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then stuffed in another bite.
    Vivienne bit into hers. “Yum, this is delicious. I see why this place attracts a crowd.”
    Jacob grabbed a couple of his fries. “Yep, it is quite a draw. I’ve seen actors, sports figures, even politicians in here.”
    Vivienne was surprised he hadn’t brought her before. “We’ll have to come back.” She dipped a fry in ketchup. “The food is good.”
    A few minutes later, with his burger half eaten, Jacob took a breather to sip his beer.
    “You seem to be very busy at work lately,” Vivienne said. “You don’t text very often, or find time for dinners out during the week.”
    “Yes, I’ve been swamped, but I’m getting a handle on it,” Jacob said. “And there’s something brewing that I’m not comfortable with.”
    “What’s that?” Vivienne felt better knowing about his stresses at work. It was another way that Jacob no longer shut her out. He had begun to trust her with things that were important to him.
    “I blew up last week at an association meeting.” Jacob proceeded to tell her about Daniel Kenyon, a name she hadn’t heard before. He briefly told her about their history together, but mainly focused on the recent trouble the man had created.
    “I can’t believe he made such a scene.”
    “Oh, yeah, I can.” Jacob shook his head. “He is an annoyance, but I fear he might take it further. I tell you, the guy really ticked me off.”
    Vivienne could see that, as when Jacob recounted the tale the veins in his neck bulged. She could just imagine him grabbing the guy by the throat and tossing him into the elevator. Jacob had warned her that he had a temper, but she hadn’t experienced it personally.
    “Do you think he will knock it off, now that you have put him in his place?”
    “No, I’m sure he won’t .” Jacob picked up the other half of his burger. “He has it in his head that I’m his enemy. Well, if I wasn’t before, he has certainly made one out of me.”
    “It seems strange that he thought you were out to get him.”
    “To us, it’s strange,” Jacob said, “but it makes sense in Kenyon’s twisted mind.”
    “Did you ever really do anything to him?”
    “Not that I’m aware of, but he has a whole laundry list of what he imagines I’ve done.” Jacob took another bite, chewing thoughtfully. “It doesn’t matter, though. What I’m concerned about is what he has planned, because I know it’s not over.”
    Vivienne pushed her plate aside with some of her burger and fries left. “I’m stuffed.”
    Jacob glanced at his empty dish, then eyed the food remaining on her plate. “You want the rest?”
    He pulled her leftovers in front of him. “This is too good to waste.”
    Vivienne got pleasure out of watching him eat. “I’m glad you’re getting enough food,” she said, with a coy smile. “Because you’ll need your energy later.”
    Jacob’s blue eyes smoldered. “I’m planning on it.” Under the table he rubbed his foot against hers.
    “On another subject, I have a trip to Argentina coming up, and I’d like for you to come with me.”
    “Where in Argentina?” Vivienne said, stalling for time.
    She was aware that Jacob traveled frequently and was determined to go along, whenever she could. Yet she was busy at Vee’s, and with her online venture, too. It wasn’t that easy to get away. But she wasn’t about to refuse; she’d just have to work it out.
    “We’ll go to Mendoza—it’s the place for Malbec, and one of the largest wine-producing areas in Latin America. And this is a good time of year to go, because it’s spring. Their seasons are the opposite of ours.”
    Vivienne’s misgivings were replaced with excitement for visiting Argentina. “It sounds irresistible.” She smiled. “I’ll make some arrangements so I can go with you.” Now that she’d committed to go, Vivienne was already looking forward to it.
    *****
    The following weekend, Jacob took Vivienne to a fundraiser. After setting up the legal