She hadn't planned on stopping by Rafferty's work, but errands had taken her past his favourite burger place.
After another stupid fight last night, she'd grabbed his usual—extra bacon, no pickles, chips and a Coke.
An olive branch.
The office was quiet when she walked in.
Then she heard Rafferty's voice.
And a woman's.
“You're staying late again?”
the woman asked.
“Looks like it.”
“You're always here late, Raff. Starting to think you just like being around me.”
Rafferty chuckled.
“That what you reckon?”
She stopped outside his open office door.
A gorgeous young blonde stood in front of Rafferty, smiling up at him.
“I brought you coffee this morning.”
“And you've reminded me three times.”
“Because you don't appreciate me.”
Her eyes travelled openly over him.
“Most men would be nicer to the woman bringing them coffee and telling them how hot they look in work clothes.”
“Christ, Nessa.”
Nessa.
A woman she'd never heard her husband mention.
“You know I'm right.”
Nessa stepped closer and brushed dust from Rafferty's chest.
“Although I think I prefer you dirty.”
“Careful, Hallam.”
“You keep saying that.”
Her smile turned flirtatious.
“You haven't actually told me to stop.”
The heroine went still.
Rafferty didn't answer immediately.
Nessa looked pleased.
“You eaten?”
“Nah.”
“Knew it.”
She sighed.
“Coffee at six-thirty, forget lunch, complain you're starving at four. You're very predictable, Dunmore.”
Something inside the heroine sank.
She knew what time he arrived.
How he took his coffee.
That he forgot lunch.
All these tiny pieces of Rafferty that had once felt like hers to know.
“I'll get you something,”
Nessa said.
“I'll survive.”
“Or you could let me look after you.”
Her voice softened.
“Someone should.”
The heroine looked down at the takeaway bag in her hands.
His favourite burger.
Exactly how he'd eaten it since they were nineteen.
She'd driven across town because despite everything they'd said to each other last night, she'd seen that stupid burger shop and thought of her husband.
And apparently another woman had been standing here thinking about him too.
The worst part wasn't that Nessa wanted Rafferty.
It was realizing Nessa clearly felt comfortable enough to show him that she did.
And Rafferty had never once mentioned her.
Neither of them had noticed his wife standing in the hallway yet.