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think it’ll mesh with yours. It’s practically impossible to get close to her. We’ve known her for years, but we still don’t know much about her.”
    â€œMaybe she doesn’t like you very much,” he joked.
    But Pete remained serious. “I’m not kiddin’, man. Alicia’s real sweet, outgoing, and considerate, but she’s not like most women. I know you’ve been with women who were clingy and demanding, and so have I, before I met Rhonda. But Alicia can love ’em and leave ’em as good as any man.”
    Jack’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “And how would you know that?”
    â€œRhonda shared some things Alicia told her with me. Girl talk kind of things. She probably shouldn’t have told me, but I don’t think Alicia would feel betrayed if she knew Rhonda repeated a few things she said. After all, I’ve known her almost as long as Rhonda has.”
    â€œWhat did Rhonda tell you?”
    â€œApparently, Alicia chafes at feeling fenced in. Nor does she feel that she’s got to be in love with a man to sleep with him. I’m not saying she’s easy, Jack, she just feels urges like the rest of us and acts on them. Alicia makes no demands on people and can’t stand for anyone to make demands of her. She might as well be surrounded by the Great Wall of China. I don’t think you’ll be able to get through it. And I know you won’t be happy if she spends the night with another man just days after being with you. She’s the type who’ll probably never settle down. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
    â€œI’ll consider myself warned. But Pete, if you think I won’t be able to get next to Alicia, then all I can say is you don’t know Jack.”

Chapter 9
    A Taste of Honey
    J ack made sure he arrived at the restaurant fifteen minutes early. He wanted to be there to greet Alicia when she arrived.
    â€œDevlin is the name. I have a reservation for eight o’clock. I’m meeting someone,” he told the maître d’.
    The middle-aged man nodded knowingly. “Yes, Mr. Devlin. And does the young lady have any distinguishing characteristics?”
    â€œOnly that she’s stunning,” he promptly replied. “Definitely too gorgeous to be entering a restaurant alone.”
    â€œI’m sure I’ll recognize her. But just to be on the safe side, would you like to give me her name?”
    â€œMiss Timberlake,” he said, adding, “I’ll wait at the bar.”
    â€œVery well, Mr. Devlin. I will bring her to you myself.”
    â€œThanks.” He wandered into the separate bar area, where he sat at the end of the counter and ordered a Scotch and water. The maître d’ seemed amused by his description, but how else could he describeAlicia? With her high cheekbones, gracefully arched brows, and skin so flawless it looked like it had been painted on, she was a goddess.
    Two African-American women entered the bar area and sat nearby, leaving just one stool between them. Jack toyed with his Scotch and entertained himself with thoughts of the pleasant evening that lay ahead. He looked over when he heard a question he believed was directed at him.
    â€œHow are you tonight?” a female voice inquired.
    He looked over at the women to make sure one of them had addressed him and not some other person. One of them, a striking brown-skinned woman, smiled at him, while the other looked away and appeared uncomfortable. “Good, thanks. You?”
    â€œNot bad. What brings you out tonight?”
    â€œI’m meeting a young lady.”
    â€œMy friend is a young lady,” the woman pointed out. Her friend jabbed her in the ribs and mouthed the words, “Stop it!”
    He chuckled as the first one said, “Ouch! That hurt, Charlene!” Both women appeared to be in their early forties. The one doing the talking wore engagement and wedding