Perfect. Lacey sucked in a breath. “Oh, this is Jack.” She turned adoring eyes to Jack, trying to signal him with her brows. Confusion briefly flashed across his face but he recovered and gave the couple a formal nod. “Jack, meet Frank and Celeste Stevenson.”

No one offered a hand. Jack kept his hands firmly on Lacey’s shoulders and pulled her slightly closer. Frank’s face clouded.

“Have you been enjoying the artwork? We’ve had a lovely time browsing—”

“Shut the fuck up, Lacey,” Frank spat.

She felt Jack start to push her aside to get at the shorter man, but she grabbed his right arm tight to her chest and held on, pulling his body tight to her back. Frank paled and stepped slightly behind Celeste. Coward.

Lacey wished she could see the expression on Jack’s face. According to Frank’s reaction, Jack looked ready to grind him into hamburger.

“Now, Frank. There’s no reason to be rude.” Adrenaline pumped through her veins. After all the things this asshole had done to her…

Frank pushed a furious Celeste toward the door, giving Jack and Lacey a wide berth. Celeste’s expression twisted to hate as deep lines formed between her brows.

“No reason? I could come up with several million, you sneaky bitch.” Frank had the last loud word as the door slammed shut.

The boisterous chatter of the shop abruptly halted. Every person in line, every person behind the counter, and every person seated at the tables stared at Lacey.

Lacey closed her eyes, listening to her heart pound. That didn’t go too badly.

“Wow. Who was that?”

She’d nearly forgotten Jack was there. She still had his arm clasped tightly against her breasts and could feel his heat against her back, through her coat. Embarrassed, she dropped his arm and turned to face him. She should’ve let him pound on Frank a little. By the look in Jack’s eyes, he’d have done it with pleasure. She forced a weak smile, trying to meet his intense gaze.

“That was my ex-husband.”

Jack escorted Lacey from the coffee shop in silence. They’d decided to skip the coffee, and he had a feeling coffee was something she didn’t pass up.

She’d been married. To that ass. Wow.

He shook his head to get rid of the tightening of jealousy that’d seized his throat. Where did that come from? It wasn’t like they were dating or something.

Or something.

His gut wanted to start something. Under that bulky coat, she had a body that was burned into his brain. Petite, but curvy in all the right places. She’d had scrubs on at the ME’s office yesterday, and he’d had a rough time keeping his eyes off her well-sculpted arms. She’d been an athlete and still kept things hot and tight.

His mind spun as he silently walked her to her car. It was dark in the city and only every other streetlight was on, creating areas of deep shadows next to the wide spots of gold light. They’d left behind the bustle of the art crowd and moved into a quieter section of town. He kept his hands to himself. Lacey’s stiff posture was sending out loud and uncomfortable vibes that screamed not to touch her.

He was clueless as to what was in her head. When they’d left the shop she’d seemed proud that she’d stood up to her ex, but then she’d become silent, and now anger simmered around her. Jack hadn’t ventured a word. Let alone a question. What was their story? It couldn’t be a good one. Obviously, the marriage had split on very bad terms.

Lacey stopped by a big SUV and dug in her purse for keys. Jack eyed the black vehicle, wondering if she could see over the steering wheel.

“That’s a big truck.”

She whirled on him. “Are you going to jump on me about carbon footprints? ’Cause I get enough of that from my friends. I have to get up the hills to my house when it snows. And I ski a lot.” Her eyes claimed she was ready to do battle.

He backed off, holding his hands up in defense. “Whoa. Slow down. Actually, I’ve got one just like it. Well, a few years older than yours.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you. It’s just that…” She waved her hands in a circle and gestured toward the way they’d come. “I’m sorry you saw him make an ass of himself.”

“It seems to come very naturally to him.”

A small smile crossed her lips and his breath caught. It’d completely transformed her face. He mentally cast around for something else witty to say, wanting to see her smile again. In silent frustration, he stepped in front of her and leaned casually against the SUV’s door, feeling anything but casual. His skin was on full alert. Every sensitive cell tuned into the woman in front of him. He felt like he’d had a couple of shots of espresso and couldn’t come down from the buzz. He couldn’t let her go.

“How long were you married?”

“Two years.” Her smile faded.

“How long ago?”

She counted on her fingers. “It’s been over for about seven years.”

“Jesus. And he’s still bitter? After all this time?” Who holds a grudge that long? Of course, Jack didn’t know why they’d split, but he’d bet it was the dickwad’s fault.

She shrugged and tugged deliberately on the door handle, which wouldn’t open because of his weight against the door. She wouldn’t look in his eyes, not ready to tell him the story. But he couldn’t let her leave when she looked upset. He didn’t move.

“I hope you managed to run him through the wringer before you split.”