“Heftier will do. But in what way isn’t it hefty?”

“I don’t know how to explain it. He’s so…”

Jasper tilted his head. “So…?”

“Well, manly.”

“The book doesn’t reflect his manliness?”

“You’re goading me,” she said, pretending to slap his hand. “But the truth is, no, it doesn’t shout masculinity. I mean, it does, but not to the extent…Oh, I don’t know what I mean.”

“You expected a book written by him to read differently.”

“Yes. It’s not as meaty as I thought it would be.” She seemed embarrassed to have expressed her opinion and tried to laugh it off. “But who am I to say? It’s light fare. Fast paced. Overall, it’s enjoyable reading, and that’s what I’ll tell him when he asks for my feedback. As I said, I’m no critic. Far be it from me to dampen his ambitions, and I wouldn’t hurt his feelings for the world.”

“Which may be why he asked you to read the novel instead of Talia. She would have been candid in pointing out its weaknesses.”

“No doubt you’re right, and that would not have set well. Already they rub each other the wrong way.”

As she drained her glass, she dribbled a bit on her chin and was now dabbing at it with her napkin. Otherwise she might have noticed that Jasper’s right eye ticked in reaction to her last statement.

“Hold that thought,” he said and signaled the waiter for another round.

Elaine demurred. “I really shouldn’t have two.”

“I agree.” He gave her a sly wink. “Three minimum.”

“You are bad.”

“My dear,” he said silkily, “you have no idea.” Then he motioned for her to pick up where she had left off. “You were saying something about Talia and Drex rubbing each other the wrong way?”

“It’s probably just me, but—”

“No, I’ve also noticed it.”

She sat forward, her bosom nearly knocking over her empty martini glass. “You have? I thought I was imagining it. The minute she arrived last night, I sensed the antagonism, and it only got thicker as the night wore on.”

“He must have said or done something to offend her.”

“I don’t think so. He was his charming self.”

The waiter arrived with fresh drinks. As soon as he walked away, Jasper asked, “How do you explain this hostility between them?”

“They weren’t hostile, exactly. Just not comfortable with each other like they’d been that day on the yacht. Remember, they talked for a long time out on the deck. I thought maybe something had happened that I was unaware of. A disagreement of some kind.”

“Not to my knowledge. In fact, we hadn’t seen Drex for a couple of days leading up to last night.”

“Hmm.” She gave an elaborate shrug. “Who can explain why we like some people and detest others? Although Talia’s aversion is understandable if you compare Drex to you. You’re polished and sophisticated. He’s—”

“Manly.”

She gave a gusty laugh. “That’s not at all what I meant to imply. If Talia weren’t in the picture, you’d have dozens of women lined up at your back door bearing casseroles, and I would be leading the charge. You know I adore you.”

He placed his hand to his chest and humbly tipped his head.

Smiling at him, she sipped her drink, but as she lowered her glass, her smile became a thoughtful frown. “It’s unlike Talia to be snippy. Even with someone she doesn’t particularly like.”

“Talia? Snippy?”

“I know, right? But on the drive from the restaurant back to my house, she got really short with Drex.”

“What provoked it?”

“I have no idea. We were talking about Key West.”

With great care, Jasper set his highball glass on the table, then left his fingers cupping the rim and turned the glass idly. “How did that come up?”

“Drex wants to visit Hemingway’s house. He asked if we’d been there. It was a casual conversation. And then it wasn’t. I’m not sure at what point it went downhill or why it did.” She sipped at the ice crystals floating on the surface of her drink. “I think his questions began to pester her.”

“Questions?”

“Basic ones that a prospective tourist would ask a travel agent. He kept at it even though she made it clear she didn’t want to talk business.”

“She didn’t want to talk about Key West.”

Noticing his shift in tone, Elaine’s gaze sharpened on him. “Oh? Why?”

“It’s a private matter. Not something that Talia is comfortable talking about, even with me. All I’ll say is that she had a client who became a close friend. But the relationship ended abruptly.” He paused before adding, “And badly.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It was a while ago but remains a sensitive topic with her. I trust you’ll never bring it up again.”

“Of course, Jasper.” She picked up her glass and raised it to him. “On the subject of Key West, I’ll be as silent as a grave.”

Jasper could barely contain an eruption of laughter.

“Jasper?”

Talia flipped on the kitchen light and was greeted by a startling sight. Dressed in pajamas, Jasper was crouched on the floor, running his hand along the baseboard beneath the cabinet. “What on earth are you doing?”

He came to his feet, dusting his hands. “I dropped an ice cube.” He shaded his eyes against the overhead light. “Please switch that off. I think we’re being watched.”

“Watched?”

“Turn off the light, Talia.”

She didn’t appreciate his imperious tone but did as asked, then waited for him to explain his bizarre behavior.

He asked, “Have you been asleep all afternoon and evening?”

“No, I woke up to an empty house. I found the note you left on my dressing table. You and Elaine must have been enjoying yourselves. Your get-together for drinks extended into the dinner hour.” She looked at the clock on the stove. “And beyond.”

“I called to invite you to join us. Your phone went to voice mail.”

“Oh. Right,” she said with chagrin. “I silenced it when I lay down and forgot to turn it back on.”

“Assuming you were asleep, I left you in peace rather than call on the house phone.”

She nodded absently. “How was Elaine?”

“Enlightening. Did you skip dinner?”

“No. After reading your note, I ate a peanut butter sandwich and went back to bed. When did you get home?”

“An hour ago. Give or take.”

“I didn’t hear you.”

“You were virtually unconscious.”

She must’ve been. She felt as though she were coming out of a coma and discovering that while she’d been out, everything had gone awry. Nothing felt right or familiar, in particular this disjointed conversation with Jasper. He was prowling the room, stopping at every window to look outside.

She shook her head to try to clear the lingering cobwebs. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on? What did you mean when you said we’re being watched? Watched by whom?”