“So hot! Maybe the most incredible specimen on the planet,” Nadia sighed again. “Easily six-six, all dark and broody, with an exotic accent I haven’t been able to place. He dresses impeccably, too. Rebel vibe but with a heart of gold.”
“Someone has it bad,” Katie teased.
“I really do.”
“Then why so glum? Is he married or something?”
“Not that I know of. I’ve only seen him twice.”
“And the question hasn’t come up?” Katie’s voice climbed two octaves.
Nadia winced. She hesitated a beat, worried about further recriminations. When none came, she said, “We’re having dinner tomorrow night. I swear I’ll ask then.”
“You’d better. There’s nothing worse than falling for a married man.”
Katie spoke from experience. In one dating disaster, she’d tumbled headlong in love, only to find out the guy was already committed and had played her. Now she didn’t accept a date without a thorough background search.
The CIA had nothing on her.
Having witnessed her distress and heartache, Nadia was in no hurry to have the same thing happen. “I swear I will, Katie.”
“What’s wrong with him? Something is bothering you.”
“It’s scary how perceptive you are,” Nadia replied dryly.
“So what is it?”
She confessed her bothersome thoughts. “Is it possible for someone to be too perfect?”
Katie’s pregnant pause was telling. She wouldn’t lie, but neither would she purposely hurt another’s feelings. The restraint was as annoying as it was admirable when full honesty was preferred.
“This sounds crazy, but I worry he can read my mind,” Nadia mumbled, shooting a glance at the cabbie to make sure he wasn’t listening to her conversation.
Laughter trilled across their connection. “That’s absurd. No one can read your mind. He’s probably really good at dissecting people in general, and you’re an open book on any given day.”
“Hold on a sec. Let me pay the driver.”
After she was done, she went straight to her hotel room and relayed a minute-by-minute playback of their encounters.
“What do you think?” she demanded.
“Okay, it is weird,” Katie admitted. “You’ve got me wondering if he really can read your mind.”
“Right? I fear I could fall for this guy. I’m halfway there already, and we’ve only just met.”
“I’m looking him up as we speak.”
The distinct sound of keyboard taps came across the line. “He’s not married based on what I’ve found—Oh!”
Shit.
“What did you find?” Nadia raced for her laptop and whipped it open. “What’s the website? Send me a link.”
Image after image appeared of Luc with multitudes of gorgeous women at various society functions. With each scroll, her heart sank, and her depression grew.
“Oh.”
“You’re every bit as beautiful, girlfriend,” Katie said. “Don’t torture yourself.”
