Abby Murphy also caught a glimpse of the name shing on Ste Cameron''s phone screen.


    "It''s Foreman Richards. Do you think he''s got more news for you?"


    "I have no idea."


    Ste answered the call. "Foreman."


    Foreman''s voice came through, gentle and polite as always.


    "Star, do you have any free timetely? I''d like to take you out for dinner."


    "You''ve helped me so much-it should be my treat." Ste paused, thinking. "Are you free tonight?"


    Foreman replied almost instantly, "I''m free."


    Realizing how quickly he''d answered, he gave a small, self-conscious cough. "Work''s finally slowed down for me. I''m pretty open these days, so whenever works for you."


    "Then let''s do tonight," Ste said. "Tomorrow evening I have Mr. Walden''sworking event, and the day after is up in the air."


    "Alright," Foreman replied, his voice smooth and warm. "Tonight it is. I''ll see you there."


    "See you there."


    As Ste hung up, she noticed Abby making exaggerated faces at her.


    Ste raised an eyebrow. "What''s with the mischievous look?"


    Abby gave her a sly, knowing smile. "Star, have you ever wondered why Foreman''s helping you out?"


    Ste answered, "He doesn''t want to see Haynes O''Brien and Jasper Wilkinson keep making the same mistakes."


    Abby snorted. "That''s just an excuse. Those three have been thick as thieves since they were kids. Look at all the messes Jasper''s made-Haynes and Foreman always bail him out, no questions asked."


    "If Foreman really wanted to stop them, he''d just help them get rid of you instead of warning you. That''d be a lot less risky. Think about it if Jaspe and Haynes ever found out Foreman betrayed them, their friendship would be toast


    "So the only real exnation..."


    Abby leaned in, her analysis precise. "A man will do anything for his buddies—


    until there''s a woman involved. Star, what if Foreman actually likes you?"


    Ste''s first instinct was to brush it off. "No way."


    "Why not?"


    Frowning, Ste replied, "I''m


    Haynes''s ex-wife, and Foreman''s his close friend: How could he like me? Besides, Foreman and I have never even met alone before. Every time we''re together, he''s nothing but polite-not the least bit flirty." Cóntent


    Abby shrugged. "When you were still married to Haynes, he had to keep his distance. But now that you''re divorced, Foreman''s finally reaching out, giving you the heads-up, making his move."


    Ste thought about it, then shook her head again. "Jasper''s always trash-talking me in front of Haynes and Foreman-calling me a trophy wife, an airhead with nothing but a high school diploma. A guy like Foreman, who grew up with every advantage, must have seen every type of beautiful woman. Looks alone wouldn''t impress him. I''ve been married, I have a five-year-old kid-why would Foreman be


    interested in me?"


    Abby rolled her eyes. "So what if you''ve been married and have a child? If a woman is exceptional, she could date a guy ten years younger without breaking a sweat. Our Star deserves the very best this world has to offer."


    Ste had to admit, Abby''s words made her feel better.


    Only a true best friend would insist you''re worthy of everything good.


    ...


    That evening, Ste arrived at the restaurant ten minutes early.


    She was surprised to see that Foreman was already there, waiting. She walked over and offered an apologetic smile. "Sorry I''mte."