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“The window ledge behind you.” He pointed. “The rabbit’s delicious.”

For a few moments they ate in companionable silence. Lela hadn’t realised how hungry she was.

“What prompted you to become a merchant banker?” He topped up her wine.

Lela settled back against her chair. “Didn’t your research tell you?”

“I did basic research after I accepted the job, plus checked your niece’s social media site to help me recognise you at the airport.”

“That’s all?” she studied his face.

“While I waited at the airport I checked a few more sites, but you don’t have a presence. The professional sites offered limited info. Twenty-eight, merchant banker with one of the veterans of the financial industry—Western National—a few blocks from my Sydney office. You’re a private person.”

“What about after you met me?” Her audacity astonished her.

Indulging such curiosity was alien to Lela, or had been ruthlessly managed in Sydney where she’d stopped accepting dinner dates with men like Hamish. Virile, rugged men with masterful ways. Men with lips perfectly formed for kissing and eyes that sparkled with temptation. Men who walked away when they learned of her commitment to her family and Sophie.

His eyes rested on her mouth now.Are you, like me, imagining what it would be like to share a kiss?

“I have a whole lot of unanswered questions—about who you are, what makes you tick—but I want you to answer my questions. I want to look into your eyes when you answer me.” He tipped his glass in a silent toast to her.

“I don’t know what to say.” She faltered, feeling heat flooding her cheeks while he repeated her words about Sophie back to her.

Chapter Four

Lela glanced at herwatch. Ninety minutes had slipped by. In the company of an attractive man—an attractive man who didn’t have an instant panic attack about her dysfunctional family—she’d forgotten where she was and why she was here. The waitress removed the plates and offered them dessert menus.

“I can recommend the Kannoli Tar-Irkotta. It’s similar to Sicilian cannoli.” Hamish glanced up from the menu.

“With a coffee,” Lela agreed. “Have you actually seen a Carmen Miranda movie?” She welcomed the freedom to tease.

“I told you, Granddad was the fan.” He grinned. “Although it was touch-and-go between her and Audrey Hepburn.”

“Her I do remember. I wanted just a smidgeon of her elegance. Aunty blamed body-contact sport for my lack of grace.”

“What did you play?”