A moment later, Curt walked in, dressed in a gray suit with no tie, his white shirt opened at the neck, showing a few strands of hair on his chest, accenting his muscles that lay beneath.

"Curt," I said as I walked around the desk and gave him a quick hug. "What a surprise."

A grin spread across his face, illuminating the dimple on his cheek. "Well, I was in the neighborhood."

I laughed. "What brings you here? To what do I owe the honor?"

His face sobered. ...