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“Oooh, Lex! A mysterious admirer,” said Freddie. “Hey, Keegs, does he have a telly in his belly and answer to Tinky-Wink—”

Alex kicked him under the table. “A guy?”

Mark looked blankly at Freddie and shrugged. “I’ve never seen him before. He’s American, has a shaved head?”

Alex rose from the chair and draped her coat over her arm. “Must be from my last tour.”

Mark laid his hand on the small of her back and guided her out of the café. Alex caught her breath. Mark’s hand. There. The hairs on her neck silently stood to attention, craving so much more.

“By the way, I meant to warn you about next week. Isabella’s play sounds totally off-kilter. We might have a ‘rollercoaster situation’, if you know what I mean. You’d better hold me tight—just in case.” Mark’s eyes wouldn’t leave Alex’s face. And his hand…now firmly planted on the curve of her waist.

“Not if I grab you first.” Alex devoured Mark’s gaze as his hand coaxed her closer. Her hip bumped his thigh, but neither pulled away. If only the American demanding her attention would vanish. She hated him already.

They approached the soft benches directly in front of the bookshop. A stocky guy dressed casually in beige cargo pants, a blue plaid shirt, and North Face windbreaker shot to his feet. A St. Louis Cardinals baseball cap dangled from the strap of a black backpack that rested on the seat.

The intoxicating smolder teasing Alex’s body abruptly fizzled.

Devin.

Mark didn’t clue in and reacted like nothing was wrong. “I’ll see you later, okay?”

“Okay. Thanks.” She swallowed, trying to wash away the lump in her throat. She didn’t want Mark to leave her on her own…with him.

Devin swooped in for a hug. Alex stepped back sharply, her jaw snapped tight.

Mark’s eyes narrowed. He slowed his pace towards the Long Bar and doubled back. “Lex, are you—?”

His supervisor intercepted his return, waving a list. “Mark, give me a hand with these cocktails for the Lyttleton reception…”

He half-listened to his boss, nodding while his eyes darted between Alex and Devin.

For Mark’s benefit, Alex’s face softened. She held her hand up and mouthed ‘It’s okay’, releasing him to deal with his boss. When Mark didn’t look back over his shoulder, she glared at her ex with a squint. “What are you doing here? How did you find me?”

He jammed his hands into his pockets, but his vivid blue eyes smiled easily. “Your friend Olivia. Your mom gave me your home number in June, but when I called last week, Olivia said you had moved. She mentioned something about you writing here, so I took my chances. I’m staying nearby at the Travelodge on Waterloo Road.”

Alex crossed her arms and leaned away from him. “I almost didn’t recognize you.”

“The buzz cut?” He ran his hand over the brown stubble on his scalp. “Yeah, I shaved my head. If I’m travelling around Europe for a few months, it’s one less thing to worry about. I was just in Italy.” The skin on his sunburnt nose and cheeks pulled painfully tight each time the corners of his mouth leapt into a grin.

She stared coldly at the floor and noticed his footwear. White running shoes—so American tourist. “Are you here alone?”

Devin nodded. “Can we go somewhere and talk?”

“There’s nothing more to say.”

“I know you’d rather punch me in the face than have a civil conversation. And I deserve that. But…things were left unsaid. Give me five minutes of your time, and then I’ll leave you be. Please?” His eyes pleaded.

She turned back towards Kitchen, catching Freddie on the approach. Alex’s furrowed brow didn’t go unnoticed. “Lex, everything okay?” He placed a hand on her shoulder and stepped protectively into the space beside Devin.

“Freddie, this is Devin. Devin…Freddie.”

Devin extended his hand towards him. “Nice to meet you, man.”

“Quite.” Freddie stood firm, ignoring Devin’s attempt at engagement. The American quickly pulled his hand away and stowed it in his jacket pocket.

“Devin wants to talk. Shouldn’t be long. I’ll meet you back here soon, okay?”

“I’m here if you need me.” Freddie’s eyes didn’t budge from Devin. “Come to the Long Bar when you’re done.” He backed away, giving Alex a slight nod.