Paul nudged him in the ribs, then nodded across the courtyard. “Looks like Lacey Perkins is having her fortune told.”

Evan’s gaze snapped around and zeroed in on Lacey, who sat with her back to them at the fortune-teller’s table. “You know her?” he asked, a note of surprise creeping into his voice.

“Hell, yeah. You think I wouldn’t know the owner of the coffee shop nearest my office? I met her last week on my first day here, when she made me the best double shot no-foam latte I’ve ever had. She’s really nice.”

“Nice?” Evan shook his head. “That’s not the word I’d use to describe her.” No, annoying, irritating, aggravating…those words were much more accurate.

“Hmm. Maybe you’re right. Something like sizzling hot is probably better.”

Evan whipped his head around and found himself staring at Paul’s profile. His friend’s attention was riveted across the courtyard on Lacey. A fissure of something that felt exactly like jealousy but couldn’t possibly be snaked through Evan. “Hot? You think?”

“Are you kidding me?” Paul turned and shot him an incredulous look. “You manage this place. Have you never seen her?”

Oh, he’d seen her all right. More times than he cared to remember. “Of course.”

“And you don’t think the woman could set the Pacific Ocean on fire?”

The question caught Evan off guard in a way he neither understood nor liked. “Any attractiveness she might possess is completely cancelled out by the fact that she and her innuendo-laced displays and products are a major pain in my ass.”

“Yeah, well those ‘innuendo-laced products’ are absolutely delicious. I tasted her Sugar Lips crumb cake yesterday and…wow. The things that woman can whip up in the kitchen could make a grown man weep.” Paul grinned. “I’m hoping next week’s cookie is named something like Wild Sweaty Sex in the Backseat. Would love to get me some of that-with her.”

Something cramped Evan’s insides-and apparently his facial muscles as well-because Paul blinked, held up his hands and said, “Whoa, sorry. Didn’t realize I was stepping on your toes.”

“What are you talking about?”

“That laser-beam death stare you just sizzled at me. You never mentioned having a thing for her.”

Evan wiped his face clean of expression, irked to realize he’d been scowling. “No doubt because I don’t.” Really. He didn’t. That steaming heat she inspired? Nothing more than severe annoyance.

“Uh-huh. Then why haven’t you been able to stop staring at her? Not that I blame you-Lacey is certainly something to look at.”

“If I was staring, it’s only because I was trying to figure out what she’s going to do next. She’s always bending the rules.”

“Ah. So she challenges you.”

“No, she annoys me.”

“She’s not the sort of woman you usually go for.”

Evan shook his head and looked skyward. “I’m not ‘going for’ her. In fact, I’d like her to move out of Fairfax when her lease is up. But instead, she’s talking about expanding. Wants me to let her know if the storefront on either side of her comes up for lease.”

Paul studied him for several long seconds, the scrutiny making Evan feel as if he were a germ under a microscope. Then Paul grinned. “Oh, you’ve got it bad, man. And what’s so funny, is that you-Mr. 4.0, MBA, top-of-his-class smart guy-don’t realize it. Gotta say, I’m torn-half of me is glad that you’re finally showing an interest in a woman who’s not the uptight, high-maintenance, boring type you’ve been wasting your time on, but damn, I wish I’d seen Lacey first. She is fine.” His grin flashed wider. “Maybe she has a sister.”

“You’re welcome to her,” Evan said, pissed-and alarmed-that he actually had to force out the words.

“If I thought for even a nanosecond that you meant that, believe me, I’d go for it.”

“And I don’t usually go for uptight, high-maintenance, boring types.” A frown pulled down his eyebrows. Did he?

“Maybe not recently, but only because you’ve been living like a freakin’ monk. Before that? Nearly every woman I’ve seen you with for the past two years has been a carbon copy of the other-and they’ve all been uptight, high-maintenance and boring.”

Was Paul right? Surely not. He’d have to think on that. But later. “Lacey Perkins is certainly a high-maintenance tenant.”

“That doesn’t mean she’s a high-maintenance woman. And she sure as hell doesn’t strike me as uptight or boring. But just a warning-I think you have your work cut out for you. Since I didn’t know you’d already staked a claim, I flirted with her every morning this past week. And while she’s been friendly, that’s all she’s been. She definitely throws out a strong ‘hands off’ vibe. Probably has a boyfriend.”

The profound sense of relief Evan experienced that Lacey hadn’t caught any of the flirtatious balls Paul had tossed her way utterly confused him, as did the cramping at the thought of her having a serious boyfriend. What the hell did he care if she flirted with Paul or anyone else? Who gave a rat’s ass if she had a boyfriend or even a husband? Not him. In fact, he hoped she did have a boyfriend-one on the verge of being transferred to another state, who’d take her with him when he moved.

“C’mon, let’s go get your fortune read,” Paul said. “See if it’s in the cards for you and Lacey to-”

“I assure you it’s not.”

“Okay, then maybe the fortune-teller can tell you if you’re gonna get lucky with anyone anytime soon.”

“Why don’t you have your fortune read and she can tell you if you’re going to get lucky anytime soon?”

“I already know.” Paul gave a wolfish grin. “I have a date tonight with this babe named Melinda, who I met yesterday at the supermarket. We bonded over broccoli.”

“You don’t like broccoli.”

“True. But I really liked the steaming-hot woman who was picking some out, so it was well worth the three bucks I spent on the gross stuff.”

“Seems like you’re with a different woman every week.”

“I am. And you know why? Because I actually go out. To places where women are. Women who want to meet men. It’s called dating. You should try it sometime.”

“I date.” Although admittedly not very much lately. And the last series of dates he’d gone on? All empty evenings spent with women he’d found physically attractive, but who had proven ultimately uninteresting-usually after less than two hours in their company.

“Don’t you ever get…” Evan hesitated, not sure how to express the perplexing discontent he’d been feeling the past few months “…tired? Of going to clubs? Of awkward first dates? Of trying to find a woman you can actually talk to?”

“Talk to?” Paul shook his head. “You sound more like ninety-two than thirty-two. I knew you’d buried yourself in your work lately, but I hadn’t realized the situation was this dire. When’s the last time you got laid?”

Too long ago. Yet even the last two times, which had satisfied him physically, had still felt somehow…empty. In a way he didn’t understand himself, and definitely had no intention of trying to explain to Paul. “I’m not having this conversation.”

A flicker of concern flashed in Paul’s eyes. “Ever since you and Heather split up you’ve turned into a work-obsessed maniac. It’s been six months-time for you to come out of mourning over a relationship with a woman who was all wrong for you.”

“I’m not in mourning. I’m just busy. Overseeing the Fairfax renovations has taken an enormous amount of time.”

“No guy is too busy to get laid.”

“Who says I haven’t gotten laid?”

“Have you?”

“Of course.”

Paul’s eyes narrowed. “Since you and Heather broke up?”

“Yes.”

“Well, that’s a relief. How many times?”

Evan blew out an impatient sigh. He considered lying, just to end this conversation, but he was a lousy liar, and Paul knew it. “Twice.”

“Twice? In the past six months? Holy crap, your dick is gonna fall off.” Paul shot him a look Evan was sure had swayed more than one opposing counsel to agree to his terms. “The renovations are finished and it’s time you started living again.”

“I never stopped.”

“You certainly stopped having fun.” He hesitated, then added quietly, “Heather’s moved on, Evan. You need to as well.”

Evan dragged his hands down his face then drew a deep breath. “Look, I appreciate the concern, but this isn’t a case of me not moving on. Believe me, my heart’s not broken.”

“She cheated on you.”

“Which pissed me off. But it didn’t break my heart. The job’s just kept me crazy busy and, frankly, I haven’t met a woman recently who’s interested me enough to make more than a token effort. But as soon as I meet one-and now that I finally have more time I’m sure I will-believe me, I’ll go for it.”

And he meant every word. He supposed that his ego should have been bruised by Heather’s betrayal, but in truth, after the initial shock of anger, he’d been more relieved than anything else. Heather had been one of those women who in theory should have been perfect for him. She came from a good family, had attended all the right schools, was successful in her management position with Neiman Marcus, and very attractive. They hailed from similar backgrounds, had a lot in common, and the sex had been good. In reality, however, they’d crashed and burned. All Heather’s outward perfection and fabulous credentials had just cleverly hidden an inner character lacking in honesty and integrity.

“Well, glad to hear you’re ready to jump back into the dating waters,” Paul said. “And the timing’s perfect. Since today is Valentine’s Day-aka the biggest get-lucky occasion of the year-we’re going to make certain you don’t spend the night alone. C’mon. We’re heading across the courtyard. If the sexy Lacey isn’t the woman to jump-start things and end your dry spell-”

“She’s not-”

“Then maybe the fortune-teller will clue us in to who is. There’re hundreds of women roaming around here.”

“Are you nuts? I don’t believe in that fortune-teller nonsense.”

“Fine. I’ll ask her for you.” He grinned. “Right after I tell Lacey you’re insanely hot for her.”

Evan rubbed his temple in a vain attempt to stem the throbbing there. “Cripes, you’re like the pesky little brother I’ve never had. Or wanted. Have you always been such a pain in the ass?”

Paul’s grin merely widened. “You won’t think I’m a pain in the ass after you get laid. And I’m willing to bet you’ll be in a much better mood afterward, too.”

He could have protested but what was the point? Paul could argue the paint off walls-it’s what made him such a good lawyer. And besides, much as it galled Evan to admit it, Paul was right. A good sweaty romp between the sheets would surely cure him of this discontent and the tension plaguing him. But enlisting the help of a fortune-teller? Ridiculous. He’d just head out to one of the dozens of L.A. clubs tonight and see what was out there.

You know what’s out there, his inner voice whispered wearily. You’ve seen it and dated it, dozens of times.

Right. And the thought of doing so again didn’t fill him with any anticipation. But unless he wanted Paul to carry out his threat-and he knew from experience his friend wouldn’t hesitate to do so, and he saw Paul was already striding across the courtyard-he needed to get his ass in gear.

Against his better judgment and feeling uncharacteristically out of sorts, Evan jogged to catch up. As they approached the fortune-teller, who went by the totally absurd name of Madame Karma, Lacey rose from the chair, then turned. Her gaze collided with Evan’s and his brisk footsteps nearly faltered at the impact. Her eyes narrowed on him with clear annoyance, and he bit back a grim smile. Good. Why should he be the only one out of sorts?

She then switched her attention to Paul, and her chilly expression instantly melted to a warm smile. “Paul, how nice to see you,” she said, lifting one hand to shade her eyes. “Are you craving your usual double-shot, no-foam latte?”

“That, and one of your delicious cookies.” He rubbed his hand over his stomach. “Best I’ve ever tasted.”

Her smile outshone the bright golden sun, drawing Evan’s gaze to her full lips and the pair of shallow dimples flanking them. Damn, he’d always had a thing for women with dimples. How unfair that such a sexy pair was wasted on this particular woman. Her smile faded, and feeling the weight of a stare, he raised his gaze to find her glaring at him. “Evan.”

As far as enthusiastic greetings went, it wasn’t much, but that was fine by him. His every muscle tensed and his suit suddenly felt as if it had shrunk. “Lacey.”