Gwen laughed as she got up to leave. She strolled through the lobby, certain that he was admiring her audacity and her impossibly firm buttocks in equal measure.

He caught up with her on the sidewalk. The evening was windy and she felt her hair blow around her head like a halo.

I would like to photograph you. That is all. The sincerity dripped from his words and his dark eyes.

Gwen laughed again and signaled for a taxi.

Please do not deny me, he said.

Thats when it hit hershe didnt need this man. She didnt need any man.

She had herself. Thats why she had come here tonightto remind herself that she was still everything she had always been, even if Rick Rousseau didnt want all that she was. Gwen hadnt been desperate for a mans attention after allshed been desperate to rediscover her self-respect.

She got inside the cab, knowing that as of right that second, her days of wine-soaked self-pity were officially over.

Please do not go, he said, his last plea before she reached for the door handle.

Have a pleasant stay in San Francisco, she said, slamming it shut.

Gwen asked the taxi driver to wait for her at the public phone booth in Cow Hollow. She got the same terse voice mail. She left an equally brief message: This is Gwen Anders. Disregard my previous message. It was a terrible mistake.

I forgot.

Thats what Josie said as she opened the door to her mother, father, brother, sister, brother-in-law, niece, and nephew.

How could you forget Daddys birthday? Beth said, adjusting Chloes position on her hip.

The crowd began to push into her apartment.

I didnt forget his birthdayI just forgot we were going to dinner.

Donald shot her a doubtful look. Since when do you forget about a meal?

Were you in the middle of cooking something? Josies mother sniffed the air, then headed into the kitchen.

Her father was on his way to the sound system. Nat King Cole? he asked.

Beth stopped in the center of the room, raising her eyes to the painting. She spun around abruptly. Oh, my God, Josies getting ready for a date! And where in Gods name did you get this gorgeous painting? It almost looks /real/!

Her mother poked her head out of the kitchen. Whose beef Stroganoff recipe are you using? It looks delish!

Thats when Rick came out of her bedroom.

Its his recipe, Josie said, pointing. And his painting.

Rick was wearing a pair of jeans, sneakers, and a cotton sweater over a T-shirt. He smiled graciously, and didnt miss a beat.

Hello, everyone. Mr. Sheehan, nice to meet you. He extended his hand and approached Josies dad. Im Rick Rousseau. Rick moved seamlessly over to Josies mom. Mrs. Sheehan. Im Rick. Ive heard so much about you. He kissed her cheek.

An openmouthed Beth was next. So nice to finally meet you, Beth. He touched her shoulder. This must be Chloe. Oh, and hello, Howie. Is this Calvin? He moved toward Howie, shook his hand, and touched the younger child on the head.

Im Donald, Josies brother said, extending his hand to Rick. We apologize. We didnt mean to Its my fault entirely, Rick said, addressing everyone. Genghis had stopped sniffing and jumping on the new arrivals and now sat at Ricks feet. Josie had no idea Id be hereI surprised her with dinner when she got home from work.

Oh… my… God, Beth whispered, her eyes huge.

We were headed to the Olive Garden for my birthday party, Josies dad said, shoving his hands in his trousers. The one down at the Stonestown shopping center. They have unlimited breadsticks. Ever eaten there?

Its a /galleria,/ Dad, Beth corrected him.

Its a shopping center with a frilly name, Josies father said. I ought to knowI put in half their plumbing. So, would you like to join us, Rick?

Rick looked pleased by the invitation and turned to Josie for the go-ahead. She was shocked. Rick had met and charmed everyone in her family in less time than it usually took her to get Genghis to stop humping their shins.

She smiled at Rick, thinking he was the bravest, strongest man shed ever known.

Id be honored, sir, Rick said to Josies dad.

Let me get my keys, Josie said.

We can fit you in the van, her dad said. Plenty of room for everyone.

On the way out the apartment door, her mother leaned into Josies ear.

Hes wonderful!

Beth grabbed her sleeve and whispered, Dont mess this up, whatever you do.

A few hours later, around a large round table and stuffed to the gills with pasta and a prearranged chocolate birthday cake, the Sheehans began pulling out gifts and cards for Josies dad. Josie hadnt had time to get him anything, which her dad must have seen in her panicked expression.

Dont even worry about it, he told her, patting her hand. To see my girl happy is the greatest gift a father could ask for.

Josies dad raised his wine goblet and said, Heres to another year of lifes unexpected adventures. Everyone joined in the toast, Rick with his water glass and a wide smile that was all for Josie.

I know youre exhausted. Rick opened Josies apartment door and shielded her from the spastic dog. You relax and Ill take him for a walk.

Are you sure? Josie looked surprised.

Of course.

What about Teeny? Shouldnt he know youre walking around at night?

Rick laughed. Hes right outside, Josie. Didnt you see him a few tables away at the restaurant?

Josies mouth opened. For a man that big, he can sure keep a low profile.

Ill pass along the compliment. He kissed Josies cheek and retrieved Genghiss leash and a plastic bag from the coat closet. Anyway, who needs Teeny? I have a Mongol warlord for protection.

Josie glanced at the panting Labradoodle and sighed. Im pretty sure he likes you better than me now.

Teeny got out of the car and joined Rick. They laughed and talked as Genghis sniffed and did his business, Teeny going on and on about how nice the Sheehans seemed. Theyd completed one leisurely lap around the block when the hairs on the back of Ricks neck began to stand on end.

He peered around in the darkness, seeing nothing unusual. A car door slammed a few buildings down. Jazz floated down from an open apartment balcony door. But something wasnt right.

We need to go back, now.

Whats wrong? Teeny abruptly stopped walking, his hand going to his waistband.

I dont know. But its something.

Lets go.

Teeny jogged with them back to the apartment building and up the stairs.

They found Josies door unlocked, and Rick berated himself for not only leaving her alone for too long but for not locking the door when he left. /What was I thinking?/ Teeny went in first, sweeping the room with his gun drawn.

Josie? Rick called out. He strained his ears, relieved to hear the shower running in the bathroom. Im sure everythings okay, he said to Teeny, heading toward the bedroom.

Ill stay here for a couple more minutes.

Rick opened the bathroom door a crack. Josie? Did you fall asleep in there?

No answer.

Josie?

He flung open the door, fearing the worst/Bennett Cummings has taken the only thing that ever mattered to me./ He threw open the shower curtain.

Josie was curled on her side, legs drawn up, head on a little plastic bath pillow, sound asleep. He reached down and touched her warm throat and felt her heart beating strong and slow.

He turned off the water and grabbed a towel from a hook on the back of the door.

Josie, baby. Time for bed.

I told you, Lloyd, she muttered, slapping his hand away. I dont wanna have lunch with you ever again.

Rick chuckled, loving that she dissed old boyfriends in her dreams. He gazed down on her, shaking his head. He had no idea he could love anything or anyone as much as he loved the woman curled up in the bathtub. She looked so soft and pink and vulnerable. An image flew into his brainhis baby, suckling at one of those perfect round breasts.