"And now you're here. How long ago was that?"
"Going on two years." His light blue eyes met hers. "I bet you have an even more intriguing story."
"I would hardly call it intriguing." She snorted. "But it's not one I'm willing to share."
"I understand completely." He nodded. "How about coffee tomorrow?"
Her brows lifted. "Are you hitting on me?"
"Why not?" He grinned at her. "You're a beautiful woman and we're both from the same place."
"Which means absolutely nothing. I'm officially off men at the moment."
He looked wounded. "Don't tell me you're batting for the opposite team."
She laughed at that. "I'm one hundred percent heterosexual. Just not interested in starting up anything."
"Then it's a good thing, I just want to meet for coffee." His smile turned pleading. "I'm not proposing marriage yet. Just a chance to get to know you. Coffee, and if afterwards you don't like my conversation, you never have to see me again."
"That would not be good for me." She looked around. "I happen to like this place and if I am turned off by your conversation, I would have to forgo the pleasure of visiting."
"Tell you what," he suggested. "If that happens, just send out an alert to say you're coming to the gallery and I'll make myself scarce."
"You're a funny guy." She smiled. "All right, coffee."
He sighed gustily. "You just saved me from groveling."
"I wouldn't want you to ruin the suit. Looks expensive."
He brushed a hand over the lapel. "It sure is. Why don't we exchange numbers?"
"Why don't we pick the place and meet up there?"
He regarded her steadily before shaking his head. "A cautious lady. I'm trying not to take it personally."
"You shouldn't. Pick the place and the time and I will be there."
"I get it. You want to make certain I'm not a stalker or a nuisance. I come with an excellent reference and I'm certain her highness would vouch for me."
"Nevertheless..." she left the rest of the sentence hanging.
"All right, Antoinette. I may call you that, right?"
"Of course. I will even go as far as insisting on it. And calling you Luther."
He shot her a wry look that had her laughing. She really liked the guy, but like she had said before, she was not looking for anyone. Her heart was still shattered, and her pride had taken a beating. She was here to work on herself and that was it.
"I'll give you a card with the gallery's number as well as my own personal contact information."
"Good enough."
Someone beckoned to him and he realized he was reluctant to leave her.
"Will you promise to stick around a little longer? I'm afraid duty calls."
She nodded, already turning away to check out a group of paintings to her left. "I'll be here."
*****
