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was a bit of wistfulness.
    “ Are you and James still not talking? You two are both way too stubborn.” She picked up her glass and took a restorative sip, sighing with pleasure when the bold, rich taste flooded her mouth. “I ’m glad that James is doing so well and I’ve heard a lot of good things about EcoSpace . Before this media circus happened I would have love d to work at a place like that . They’ re on the forefront of what promises to be a revolutionary business.”  She sighed.  “ B u t it’s not to be .  I’ll have a hard enough time getting a job at an unknown firm. ”
    “ Ah, now w hat is it you’re talking about ?” Patrick said gruffly. “ Here you are a n excellent, respected architectural designer.”
    “Who turned on her employer. ”
    “You did the right thing , me girl , and I bet that James would agree with me . After all, you did something in the way of a good deed for the environment and James’ company specializes in low-impact building s and the like .”  He pulled his gaze from hers and looked into his beer, studying it as if it contained the answers to the universe.  “I’ve heard that his company is hiring,” he continued somewhat offhandedly.  “ S ure as faith you’d get the job .  What with your experience and reputation.  You wouldn’t mind moving to North Carolina now, would you?”
    “Wait a second! This is you’re plan ?” She pause d and took a long drink of wine , trying to calm herself .  “Do you want me to act like some kind of mediator to bring the two of you back together? If that’s your wish go and talk to him yourself.”
    “Calm down lass. That’s no my plan. I was merely making a wee suggestion. You don’t have to follow it. But, you’d be a fool to no consider it.”
    Perhaps she had been a bit too ha sty, Mira thought. Her heart picked up speed at the thought of finally seeing James again and, she rationalized, EcoSpace was a fabulous company .  I t would be an ex c iting, challenging job. Unfortunately, there was one other obstacle besides the recent court case.  “ We didn’t exactly part on the best of terms.  Do you think he’ll know who I am ?   Will it even matter to him? ” she asked.
    The food had just arrived a nd Pat was already digging in, barely pausing to clear his mouth with gulps of beer.              
    “Slow down ,” she warned, “ or you’re going to choke on your food. On second thought, I might just choke you myself if you don’t pay attention.”
    He stopped eating and put down his fork. “Of course he knows who you are .  Hasn’t y our name been in all the business journals?   Besides , I’m sure that he wouldn’t hire someone without researching them first.”
    He was being deliberately obtuse and h is face was starting to turn red, a sure sign that there was something else going on here. She tried to imagine what it could be, but the rich meaty smell was starting to distract her .  Perhaps , she mused, if she ate something she would be able to concentrate better .
    At the first bite, Mira simply closed her eyes and enjoyed .
    “Told you it was good,” Pat mumbled as he slopped some spilled gravy with a bit of pastry.
    “Don’t distract me. ” She picked up a heaping forkful and moaned with delight . “ I’m having a religious experience her e . We’ll talk later.”
    “Suits me,” Pat mumbled.
    For several minutes the clanking of forks and the occasional sigh of pleasure were the only sounds.
    When the y were both finished , the plates were cleared away , and they sat with coffee, Mira picked up the conversation.  “ Why did my last question make you nervous, Pat?   Professionally , I’ve always been Mira Anders. Do you think he ’ll know that I’m also Mira Sween e y?”
    “I ne ver understood why you did that,” he groused. “ You were no married for more that six months.”
    She thought about the young, carefree man with a sense of bittersweet regret.