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Since when had I become a fading flower, uncomfortable asking the hard questions? Straightening up, I channeled my inner HR boss and asked him directly.

“Is it a date?”

His expression darkened, and my stomach sank. So, not a date. At least I could set my expectations accordingly.

“Jurors aren’t supposed to talk about the case or date,” he responded gruffly. Something about his sour expression soothed my ego. He watched me steadily. “But I figure if we just happened to meet in a public place and talked about anything other than the trial, we’d be okay. Saturday? Say noon?”

A thrill shot through me at his words. Definitely a date. No matter what he wanted to call it. I let my smile reach my eyes as I nodded.

Unable to resist a parting salvo, I gave him my cheekiest grin. “I look forward to seeing all your wares.”

His bark of laughter kept me warm as I got in my car and pulled away. I sank into the scarf, enjoying the soft fibers tickling my chin. Ty’s nimble fingers had made it. For me.

***

Tamra, Melena, and I had agreed to grab dinner together before our dance workshop. They’d already picked out a table at a small Thai restaurant, and I joined them, unwinding my scarf and placing it over my jacket and hat at my seat.

“Cute scarf. Is it new?”

Melena’s innocent question sparked a warm glow in me. I couldn’t help the small smile that crept over my features.

“Ty made it for me.”

“Ty, huh? You consorting with the enemy now?”

Tamra’s teasing question pricked at my playful side.

“Define consorting.”

“Like you’re up to your asterisk in lust. Letting him tickle your fancy,” Melena offered.

“Where thatfancy asteriskis your vagina,” Tamra added helpfully.

Melena’s peal of laughter had the other diners turning toward our table with gentle smiles.

“So, you and Ty, huh? Does Jimmy know?” Tamra asked.

Low blow. I shifted a quick glance to Melena, who’d borne the brunt of my own romantic meddling and disapproval. If she wanted payback, dropping any hints that Ty and I were dating to Jimmy would be perfect. Her innocent expression didn’t reassure me. Then again, she had brothers, maybe she’d understand.

“It’s none of Jimmy’s business.”

Melena’s giggle had me narrowing my eyes.

“Right. His only sister and one of his oldest friends. He’s going to have opinions.”

I shrugged, pretending a cool I didn’t feel. “It’s just a friendly meetup. I’m not even sure he’s into me.”

Tamra radiated skepticism as she glanced from the soft yellow cap to the warm scarf folded on the chair back.

“Sure. Because friendly men knit me items of clothingall the time.”

I ignored Tamra’s sarcastic remark and held Melena’s gaze with my own. “You won’t tell Jimmy, will you?”

“He’s my husband, I don’t keep secrets from him.”

Her soft censure simultaneously reassured and annoyed me. Melena didn’t owe me anything. She was Jimmy’s wife. And I didn’t want her keeping secrets from him … except mine. If I had to guard my tongue too tightly around her, I’d never be able to relax and truly trust her. But it was good to know Jimmy could.

“But I don’t have to bring it up if he doesn’t ask,” she relented. “A friendly meetup isn’t exactly breaking news.”