“So, what’s good around here?” I ask as we climb into the car. I meant to ask Eli, but he was too busy lecturing me on why this dinner shouldn’t happen. Then Heather chimed in.

I assured them both this was mainly a business dinner, which was partially true. Heather’s narrowed eyes told me she knew that as well. Kristin needs her interview, we clearly didn’t do that last night, and time is expiring on her deadline.

I’m being a nice guy, that’s all. It has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that I still smell her shampoo in my nose, feel her skin against mine, and want to hear her laugh.

Kristin tucks her brown hair behind her ear and tilts her head. “Well, we’re not New York City, that’s for sure, but I love Whiskey Joe’s. It’s low-key, and since it’s off-season, you won’t get hounded.”

There’s nothing more appealing than the idea of privacy with Kristin, but I remember to keep myself in check since this is business. “Sounds great.”

“I haven’t been there in so long, I love the food and it’s right on the beach.”

Her excitement has me wishing we were already there. Dinner and a moonlit stroll on the beach with her might satisfy my need to be around her. I want to know what it is about her that has me twisted inside.

“Why haven’t you gone?”

She turns her head to look at me with a sad smile. “Life.”

I get it more than she knows. Some of my favorite things I’ve quit doing because my days are reading lines, traveling, press bullshit, and personal trainers. The last few months have been the first chance I’ve gotten to take any time to do things I enjoy. “Life can sure get in the way.”

“Life can be a bitch.”

I laugh. “Yeah . . . it can.”

She releases a heavy sigh, and I can almost feel the weight on her shoulders. I remember the way my mother would do the same. “Tell me more about your kids,” I prompt.

Kristin instantly perks up and smiles. “Well, Finn is difficult, but he’s my spirit animal. I swear, that kid is so much like me it’s a little scary.”

“Scary? From what I know, you’re pretty awesome.”

“Oh, yeah!” Kristin giggles. “I’m a whole lot of awesome when I’m drunk or passed out. Life goals right there.”

I want to reach over and take her hand because, even in her laughter, I hear the pain. There’s something inside me that wants to comfort her, but I don’t. I have to keep my lines clear. “We all need to relax a little.”

“I clearly need to find a way to balance that.”

I shake my head. “One night of letting go doesn’t make you reckless. So, what does Finn like to do?”

She shrugs and turns herself a little to face me. “Finn is very mechanical. I watch him take things apart and put them back together. He’s definitely a literal kind of person, who thinks directions are meant to be followed. Aubrey is a free spirit. That girl is going to be big trouble when she’s older.”

As she speaks, I think about the fact that I have none of these things. Money, fame, and nice things aren’t fulfilling. Once upon a time, I wanted a life like hers. Kids and a family were the only things on my mind, but that evaporated quickly. If only things hadn’t happened the way they did that night.

My heart begins to pound so hard in my chest I swear I could bruise. It’s been so long since I’ve allowed myself a moment to think about her.

Think about all the plans we had and how they were torn away.

“Noah?” Kristin touches my arm. “Are you all right?”

“Sorry,” I say quickly. “You were telling me about Aubrey?” I think that’s her name.

Kristin’s hand drops, and I feel the loss. Fuck. What is it with this girl? It can’t just be that she’s gorgeous. I’ve seen plenty of hot chicks and have been fine. If I could place it, I could figure out how to deal with it.

“We don’t have to talk about my kids,” she offers.

“I’m not complaining. If you’d rather talk about something else . . .”

“I don’t want to bore you.”

The thing is, I never get to do this anymore. Normal conversations don’t exist in my world. People are either asking me a million questions or trying to get something from me. “I have a feeling I’ll do a lot of talking about myself once we get our date going.”

“Working. Dinner.” Kristin glances at me with the mom look.

“Sure. Our working dinner.” My voice is patronizing. “How about you tell me about Heather and your friends? Eli’s stories are . . . entertaining.”

Kristin bursts out with laughter. “Oh, I can only imagine! My friends are definitely interesting.”

She fills me in on how they met in high school and the way they’ve kept their friendship intact through the years. It’s insane to me that they’ve been able to keep in touch the way they have. My best friend from high school only hits me up when he wants cash.

“You’re closest with Heather, though?” I question because their dynamic baffles me.

“Umm.” She bites her thumbnail. “I don’t know how to answer that. We’re all close in different ways. Heather and Nicole are really close and Danielle has been my person mostly. Since my separation, it’s weird . . .”

“Why?”

Why the fuck do I care so damn much?

“Danielle and her husband have been having issues for a while. If I had to guess, it scares her that Scott and I couldn’t find a way. Then her husband and my . . . well, ex-husband-to-be are close friends. It’s put a strain on our friendship a little.”

Scott. Even his name is stupid. He’s clearly a fucking moron for letting her go or saying she was anything but beautiful. I shouldn’t ask her, but I’m dying to know. “Why did you guys . . . end things?”

Kristin’s eyes fill with sadness, and I hate that I put it there.

Heather kept calling him Asshole as if it were his name, just Asshole. I’m assuming he’s a fucking tool, and I’m waiting for confirmation.

“Our working dinner is taking a turn . . .”

I smile. “I’m just wondering why, if you’re the best lay of some guy’s lifetime, your husband could walk away. You know sex is key to a healthy relationship. I figure either you’re lying about the good in bed part or your ex is the issue.”

Kristin covers her face with her hand. “It had nothing to do with that, and I’d totally be fine with you forgetting everything I’ve ever said since we met.”

“Doubtful.”

There’s nothing about last night I’m likely to forget.

She shifts in her seat. “You know, I’ve always wondered why someone hasn’t invented a magic pill that can make you forget things you don’t want to remember? Or give you the ability to eat any food you want and not gain weight. With all the smart people in the world, how has this not happened?”

I glance over at her and laugh. “I have no idea.”

“These are real-life issues. Oh!” Her voice shifts to excitement. “I love this song!”

Kristin turns up the radio and starts to hum softly. For a moment, it’s as if she forgets I’m here and belts out the lyrics. I’m stopped at the red light, and I can’t keep my eyes off her. She looks free, happy, and lost in the song. She sings louder and bobs her head.

The one thing Heather kept repeating is how broken Kristin is. I’ve yet to see that in her. All I see is someone who makes my heart race. I watch her letting go to the music, hoping the light never changes. I could stare at her like this all night. The song hits the chorus and as the note escapes, her eyes fly open, and she covers her mouth.

“You have a beautiful voice,” I say, wanting her to keep going.

She scoffs and then laughs at herself. “I’m such a dork. I can’t even.”

“You’re adorable.” I go for honesty because I doubt she’ll believe it anyway.

The light changes and I can’t see her reaction, but the sound of her groan causes me to grin. I like that I keep her slightly off-kilter.

“Why do I continue to embarrass myself with you? It’s like I forget to be normal.”

I pull into the parking lot of the restaurant, if I can call it that, and place my hand on her leg. “I like that you feel comfortable enough around me to sing. Not many people are that secure. They act like they think I want them to be.”

Kristin’s blue eyes meet mine. “I’m not usually like this,” she admits. “I’m the uptight one out of my friends.”

“Don’t be anyone else but who you are, Kristin. There’s nothing sexier than a woman who’s confident. Trust me.”

She clears her throat, and I watch the walls go up. “Ready to eat?”

I’ll let her win this one, but the game is far from over. “Sure.”