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Because Nathan had already slung his jacket over the one next to it Looking around the table, Molly saw seats were filling rapidly, leaving her little choice Fake it Forcing a s in her world—because it wasn’t any more—she strolled around to plonk down on the chair Nathan was holding out ‘Thanks’

‘You want a coffee?’ he asked, surprise and so across his face

Thoughtlessly putting a hand on his aret it’ She jerked away She never touched a man Showed how safe she felt around Nathan, despite his attitude

He said in his I’oing to check the cha out soon I’ll put our coffee orders in at the sa for so in her expression

Okay, lighten up ‘That’d be great A flat white, thanks’ Her tongue felt far too big for her mouth Just another way he tipped her world off its new axis ‘Are we all putting in for the cha around other tables, ai for the counter, head and shoulders above everyone he passed

Since she’d run away froone out with a man, never let one in her holed facing the world as most people she knew had blamed her for Paul’s arrest He was so charismatic they’d believed him until the truth had co over her, wanting to get back onside She’d struggled not to turn bitter At the ti men had been an impossibility

Until now Looking at Nathan, she thought he’d be protective of those he loved He always stood up for a patient whenever a fas in the departot into danger if he was close by

Downright crazy to believe that without proof Look what happened the last time I trusted a man

Paul hadn’t been kind and gentle with those less fortunate than hi howshe hadn’t seen until it had been too late Hadn’t known to look Paul had been the catch every wo her, she’d gone for hie had been bliss, then the cracks had started appearing She was a lousy hostess, a sinant and it was all over

Molly shook her head Stop right now She was out with a bunch of great people She needed to forget the self-pity and enjoy herself, not turn in on herself and repeat the mistake she’d made with the Roos, the basketball tearet she felt every weekend when she looked up the teaa about letting anyone close for fear of being hurt and got on with enjoying being a part of a great bunch of woht’vea life sooner

So, get cracking and enjoy this

Straightening her spine and breathing deeply, she then fell into another old habit, checking out the latest suits to walk into the café, swinging briefcases and checking their phones But today she wasn’t looking for trouble, instead co theto think about once she was back in her apartment

‘Here you go Coffee’s on the way’ A glass of water appeared before her ‘As is the chane,’ Nathan told Vicki

‘Great’ Molly sat up straighter Today she ne for that, and no one at the table would be any the wiser

Her gaze returned to Nathan, and instantly her heart forgot thattoo hard Crazy He was just another ood looking, and currentlyher aware of hi ti what it would be like to curl up against his chest, be held in those strong ar She wasn’t ready Could she give it a go? Probably not

Nathan handed her a menu ‘Here, take a look Most of us know this off by heart There are soreat choices’

‘Suddenly I’e

Nathan grunted ‘I’ry Could eat a whole sirloin’

She laughed ‘How about tofu and grains?’

His eyes widened He hadn’t thought she’d tease him? Last week she wouldn’t have ‘You can’t pull that one Like I said, I’ve been here before’

‘Okay, so one whole sirloin, and what?’ The whole steak wasn’t on offer, but he could order two helpings ‘Chips or hash browns, as well as eggs and bacon?’

‘Stop right there’ He was s her sto, war ‘Don’t ry’

‘But you’re s she couldn’t smile

‘Don’t trust it’

Sorry, Nathan, but I do believe you Gazing at him, and especially at his se because he needed to eat now, not in ten ain, she felt that rare sense of safety around hi to put oing on around her and enjoy the birthday celebration After she told the hovering waitress she’d like the eggs Benedict, that was