“The board is uneasy about our partnership and this new type of programming, but they also recognize how imperative it is that we appeal to a wider community. I’ve already made the gamble on these events. Promoting them is just doubling down.”

Naomi leaned forward, directing the full force of her gaze at him. “You don’t sound sure.”

He tried to match the intensity of her tone, the fire that made her cheekbones pop as she pursed her lips.

“I’m sure.”

Only Naomi would demand complete transparency from everyone else while simultaneously giving nothing away.

Ever since he’d met her, he’d worked to slowly chip away at her armor, only to find it all back in place the second they were in public. This slide back down the hill to friendship was probably an effective deterrent more often than not, but Ethan was a scientist and a rabbi. His life was oriented around asking better questions, not expecting easy answers.

Still, he was sweating in the hot seat. “I’m going to get a glass of water. Anyone need anything?” Ethan stood up abruptly, eager to escape the lingering moment of tension at the table. His foot knocked against the table leg, sending Naomi’s iced coffee splashing against her chest.

She jumped back, dripping, a huge stain blossoming along her formerly white top.

He closed his eyes.

It was one thing when his clumsiness ruined his own clothes, but quite another for it to spread to Naomi’s wardrobe. “I’m so sorry. Let me get some napkins.”

If only his buddies from college who had accused him of womanizing could see him now. He was about as smooth as a cactus. He grabbed handfuls of napkins out of one of those torturous holders specifically designed to keep paper captive.

By the time he made it back to the table, Naomi was nowhere to be found.

“She popped into the bathroom to clean up,” Clara said in a gentle voice that told him his embarrassment showed on his face.

Ethan rubbed his temples. He had a headache forming.

“I feel terrible.” He was already so far out of his depth with Naomi. This was the last thing he needed.

“Don’t.” Clara assured him. “It was an accident. Besides, this is L.A. Every woman worth her salt has at least four spare outfits in her car at any given moment. She’ll be fine.”

Ethan wasn’t so sure. There was no reason for Naomi to give him second chances. “I’m already so deep in her debt, and each time I see her the ledger goes down. At this rate, I’ll never be able to break even.”

Clara grabbed the napkins from him and mopped up the table. “Everyone feels like that with Naomi at some point, which is exactly the way she likes it. She’s like a craggy, wounded old war general.”

Ethan paused his own cleanup efforts.

Clara’s mouth curved. “Okay. Not on the outside, obviously. But emotionally. She’s lived in survival mode so long, she doesn’t know how to turn it off. It’s like she’s constantly scanning herself for weakness. Trying to weed it out with her bare hands. Naomi’s powers of reason are so strong, they’re dangerous. She can justify any action in the name of self-preservation.”

Ethan collected her wet napkins and deposited them in a nearby trash can.

“You seem to know a lot about her.”

“Yeah. Well. I’m one of the few people she lets love her.”

Envy bloomed, unbidden, in Ethan’s chest. He shoved a thumb behind his back toward the counter. “I should probably order her another coffee before she gets back. To replace the one I spilled.”

He placed his order with the barista only to find Clara standing behind him.

“She’s single at the moment, you know.”

“Oh. Um. Cool? I mean, good. Or not good, but neutral. Fine.” Stop talking.

“You should ask her out,” Clara said, followed by another bright smile.

“I’m sure she wouldn’t be interested in getting involved with someone like me. She knows she’s too good by half. I can barely keep up with her professionally. There’s no way I could hold her attention romantically.” He handed over a few bills to pay for the coffee.

Behind him, Clara crossed her arms. “What makes you think that?”

“Come on.” He took the drink off the counter. “We both know the idea of Naomi Grant and me dating is ridiculous.” Whether he wanted it to or not, his job would place unwelcome demands on whoever he got involved with. Even after only a few weeks, Ethan could see that no one made Naomi do anything she didn’t want to.

“What did I miss?” Ethan turned to find Naomi standing behind him holding her ruined shirt, wearing nothing underneath her blazer. A single button secured at the navel held the sides together. His heart climbed into his throat as he admired the curve of her breast before dragging his gaze away.

Without missing a beat, Clara piped up. “Nothing much. I was just telling Ethan that I’ll send out the first press push today.”

He hoped, foolishly, that Naomi hadn’t overheard his last comment to Clara. Even if she agreed that the idea of romance between the two of them was absurd, he liked it better when they both pretended that all their toothless flirting could lead somewhere.

“Is that for me?” Naomi took the beverage from Ethan’s slack grip and slid back into her chair, seemingly oblivious to the fact that no one in the entire shop, Ethan very much included, could take their eyes off her.