Page 64 of Old Flames

“Too bad,” she said with a pout. “That’s the book I’d like to read.”

“So would I,” he admitted.

“May I be real with you for a second?”

Leo made a face. “Must you?”

She barreled on. “Obviously, I don’t know Jules on a personal level. Our paths hadn’t crossed before this. She’s famously reclusive and only agrees to a handful of commitments. I thought she was going to turn us down and was shocked when she RSVP’d right away. All this to say, I don’t know the girl, but I do know when a girl is in love. It was so obvious she’s into you. I know you’re into her. And you seem to get along. You two were always sneaking off together. I’ve done my job as Cupid and gave you the ideal setting for seduction. What more do you need, Leo? Directions to her vagina?”

“Sorry if I let you down.”

“Do better!” she retorted and picked up the happy hour menu. “Want to order fries?”

Off-duty Daphne was feisty. She wore faded jeans, a heap more jewelry, and a bit of gloss to highlight her rosy-brown lips.

They ordered fries.

“Seriously, what went wrong?” she asked. “I was so hopeful.”

Leo reached for the same tired excuse. “It’s more complicated than that.”

July had rejected him not only here in Key West but also the night they first met in Manhattan. She walked away, closed the door, and didn’t look back. She didn’t want him, then or now. No . . . A part of him wasn’t willing to accept that. July wanted him. The hunger was there. Their magnetic pull was undeniable, but there was nothing he could do about it if she didn’t want it, or at least as much as he did. If she could walk away, deny it, she was a stronger person than he was.

Daphne shook her head, one of her long braids fell across her face. “Learn from my mistakes,” she said. “Time is a limited currency. Don’t waste it.”

“How about you?” he asked. “Are you ready for something new?”

“Never.” Daphne gazed at the ring on her finger. “Felix was my one love. There won’t be another.”

“Perhaps the ring is a sign Felix wants you to move on,” he said gently.

“With all due respect to Felix, he doesn’t get to call the shots.”

“That’s fair, but what about kids? A family?”

“Those dreams died the night of the accident.”

“Won’t you feel lonely?” he asked.

“Loneliness doesn’t kill,” she said. “And work keeps me busy.”

That was the official motto of the week.

“Back to your book,” Daphne said. “What’s the big idea?”

“Key West and the Great Fire.”

“That’s fire!” she cried. “It’s time that Key West inspired a new generation of greats. If you’re serious about it, you should reconnect with Dr. Flores. He’s the subject matter expert.”

“What do you mean if I’m serious?” he asked, offended. “I’m here for the week to do the research. I have a call with my editor in the morning. This is happening, babe.”

“Then my job is done!” she declared with a flourish of a paper napkin.

The food arrived: fries and fried calamari. Daphne reached for the hot sauce. “This is nice. I’m glad we decided to hang out today.”

“Me, too.”

“I’d love to have you over for dinner at the restaurant one night.”