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ignorant I can be when it comes to matters of the heart.”
    “Sounds more to me like you were hoodwinked.”
    “Perhaps, but I made a huge mistake. A critical error in judgment.”
    Vanessa’s brow shot up, and she firmed her lips for a moment, capturing his gaze deliberately. “Were you aware of her marriage at the time you were involved? No. Rather, you found yourself drawn to a woman you felt worthy of your affection. Where’s the judgment error, Jackson? Seriously.”
    He didn’t answer. He unwrapped cutlery from a linen napkin and took his time settling the silverware and placing the unfolded cloth across his lap. “Tamara was dynamic and charming. She was the president of her own company. Very smart and very sophisticated. I felt I had somehow stumbled upon a woman oceans out of my league who, for some unknown reason, had fallen for me. I was blind. I should have realized our relationship built too intensely, and too fast. I should have stuck closer to the world I knew.”
    “Meaning monitors, computer chips, and network connections.” She grinned, aching to restore his comfort and the courtly vibration of their time together.
    Jackson lifted her hand and glided a soft, quick kiss against the knuckles. He grinned as well. “Oh, mock me if you must, but that’s where I feel at home.”
    His banter tickled her heart, but the playfulness quickly vanished. “Work is where I find a level of confidence and control. Work is where I don’t fear being hurt—until now, that is.”
    Vanessa held her breath, noticing the somewhat abrupt way his words came to a stop. She decided to step into the void. “How did you find out?”
    “A friend of mine was acquainted with her husband.” Jackson drizzled vinaigrette dressing over the top of his salad. “The world is smaller than we think, eh?”
    “Definitely.” Vanessa dressed her salad as well and speared a forkful of greens. “So, your friend warned you off?”
    Jackson nodded. “And here’s the point in our story where I begin to lose nobility points.” He cast her a quick glance. “My heart nearly overruled my head. Until anger and betrayal set in. I have to admit, when she first told me about her marriage and the way it was crumbling, my convictions wavered. Her sorrow was real, and it battered me. I cared for her that much.”
    “They wavered, perhaps, but from what you’ve told me thus far, they certainly didn’t vanish. Keep in mind, facing temptation is completely different from succumbing to temptation.”
    “Being around Tamara was heady and intoxicating in ways that should’ve acted on my soul like a warning.” Jackson stroked his thumb against the back of her hand. “And here I am now, in danger of being swept away all over again.”
    Their eyes met. Silence held sway for an interlude accompanied by the soft chime of silverware, the low hum of conversation, the evocative dim hue of the restaurant’s atmosphere.
    “For now, at least I know I affect you in some small way.” Feeling courageous at his admission, Vanessa opted to answer in kind. “I was starting to wonder what I could do to break down that impenetrable fortress around your heart.”
    He released a sigh that was half rueful laugh. “You accomplished that objective the moment we met, Vannie. But that’s just the problem. I can’t—I won’t —lead you to unrealistic expectations. The idea of romance right now sends nothing but dread through my system. Besides, there are aspects of my job to consider, logistics that are against us—”
    “Codswallop!”
    Jackson froze at her affront and then burst into laughter. “Excuse me. What did you just say?”
    “I said codswallop!” Just as hoped, she’d turned this conversation on its ear, and in her favor. “You’re being utterly ridiculous and such behavior deserves a likewise comeback. I’ve watched my brother and best friend in the world work through logistics quite perfectly together because they share a beautiful love.