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to get himself back under control.
    “Change into something suitable for walking on the beach,” he called, drawn to the aroma of fresh coffee that filled the little apartment.
    The bedroom door popped open and Emily’s head peered around it, her expression bemused.
    “What?” she said, clearly bewildered and a little startled.
    “It’s cool by the ocean,” he said, carefully keeping his voice even as he smothered a smile. “You might want to bring a sweater or a sweatshirt. Oh, and you’ll need a scarf for your hair.”
    “Robert…”
    “Admit it,” he said, “all you’re going to do is mope around your apartment.”
    It was a very nice apartment for all its small size. She’d made the most of the space, creating a cushioned window seat by lining one wall with low, sturdy bookcases and covering them with cushions. Live plants anchored each end. The colors of the walls were all light, making the room seem larger. It somehow managed to be both cozy and bright. A small brindle cat peered around one of the potted plants at him.
    Robert smiled.
    “Wouldn’t a walk on the beach be better?”
    He could see in her eyes the battle she fought, but in the end he and the beach won. She disappeared back into the bedroom while he helped himself to the promised cup of coffee.  It was good coffee. It seemed they shared a taste for that as well.
    Sunlight poured in the tall narrow windows. Being daring, the cat minced toward the band of sunlight, watching him warily, then stretched out to warm itself in the sun.
    One thing was certain, Emily didn’t waste time getting ready as so many women did. When she returned she was still barefoot, but there was a pair of deck shoes in one hand. She wore simple clothes, khaki cargo pants and a thin sweater, with another tossed over her shoulders.  She’d taken the time to put a little makeup on and brush out her hair, but she hadn’t gone overboard with either as one of his dates once had. Which had been a waste, all things considered.
    “Ready?”
    She dropped the shoes on the floor and slipped into them. “Ready.”
    Emily snagged her purse as she went out, letting the door with its automatic locks shut behind her, very aware of Robert’s hand at the small of her back.
    Only moments before she’d been thinking of Dan, and now…? All she could think of was Robert.
    Then even that thought was chased away as she spotted the car, a little light-blue BMW convertible.
    Now she understood Robert’s request for her to bring a scarf.
    She smiled in pure delight. “Oh, that’s wonderful.”
    Just the thought of feeling the wind in her hair, the sun on her skin, was enough.
    That expression of open pleasure was all Robert needed to see as he held the door open for her.
    With the top down, it was nearly impossible to talk much, but it wasn’t necessary.
    It was obvious that Emily knew where they were going once they neared. Robert slowed to match the speed limit, making it easier to talk.
    “I have a place here, too,” he said. “It’s on the beach although I don’t use it much. I thought you might enjoy it.” He glanced at her. “This has nothing to do with your ex. I enjoyed your company the other night and just thought you might be able to use some time away.”
    That was reassuring. Emily relaxed as they drove. She hadn’t risen quite high enough in the company, or made the kind of contacts that had homes in the Hamptons.
    Until now.
    Some of the houses were simply enormous for what were called beach cottages. They were painted the colors of sherbet with white accents, while others with their cedar shingles were more rustic.
    They pulled up in front of a lovely house painted a pale olive green with sandy accents so it blended into the sea grass and dunes.
    Even so, it was easily a large as some of the others.
    “Are none of these houses small?” Emily said.
    Robert grinned and gestured. “This one is mine. And I have a boat.”
    Chagrined, Emily blushed. He still