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for his benefit. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
    “Sorry? You should be sorry, you bastard.” She leaned in and snarled softly, “My publicist said you turned down my invitation to the San Diego gala. I’d already announced you would be there. Men don’t turn me down; I turn them down. You understand?” She raised her voice again. “No, I don’t care what you say, I’m not taking you back. Do you hear me? We’re over. Now let go of my arm.”
    “I’m not touching you,” Kane said dryly.
    She pulled back from him as if he had been. “Don’t beg. I won’t change my mind.” Even though he hadn’t said a word, she said loudly, “How dare you!” She raised her hand as if to slap him in the face, but paused to look around. She pursed her lips and said in a low voice, “How could not one person have their phone out to take a picture of this? Do they know who I am?”
    Kane flexed his shoulders and nodded at the familiar couple at the next table. Although the restaurant was well known, regulars also frequented it. The restaurant owner, Richard D’Argenson, had married into the Andrade family and in New York if you threw a stone, you were likely to hit one of them or someone who knew them. Gio had taken him there so many times, Kane had become comfortable and knew many of the people around him. “You chose your stage poorly if you were looking for publicity. I could probably kill someone here, and no one would say a word.”
    Scarlet’s eyes rounded dramatically and she shrieked, “Are you threatening me?”
    Kane rubbed a hand tiredly over his eyes and returned to his seat. “Enjoy the rest of your evening, Scarlet. Somewhere else.”
    Scarlet bent down near his ear. Her skin-tight red dress barely covered the tips of her breasts, but Kane felt nothing at the sight. “Every time you see me in a movie you’ll think of what we had and what you’ll never have again.”
    “I’m sure I will,” Kane said with some irony.
    “Asshole,” she said, then flounced her way out of the restaurant.
    Kane pinched the bridge of his nose wearily. A much softer female voice interrupted his moment of reprieve.
    “Sorry I’m late.”
    Kane stood to greet Gio’s wife, Julia, with a brief hug and a kiss to her cheek. She was the sweetest woman Kane had ever met and had a gentle, nurturing soul. When she’d called and asked Kane to meet with her privately, he hadn’t hesitated to agree. Like anyone he considered family, he’d move heaven and earth for her. “Not late at all. I was just seated.” He held out a chair for her.
    Julia sat with a smile and wiggled happily in her chair. “I just saw Scarlet King in person. I wanted to ask her for her autograph, but she was out the door before I could. Richard must be so happy she came here to eat. Clients like that are good for business.”
    “Sometimes,” Kane answered vaguely and retook his seat. He raised a hand and the waiter was instantly at the table. “What would you like to drink?”
    Julia sat forward in her chair and with her hands tapping on the table in excitement. “I’ll have a water this time. Can you guess why?”
    After the waiter left, Kane answered, “Because you’re thirsty?”
    Julia’s smile widened, if that was even possible. “No, because I’m pregnant. Gio and I are going to have a baby. Don’t tell anyone, though. I want him to be able to share the news at our next Andrade dinner. And it’s early, too early to make a formal announcement.”
    Kane reached across and gave her hand a warm, short squeeze. “I couldn’t be happier for both of you. Congratulations.”
    “Thank you. A baby. We’ve been trying for years now, and I was starting to worry. So was Gio, even though he won’t admit it. I can’t tell you what this means for us. That is why Gio and I bought a place outside of the city; someplace big enough for my parents to come and stay with us and plenty of room for our growing family.”
    Two waters arrived and Kane took a