get coffee?”

“Oh.” Oh, as in, Oh, you'd really rather be on Mars than here with me. That oh. “Sure.” He motioned at Ray. “Ray? Two coffees.”

Ray arrived in a few seconds with a pair of green-rimmed mugs and a coffee

pot. “Sure you don't want a tenderloin? Burger? Special is roast beef sandwich.”

“No thanks. We're good.” Peter said.

After Ray poured, then left, Kate took a sip, still silent.

“So, you're…” He glanced at her ring finger. “You're here for only a couple

days?”

She nodded. “I've got my first meeting with Mr. Wells tomorrow.”

“Which one? John Wells or his jet-setting grandson?”

“I didn't know there was a jet-setting grandson.”

Peter nodded. “Corey Steele.”

Her brow furrowed. “Sounds like a superhero's secret identity. From Golden

Grove?”

Peter shook his head. “He grew up in Chicago, I think. He's John's daughter's

son. He's head of their international group now. Causes a stir whenever he's in town. Rich. Good looking. Last year, they tried to recruit him for one of those fancy bachelor shows.”

She rolled her eyes. “Great. Just what I need. A pampered jetsetter sticking

in his two cents.”

Good. Correct response. “Actually, I hear he's a pretty nice guy, considering.

He's probably out of town, anyway. I think he spends most of his time overseas.”

“I'm more interested in Mr. Wells. John,” she said. “I'll need to get a lot of the back story of Nitrovex from him.” She paused. “It's my first big test, this job.

Truth is, I'm actually a little nervous.”

“I'm sure you'll do fine.” Peter wrapped his fingers around his own cup. “It

all sounds very exciting, like you've found your niche in Chicago.”

Man, her hair was pretty. A weaving of red and gold. Gold. Yes. Gold.

Periodic symbol, Au. Atomic number, 79. Relative atomic mass, 196.96—

“Okay, ready for a pie shake?” It was Ray, next to the table, towel in hand.

Kate's face told the story.

“Ray, I think we're ready for the check,” Peter said.

“Sure, you got it,” Ray said and ambled away.

“Let me pick up the check,” Kate said. “I have an expense account.”

“Nope. You're the guest. Besides, I have a tab here.” The joke fell flat.

She nodded, not quite smiling.

The silence was deadly. Twelve years of deadly.

She checked her watch as if it had bitten her. “Look, sorry to run—”

He began sliding out of the booth, thankful for the escape himself. “No, no,

I'm sure you've got a lot of things to take care of.”

They were both standing now, face to face, wordless. A glass clinked in the

kitchen.

“Thanks for the coffee,” she said.

“You're welcome. Good luck tomorrow.” He stuck out his hand instinctively.

She took it, her fingers warm, soft, electric for a moment before he released them.

Her face dropped, then rose. “Good to see you again, Peter.”

He nodded. “You too.”

He was still standing, still staring forward, hearing the ding of the door as she pushed through.

He suddenly wondered if this was the last time he'd see her. He had a feeling

like something delicate and precious had just dropped from his hands and smashed on the concrete, and it was gone forever.

Ray came up, wiping a glass with a towel. “Nice girl. Date?” he asked.

Peter paused. “No. Just an old friend.”

Chapter Five