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She glowed.
"Sorry," she said."You go first."
"No, I insist."I wanted to keep her talking."Ladies first."
She took a sip from the water glass.A glass of red wine sat largely untouched."I was just going to say that I'm surprised to see you.At the hotel, I mean."
"I'm surprised to see you too.Pleasantly, though."I fought the urge to take her hand, and steepled my fingers together to keep from reaching for her."I work here.I'm actually the manager of guest relations now."
"For the Mirage?"She looked impressed.I didn't want to, but I couldn't help but wonder how it compared to her husband's job.
I nodded.
"That's great," Lexi said and I was treated again to her beautiful smile."I remember that last time I was..."
She didn't finish her sentence but the blush that flooded her face told me that my job wasn't the only thing she was remembering from her last visit.I couldn't fight it any longer; married or not, I reached across the table and took her hand in mine.
"Lexi," I said.It's all I could say.She glanced down at our hands but didn't pull away.When her eyes met mine, I knew for sure that I wasn't the only one who remembered everything about that night.
"I'm waiting for my husband," she whispered but her eyes didn't leave mine.
I nodded but didn't release her.I never thought I'd see her again, let alone touch her.I wasn't going to let go so easy.
"You didn't call," I said."You got the note?"
"I didn't...I couldn't..."
"I've thought about you."
She blinked hard and her eyes glassed over.
"I'm sorry," I said, rushing my words."I shouldn't have said that.I just—"
"No, it's fine.I—"
"What the hell is this?"
Lexi jerked her hand away.I pulled back and looked up.
"Andrew, you're late," Lexi said.
"I see you got a replacement," Andrew said.
So this was the husband?He spoke with the concentration of a man who'd had too much to drink but was trying to hide it.I'd seen it more than once.
"Andrew," she said.
"I was just leaving," I offered and stood.At first glance, he didn't look like the type of man to make a scene, but all bets were off when someone had been drinking.I didn't feel like risking it.
"Oh, don't leave on my account.It looks pretty cozy," Andrew said.
"We're just..."Lexi started and looked to me for help.
"I was actually the guy who helped her plan Nicole's birthday festivities all those years ago," I said without missing a beat."What are the odds we'd recognize each other after all these years?"I added, looking directly into her eyes.
What were the odds indeed?
"Is that right?Fascinating," Andrew said, looking between us.He took a step forward and leaned down, giving Lexi a firm kiss on her lips.When he righted himself, he looked at me and asked, "Was there something else?"
I'd spent enough time in customer service to know when I was dealing with a man who was trying to assert his dominance.I also knew when to make my exit.
"Lexi," I said."It was a pleasure running into you again."I didn't dare shake her hand.I wasn't sure I'd be able to let it go a second time."Enjoy your dinner."
"Thank you, Leo," she said, meeting my gaze.Was that longing in her eyes?Was there still something there?Did she feel it too?
Andrew cleared his throat.
I shook my head, tearing myself away from her."May I recommend the special?Sarah, the head chef, has a phenomenal palate," I said.I forced myself to turn away and walk to the bar where my foam takeaway was waiting.
I took my dinner, nodded to the bartender, and left the restaurant without looking back to eat my dinner in my office, alone.
