Keeley's lab ran late, leaving her exhausted. Still, she had to write a research paper outline due the next day. To motivate herself, she stopped at the kitschy little coffee shop she'd discovered during her sophomore year of college, just off campus. A lemon scone sounded perfect.

It was past dinnertime, so the White Leaf Café was much emptier than usual. Only one other person occupied the space, sitting in a corner, watching the door while sipping a Frappuccino.

Focused on her goal, Keeley didn't notice him and went straight to the counter. "Hi, I'll have one of your lemon scones to go, please."

"Sure thing, honey. That'll be $2.98."

Keeley rummaged in her purse for change when a deep voice spoke from behind her.

"I've got it."

"Hey, thanks! You didn't need to do that," she said cheerfully, turning to see more than just the stranger's arm. The blood drained from her face instantly.

Aaron, in one of his usual Armani suits, looked utterly out of place in the simple coffee shop. What on earth was he doing there? Weren't there fancier coffee places in his part of town? Of all the rotten luck.

She'd thought living in a city of over eight million people would make avoiding one person easy. Apparently not.

Keeley wasn't the same person she'd been when they last met. She'd treat him like any other acquaintance, remaining civil even if she'd rather be anywhere else. He wasn't worth worrying about.

"Long time no see," she said coolly.

Despite his usual imposing presence, he seemed slightly nervous, leaning against the counter. She might have been imagining it; he was, after all, the king of poker faces.

"It has been a while. You look good."

Her straight blonde hair was shoulder-length; she'd gotten side bangs the previous year, following a school trend. Keeley usually wore her hair long when she was with Aaron, as updos were fashionable in New York's socialite circles. She'd been excited to try something new.

His unexpected compliment startled her. "Thanks. Uh, you too."

She wanted the conversation to end so she could resume her life, but Aaron showed no signs of letting her go.

"Why don't we catch up over dinner? My treat."

"I don't have time; I have a paper to write," she refused. "I only stopped here for a minute on my way home."

Thank goodness for a legitimate excuse.

She waved goodbye and hurried toward the door, but he stopped her, looping his arm through hers and briskly walking away from the subway station. This forcefully reminded her of her sophomore year of high school.

"Aaron, I really don't have time for—"

"It won't take long, and I'll drive you home afterward. You probably missed your train anyway."

Keeley sighed. He was right; she had missed her train. However, waiting for the next one was far preferable to a meal with this domineering man.

In the past, pushing back only increased Aaron's interest. She'd accept this once, working on her outline on her laptop during the drive home. He just wanted to catch up with an old classmate—a one-time thing, provided she didn't pique his interest. Keeley planned to be as boring as possible while remaining polite.

He took her to a popular Japanese steakhouse she'd visited a few times with her dad. She hadn't been back since it was now beyond her budget.

"So," he began, once they were seated at a table where the chef grilled at the table. "Tell me what you've been up to the last five years."

"It's not that exciting," she demurred, wanting to give minimal details. "I got my bachelor's in bioengineering and am halfway through my PhD."

"Medical science isn't exciting?" he asked dryly. "Seems like you've been busy."

"I still am busy." And yet you dragged me here anyway remained unspoken but heavily implied.

He ignored the jab. "I've been pretty busy myself. I got my economics degree and am the vice president at my family's company now."

Keeley already knew this, so she simply said, "Good for you."

"I suppose. Work gets rather tedious at times."

This from the king of workaholics? Hard to believe. Aaron had spent most of their married life at work, thinking about work, or working at home. Even before their marriage soured, he'd lacked work-life balance. Business was his true love.

"I can understand that," she lied, trying to remain calm. "Endless observations at the lab get pretty tedious too."

Interest sparked in his cold eyes. "Observations of what?"

"Rats. I can't give specifics due to privacy laws, but my faculty mentor is using rats for animal trials, and I spend hours a day recording everything about them."

"Sounds fascinating."

She couldn't tell if he was mocking her, but she didn't care. His opinion meant nothing to her. Before she could respond, the evening's entertainment began.

The chef started preparing their meal with fancy spatula flips and dramatic flame spurts.

It was quite impressive, which is why Keeley had brought her dad here. He loved it. Too bad she couldn't afford to bring him anytime soon.

She applauded the chef after he finished, and Aaron followed suit with hesitant claps. The food was delicious. She wouldn't let unpleasant company detract from a good meal.

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