Marilyn stirred her drink and glanced at Luke with mild curiosity.

“Dexie said she was meeting someone important and left in a hurry,” she remarked casually.

Her eyes lingered on Luke, sharp beneath her playful tone.

“Besides…” she added, “…there’s someone here she doesn’t want to bump into.

I bet even if she stayed, she wouldn’t have the appetite for it.”

Luke’s fingers tightened around his glass.

Her words stabbed at him, but he remained silent, his face ...