LITMIR.BIZ

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his wife, but that was all it was, a technicality. A fact that could be easily remedied, would be easily remedied if he’d stop smiling at her for two seconds so she could muster her resolve to not let him back in her life again.

      Feigning a nonchalance she didn’t feel, she shrugged. ‘Same diff.’

      Taking a sip, he sighed his appreciation. ‘You’re splitting hairs. Or should that be coffee beans?’

      Laughing, she sipped her doppio, savouring the strong, hot rush of caffeine. ‘Fine. I’ll swing by your place. Make this a real equal-opportunity dinner date.’

      ‘Nothing sexier than a chivalrous woman.’

      He winked and her heart turned over, beating a hundred miles a minute as she sent him a tremulous smile which hopefully covered the fact she was a quivering mess of nerves inside.

      He thought she was sexy.

      He was flirting with her in a light, non-pressured, appealing kind of way.

      He was throwing everything at her defences, weakening her determination to hold him at bay with every seductive smile, with every twinkle in his gorgeous grey eyes.

      It would be so easy to give in, so tempting to see how good they could be together now they were older, wiser, more mature.

      But was she willing to take the risk? For there was nothing surer than the more time she spent with Blane the more likely it was that she would fall for him all over again, every charming inch.

      Surely she couldn’t tread down the marriage road again? Not when it would involve baring her soul about the one thing she’d buried deep inside, her gut-wrenching sorrow at not being able to have children buried with the yearning for a baby she never knew she’d had until the option had been ripped away from her.

      ‘So now we’ve got that worked out, is it safe to bring up the topic of your project manager?’

      ‘All sorted.’

      She dropped her gaze to her doppio before he could read her desperation. Yet another builder had walked this week, leaving her with a half-finished apartment and a permit that ran out shortly.

      But she couldn’t hire him, not when she wanted him out of her life, and once she’d paid her dues with this dinner that was it.

      No more meeting up, no more pseudo-dates, no more sharing coffees and chocolate.

      The thought saddened her more than she could have dreamed possible.

      ‘Really?’

      ‘Uh-huh.’ She nodded vigorously, hoping the builder she’d lined up to meet in the morning would be exactly what she needed, for she couldn’t afford any more delays on the renovations, and having Blane so ready, willing and able to help wasn’t conducive to her getting him out of her life for good.

      ‘Fair enough, but remember the offer still stands. If you need some help, I’m your man.’

      I’m your man.

      He’d certainly been that at one time, for those all-too-short glorious three months when they’d laughed and teased and played as if they were the only romantic couple on the planet, a time when he’d been her fabled knight in shining armour and she would have happily followed him to the ends of the earth, secure in their love.

      A time for long leisurely strolls on sultry summer evenings, hand in hand, idly exchanging hopes and dreams. A time for sharing hot fudge sundaes, play-fighting over who got the cherry on top and kissing the drips of chocolate from each other’s lips.

      A time for newly awakened passion under starry nights, for eager caresses and soft sighs as they explored each other in intimate detail while snuggled under a picnic blanket down by the river.

      But that time had long gone, faded into oblivion along with her dreams for a family, and he wasn’t her man any longer, despite every cell in her body screaming to get reacquainted with her husband.

      Needing to get rid of him before she did something even more stupid than agree to have dinner with him as some silly payback for services rendered, she cast a pointed glance at her watch.

      ‘Thanks, but I’ll be fine. Now, I need to lock up and get some shut-eye. Big day tomorrow.’

      ‘No worries.’

      Downing his iced coffee in a few thirsty gulps, he placed the glass in the sink behind the bar and ran the tap. ‘You said you lived nearby. Want me to walk you there? I’ve heard there’s been some trouble around here lately.’

      Chuckling, she jerked a thumb over her left shoulder. ‘Don’t worry, I’m not walking anywhere. I’m sleeping out the back while my apartment’s being renovated.’

      ‘You’re kidding?’

      He shook his head, his horrified expression sending a warm glow through her. He still cared about her, even if she didn’t want him to.

      ‘There’s no way you’re staying here. A locksmith on a job today said almost every café and restaurant along this strip has been broken into late at night or in the early hours, and he was called out this morning to the sushi place in the next block.’

      ‘Really?’

      She hadn’t heard. Then again, the Niche had been running on one speed—flat out—since she’d opened up around eight. ‘Did they take much?’

      Stepping closer, he laid a hand on her upper arm, his touch sending slivers of searing heat crackling through her.

      ‘They didn’t only rob the place. They knifed one of the kitchen hands who’d come in early to do some prep.’

      ‘Oh, no!’ Her hand flew to her mouth, her stomach roiling in shock at such a horrific, violent act happening so close to home. ‘Was he okay?’

      ‘It was a woman. Which is why you’re not staying here on your own, no matter what you say.’

      Shrugging off his hand, she squared her shoulders. ‘Look, I’ll be fine. I’m used to taking care of myself. And, besides, I have an alarm.’

      His lips set in a thin, stubborn line. ‘You don’t think they had an alarm at the sushi place? Or all the other places along this precinct?’

      He ran a hand through his hair, his jaw set, his exasperation palpable.

      ‘These guys slashed that poor girl even after she’d handed over the takings; it’s pretty obvious they’re brazen, hardened criminals who don’t give a damn about who they hurt or how badly. So there’s no way you’re staying here alone. Haven’t you got someone you can stay with?’

      ‘Do you think I’d be sleeping on a dodgy fold-out camp bed in the storeroom if I did?’

      The sarcastic response popped out before she could think, and she mentally clamped a hand over her big mouth. Great, now he’d think she was a loser with no friends, when the truth of the matter was…well…apart from Anna, who rented a single room in a boarding house, she wasn’t close to anyone.

      She’d liked it that way, had fostered her independence deliberately when she’d first come to Melbourne, eager to obliterate her painful memories of Blane and her traitorous parents and the baby that would never be by burying herself in making the Niche the best darn café this city had ever seen.

      She’d learned it was easier not to rely on people, for they always let you down no matter how close or how much you loved them.

      ‘Well, then, there’s only one thing for it.’

      She didn’t like the intent in his eyes, his rigid expression. ‘You’ll have to stay with me.’

      ‘No way!’

      The corners of his mouth twitched. ‘Would you like some more time to think about your answer?’

      Shaking her head, she backed away from him. Silly, really, as if physical distance

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