Convincing Alex by Nora Roberts Page A

loses the edge if he or she isn’t dealing with some crisis or tragedy.” She sampled the paella and sighed her satisfaction. “That’s why Elana’s been married twice, had amnesia, was sexually assaulted, had two miscarriages and a nervous breakdown, went temporarily blind, shot a former lover in self-defense, overcame a gambling addiction, had twins who were kidnapped by a psychotic nurse—and recovered them only after a long, heartrending and perilous search through the South Americanjungles.” She took another glorious bite. “Not necessarily in that order.”
    Before Alex could ask who Elana was, Lola was setting down fresh drinks. “You watch ‘Secret Sins’?” she asked Bess.
    â€œReligiously. You?”
    â€œWell, yeah.” She shrugged, knowing there were several patrons in the bar who’d rag her about it. “I got hooked when I was in the hospital having my youngest. He’s ten now. That was back when Elana was a first-year resident at Millbrook Memorial and in love with Jack Banner. He was a great character.”
    â€œOne of the best,” Bess agreed. “Brooding and self-destructive.”
    â€œI was really sorry when he died in that warehouse fire. I didn’t think Elana would ever get over it.”
    â€œShe’s a tough lady,” Bess commented.
    â€œHad to be.” When someone called her, Lola waved to them to wait. “If it hadn’t been for her, Storm would never have gotten himself together and become the man he is today.”
    â€œYou like Storm?”
    â€œOh, man, who wouldn’t?” With a chuckle, Lola rolled her eyes. “The guy’s every woman’s fantasy, you know? I’m really pulling for him and Jade. They deserve some happiness, after everything they’ve been through. Jeez, all right, Harry, I’m on my way. Enjoy your dinner,” she said to Bess, and hurried off.
    Bess turned to Alex with a smile. “You look confused.”
    He only shook his head. “You two were talking about those characters as though they were real people.”
    â€œBut they are,” Bess told him, and scooped up some shrimp. “For an hour a day, five days a week. Didn’t you ever believe in Batman, or Sam Spade? Scarlett O’Hara, Indiana Jones?”
    â€œIt’s fiction.”
    â€œGood fiction creates its own reality. That’s entertainment.” Picking up the saltshaker, she grinned. “Come on, Alexi, even a cop needs to fantasize now and then.”
    He looked at her long enough to make her pulse dance. “I do my share.”
    Bess swallowed the tequila, but its zing paled beside the one that Alex’s quiet statement had streaking through her. “You’ll have to tell me about that sometime.” She glanced around at the sound of piano music.
    Against the far wall was a huge upright. A slimly built, sandy-haired young man was caressing blues out of the keys.
    â€œThat’s Nick,” Alex told her.
    â€œReally?” Bess angled her chair around for a better look. “He’s very good.”
    â€œYeah. He talked Zack into putting a piano in the bar about a year ago. Rachel and Muldoon tried to get him to go back to school, get more training, but no dice.”
    â€œSome things can’t be taught,” Bess murmured.
    â€œLooks like. Anyway, he still works in the kitchen with Rio, and comes out and plays when the mood strikes.”
    â€œAnd has every female in the joint mooning over him.”
    â€œHe’s just a kid,” Alex said quickly—too quickly.
    With her tongue in her cheek, Bess turned back. “Younger men have their own appeal to the experienced woman. In fact, right now Jessica is embroiled in a passionate affair with Tod—who’s ten years her junior. The mail is running five to one in favor.”
    â€œWe were talking about you.”
    She only smiled. “Were we?”
    Zack