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I’m famished.” Tess beamed as their waitress approached, her arms laden with dishes. Another server trailed after her, his arms also full.
    The dark-haired server peered around their waitress as she bent to place the dishes on the table. “Tess?” heasked, his eyebrows arched in enthusiasm. “Hi, sweetheart. I didn’t know you were coming in today. Why didn’t you tell me?”
    “Mark, it’s so good to see you.” She raised her cheek as he placed a quick kiss there. “Since when do you work at this location? I thought you were in Hallandale.”
    “They had a staffing crisis. I’m filling in for a few days.” He glanced around the table at the notepads and pens. “You having some kind of meeting?”
    “We’re working on a fund-raiser.”
    “Let me know if you need any help.” He turned to Josh as he handed the dishes to their waitress. “How’s it hanging, Josh? Haven’t seen you in quite a while. Heard I just missed you at the apartment the other night when I stopped by to see our girl. You know how it is. I get the Tess jones on—”
    “Mark, this is Cassie Aikens, with the Dade County Women’s Club, and Dr. Mason Davies, with Project Mentor. We’re trying to help Mason’s group build a special youth center,” Tess interrupted him.
    Mark’s eyes lit with understanding. “Right. Travis was telling me about that.”
    “Travis is back?” Tess and Josh asked in unison.
    “He called the other night while you were busy with Jack. Kyle mentioned it to him.”
    Travis? Jack? Kyle? And all those calls. Who were all these men? And what were they to her?
    Before Mason could form a coherent comment she waved her hand as if brushing aside his unspoken questions. “More friends.”
    Mark bade her goodbye, with the promise to catch up with her later. After he’d left she turned back toMason. “We were talking about the beach cleanup next Saturday. What time does it start?”
    “Are you all coming?” he asked, squelching the image of Tess surrounded by a flock of men.
    Josh leaned forward. “I’ve already got a full schedule that day.” He winked at Tess. “But Tess can round up—”
    “I’m sure they have plenty of volunteers.” Tess smiled stiffly.
    Mason settled back in his seat. “Oh, we can always use more volunteers.”
    Josh opened his mouth, but Tess cut him off. “Cassie and I thought we’d lend a hand…if you need us and we won’t be in the way.”
    “I would be more than happy to help,” Cassie said. “Maybe we can round up a few of the others from the DCWC.”
    “Sure. We’re glad to have you. We’ll be at North Beach at nine-thirty.”
    “Tess?” A bearded stranger approached their table.
    “Hi, Hugh.” Her eyes widened, but she smiled and rose to exchange an enthusiastic, if brief, hug with this new man. “How are you?”
    Cassie turned to Mason. “She certainly has a lot of friends. ”
    “That she does.” Mason glanced questioningly across the table at Josh.
    He shrugged. “She’s very special.”
    “When did you get back into town?” Tess asked the latest arrival.
    “Just this morning. I was passing by and saw you through the window. I was going to stop by the nursery, but looks like you won’t be there.”
    “I’ve hired another full-time person. It’s great. I can get away a little more often now. I’d love to hear about your trip some time, but we’re in the middle of a meeting.” She made introductions, then explained briefly about the fund-raiser.
    “Hey, I can hook you up with an orchestra if you’d like,” Hugh offered.
    After Tess assured him she’d let him know, he gave her a quick kiss, then left, much to Mason’s relief. Mason hated to admit it even to himself, but he might have to protest if one more man dropped by with a friendly hug or kiss for her. He shook his head, irritated with himself. He’d only just met the woman.
    Why should he care?
    He squelched the memory of the heated moments they’d shared in the park and over