“Why so sad, pretty lady?”

Tess Newman tensed, not in the least interested in addressing the man who approached her table.  No matter how handsome or tall he might be.  He easily stood several inches above six feet, the expert cut of his jacket accentuating the width of his wide shoulders.  And damned if his eyes didn’t match the color of her favorite gem—sapphire.  He stared down at her, patiently waiting for her response.  She deliberately took a slow sip from her wine glass, setting it carefully on the white linen before giving him her full attention.

“I’m waiting for someone, not that it’s any of your business.”

He didn’t take offense.  On the contrary, he smiled, revealing even, white teeth and a slight dimple in the left corner of his mouth.  “Let me guess.  He’s late.”

“You find that amusing?”

“I find it inexcusable.  A man should never keep a woman waiting, especially one as beautiful as you.”

Tess shot him an annoyed look.  “How long did it take for you to come up with those pearls of wisdom?”

He laughed.  “Invite me to sit down, and I’ll share all my secrets.”

Tess glanced at her watch.  7:48 p.m.  He’d kept her waiting over forty-five minutes.  After he promised to be on time.  So much for promises.  But after two glasses of wine, she decided, what the hell?  She tossed her head back and reined in her irritation.  A useless emotion, especially when the situation had just taken on new possibilities.  With a sweep of her hand, she extended the invitation and bestowed a smile of her own.  “Why not?  It’s Tuesday, and I’m feeling reckless.  Thanks to my husband.”

A guarded look washed over the man’s features.  Still, he sat down in the seat opposite her, motioning for the waiter.  When he returned his attention to her, his guarded look had vanished and, in its place, curiosity had taken over.  “Lovers’ quarrel, I take it.”

He posed it as a statement, and Tess responded in kind.  “Let’s not talk about him, shall we?”

“Whatever you say.  But what happens if he shows up?”