Page 248 of A Matter of Time

“I know what I said. I’m telling you now, if you change your mind…please inform me. I would love to hear if you do.”

“You sure?”

“Absolutely.”

“Okay.”

Long exhale of breath from him. “Good. Now, when will you eat with me?”

“When do you want me?”

“Tonight. I have a new chef who makes a wonderful risotto.”

“No, I ate already. How ’bout tomorrow?”

“How about now?” He chuckled. “I’ll eat, and you can tell me all about Dane’s wedding. I’ll meet you at Serenade instead.”

“That’s a cocktail bar, Sutter. What’re you gonna eat?”

“Are you kidding? They make great steaks there, J. Don’t worry, I’ll eat.”

I let out a quick breath. “Okay.”

“Yes? You’ll meet me?”

“Sure.”

“That’s great. I thought I’d have to fight with you.”

“No, I’m all argued out.”

“Why? What happened?”

“Do you remember me telling you about the police detective I was involved with a while back?”

“The one you were in love with? The one who left you?”

I stifled a groan. The one who left me sounded bad. “Yeah, that’s him.”

“Yes, I remember.”

“Well, he’s back, and I saw him tonight and⁠—”

“And he wants you back.”

“Yeah.”

“Of course he does. Makes sense.”

“Does it?” Because to me all of it was illogical.

“Yes. So can you be there in half an hour?”

“Probably sooner. I’m still downtown.”

“Great, I’ll see you in twenty minutes.”

“Yep,” I said and hung up my phone. I was surprised when it rang again. “Hello?”