exchanged a look, he eyeing her with a raised brow.
Jeffry dropped a hand to her thigh and she tensed, his touch causing her breath to hitch. She pulled away from his grasp, shifting herself closer to the wall. The man smiled and winked an eye at her. “It’s great that you have such talent working for you,” he said, shifting his gaze back toward Nathaniel. “Now, correct me if I’m wrong, Stallion, but weren’t you planning on a medical career when we were in school?”
“Actually, it’s Dr. Stallion and I’ve had a very successful surgical career since graduation and med school.”
“So
