Despite himself, despite the rules, Darlington leans in as Alex tips her face up; that their lips come nowhere close to touching even so makes the tease of it somehow better and worse. It's perfectly judged, and as always he's struck with aggravation and pride at the way she holds him in her thrall.

She trails off, and he raises one eyebrow. "I'll remind you, we've been trying to get a reservation at this place for months," he says. "But tell me what you have in mind, Stern."