Daniel leaned back.
“That’s why you came.”
“Yes.”
“Not pancakes.”
“Both.”
He looked at her.
“You could have called.”
“I know.”
“Why didn't you?”
Victoria held his gaze.
There was the answer.
Daniel felt it.
So did she.
Lily shouted from the office.
“Are you going to kiss yet?”
Daniel nearly inhaled coffee.
Victoria covered her mouth, laughing.
“Lily!”
“What?”
“Color.”
“I am.”
Victoria looked at Daniel.
Her eyes were bright with amusement.
“Your daughter is direct.”
“Her mother was worse.”
The sentence slipped out.
Victoria's smile softened.
“Tell me about her.”
Daniel stared at the coffee.
Normally he avoided that invitation.
People asked out of politeness.
Victoria did not sound polite.
She sounded interested.
“Rachel?”
Victoria nodded.
“She was an elementary art teacher.”
“She painted the sign?”
Daniel looked up.
“How did you know?”
“Lily told me while you were getting plates.”
“Of course she did.”
“She said her mom won the color argument.”
Daniel smiled.
“She usually did.”
“What happened?”
“Cancer.”
Victoria's expression changed.
“Ovarian.”
Daniel looked toward the sign.
“Late diagnosis.”
“How old?”
“Thirty-six.”
Victoria closed her eyes briefly.
“I’m sorry.”
“Five years.”
“That doesn’t make it small.”
No.
It did not.
Daniel looked at her.
“You married?”
“No.”
“Ever?”
“No.”
“Why?”
Victoria smiled faintly.
“People usually ask women that more delicately.”
“I fix cars.”
“Apparently diplomacy wasn't included.”
Daniel waited.
She considered.
“I spent my twenties building the firm.”
“And thirties?”
“Protecting it from people who thought marrying me would be easier than competing with me.”
Daniel laughed.
“Seriously?”
“You would be amazed.”
“Probably not.”
“Then I got good at recognizing interest that arrived after a magazine article.”
Daniel looked toward the Porsche outside.
“So bring a broken supercar to a mechanic who doesn’t know who you are.”
“I did not break it intentionally.”
“Convenient.”
“Very.”
They smiled.
The chemistry returned.
Quieter than before.
No black dress.
No night.
No exhaustion.
More dangerous because neither could blame atmosphere now.
Daniel glanced at the office.
Lily was visible through the window, head bent over her drawing.
Victoria followed his gaze.
“You're checking.”
“Yes.”
“For what?”
“That she’s okay.”
“She is.”
“I know.”