Alex had regarded the entire scene from the comfort of his chair as he looked on with cool interest. When Topaz turned back to the table and bowed her head, his concern mounted. Instantly, he was on his feet.
“Are you all right?” he whispered, holding her elbow in a light grip.
“I’m all right,” she barely whispered, trying to produce a smile. Tears appeared in its place.
“Damn it,” Alex hissed, watching the water slide down her cheeks. “That foolish bitch,” he muttered.
Topaz curved her hands over his forearm and squeezed. “Would you excuse me?” she asked, walking away before he could say anything.
Alex watched Topaz head in the direction where Wesley and Daphne’s table was located. Judging from the group, it was to be a couple’s night out. Obviously, Daphne had spotted her dinner partners.
Alex clenched his fists, silently ordering himself not to follow. He never lost sight of Topaz as she entered the “lion’s den.” He’d witnessed far too many similar scenes turn into nasty catfights. He saw Topaz touch Daphne Johnson’s shoulder and begin speaking. After a few seconds, Topaz gestured across the room and Alex saw everyone at the table turn to look his way. After a few moments, Topaz was heading back toward him.
“Are you okay?” he asked, taking her arms in a firm hold when she was standing before him.
“I’m fine,” she assured him, smiling when he pressed a brotherly kiss against her temple.
“What happened over there?”
Topaz shrugged and smoothed one hand across her sleek hair. “I just told Daphne that Wesley walked over to speak and I was just introducing him to my date when she walked in. I told her I rarely see anyone I went to college with and I was just excited to see a familiar face.”
Alex shook his head, his disbelief more than apparent. “You’re a brave lady,” he finally complimented.
“Brave, huh?” Topaz replied with a smirk. “Nah, I just have a lot of practice with this stuff.”
“Practice?”
“I have this problem a lot with other women,” she clarified. “I guess that’s why I don’t have any female friends. Truth is, I only have one.”
Though she spoke in a refreshing, airy tone, Alex could detect how much that upset her. Still, he couldn’t tell her that he understood why she had such problems or that she was probably destined to have them for a very long time. He couldn’t tell her that he understood why most women would feel threatened by her. A woman who looked the way she did—who practically radiated sweetness and compassion—could make any man look twice and, perhaps, want to stray.
Thankfully, the appetizers arrived.
“Are you folks ready to order your entrees?”
“Give us a while, man,” Alex instructed when Topaz offered no reply to the waiter’s inquiry. Smiling, he peered over at the platter of appetizers. “Damn, I’ve heard how good these things are,” he said, selecting one of the grilled garlic shrimp puffs.
Topaz retained the smile, but only placed a few morsels on her saucer. She chewed on one of the delectables, but it was obvious that she wasn’t tasting the food. After a moment, Alex leaned back in his chair and watched her.
“Sorry,” Topaz whispered, feeling his eyes on her.
“Wanna talk about it?”
Topaz shook her head at first, then seemed to change her mind. “I just can’t help but think about Simon whenever this happens.”
Alex’s jaw muscle tensed reflexively at the mention of her ex-fiancé. He dismissed his aggravation, though, knowing she needed to talk.
“It was why he broke things off.”
“He broke things off?” Alex parroted, feigning surprise, though he already knew that part of the story.
Topaz was nodding. “He couldn’t handle how uncomfortable other women were when I was around.”
Alex’s aggravation now mingled with anger. “Why was he concerned about other women?” he snapped, without realizing how upset he was becoming.
“He was trying to make a name for himself in his company and ... he was mostly concerned by the way his colleagues’ wives related to me... .”
Alex needed no further explanation. He could tell how deeply hurt she’d been and wished he had Simon Whitley in striking distance.
“Sorry for putting a black cloud over the evening.”
“Hush,” Alex whispered, warding off her words with a wave of his hand. “You ready to get out of here?” he asked, gesturing for the waiter when Topaz graced him with a sweet smile.
“Ready to place your order, sir?”
“I’d like two cups of coffee—cream, sugar—and two slices of chocolate cake with the check,” Alex requested.
Topaz was as surprised by the order as the waiter was. She didn’t question him, however. Alex paid the check when it arrived and helped Topaz from her seat.
“Let’s wait for dessert out front,” he suggested.
“Alex, I’m so sorry about tonight,” Topaz apologized again when they strolled into the deserted lobby. “I never thought our evening would be ruined like this.”
Alex stopped her from walking any farther, his large hands curving around her chiffon-covered arms as he pulled her close. “For the last time, I don’t want you to apologize. There’s no need.”
“We were gonna play pool,” she noted in a tiny voice.
