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care of that.”
    “His loss, then.”
    “What?” Kim couldn’t stop watching Adam and his blonde. He held her hand across the table and looked so comfortable doing it. He’d never held her hand like that, never cuddled or kissed her unless it was part of foreplay.
    A wave of sadness passed over her. She wanted somebody to look at her that way. Someone who’d reach for her hand in public, without embarrassment, not caring who watched.
    “God,” she murmured. “She’s so pretty .”
    Kim’s heart sagged like a beach ball leaking air.
    She could never compete with that. “I wonder what they’re saying.”
    “Too bad you can’t read lips,” Charlie clipped out. She cut her eyes at him. His mouth flattened in a grim line. He was mad?
    “Kim. You’re supposed to be having dinner with me . But if you’re more interested in your ex-whatever-he-was, I’ll be happy to leave you alone with him. Or should I say them . I certainly wouldn’t want to get in the way of your little spy routine.”
    “I’m not spying,” she said, her face hot.
    “I don’t like talking to a pair of sunglasses.
    Would you kindly take those silly things off so I can see your face?” Even through her darkened lenses, she recognized a man making a supreme effort to hold on to his temper.
    “Fine.” She removed the glasses and set them on the table.
    He was silent for a long uncomfortable moment.
    “Would you like me to leave?”
    “No. Of course not. Look, I’m sorry.”
    He relaxed a bit at her apology. “I’m sorry, too.
    It’s an awkward situation.”
    She snorted. “For sure.”
    “If you want, we can ask for the souvlaki to go and eat at my place.”
    His place . Flames licked over her at the thought of what else they could do at his place. Then she frowned. If they left now, she’d be running away.
    She and Adam were bound to run into each other in public sometimes. Was she going to crawl away every time that happened?
    Hell. To. The. No.
    Adam hadn’t noticed her yet. Maybe he wouldn’t, as caught up as he was with his girl. But if he did , by God he’d see her having fun, enjoying her life. Not mooning over him.
    “No. Let’s stay.”
    Charlie nodded. The waitress brought their appetizer and they chatted while they ate, although Kim kept up her end of the conversation on autopilot. As much as she wanted to give her date her full attention, her mind kept wandering to the couple across the street.
    And she didn’t fool Charlie one bit. As he offered her the last piece of the appetizer, he said, “They’re gone.”
    For a minute, she thought he meant the calamari. Then her head swiveled to scan the tables in front of Hanover’s. That table was empty.
    “They left a while ago,” he told her.
    “That was fast.”
    “Yeah.”
    “Didn’t even stay for the main course,” Kim said.
    “Guess they had something more interesting in mind.”
    “Guess so.” Charlie gazed at her, his eyes soft with sympathy. But she didn’t need sympathy. She wasn’t sad, really. Or mad. Just kind of numb.
    “How long ago did he break it off?” he asked.
    She sighed. “Two days.”
    His eyebrows lifted briefly. “Oh.” He gave that some thought. “Guess that makes me Rebound Guy, huh?”
    Kim didn’t answer. She had no idea what to say.
    “That’s all right.” Something hard glinted in his eyes. “I’m not scared.”
    She smiled. “That’s right. You don’t scare easy.
     

     
    You teach Middle School.”
    “Damn straight.” The waitress brought their dinners and they dug in hungrily. There was little conversation as they ate. Their earlier sparring had sharpened their appetites.
    Charlie wiped his mouth when he finished his plate and laid the napkin on the table. “It’s my turn now.”
    “Turn for what?” Kim asked, her fork poised halfway to her mouth.
    “To issue a challenge.” He smiled, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair.
    Kim scowled. “Oh, yeah?” She popped the forkful of