Madame Karma nodded solemnly. “Yes, that fits perfectly, as your cards indicate he is a man of power.”

“Right. A powerful pain in the butt.”

“What is this man’s name?”

“Evan Sawyer.” She nodded toward the cards. “So, is Thorn-in-My-Side Sawyer about to leave Fairfax?” Lacey asked in a hopeful voice. “Get transferred to Siberia?”

“No. Indeed, just the opposite. The manner of his proximity to you is about to change. From nonsexual to…can’t get enough of him.”

Lacey actually felt her jaw drop open. A strange tingle, sort of like a slow-motion pulse of static electricity, eased through her. Then a short huff of laughter escaped her. “There must be some other thorn in my side because I can assure you, that is not going to happen.”

“My dear, I assure you that it is. The cards plainly say so and you cannot fight karma. Cannot deny your fate. To do so will bring the wrath of both upon your head, the equivalent of being cursed. Trust me, that is something you do not want. Your luck will change from good to bad like that.” Madame snapped her fingers and her multitude of metal bracelets jangled with an ominous clang. She then reached out and clasped Lacey’s hands. “This Evan Sawyer…you think he is all wrong for you, but he is, without a doubt, Mr. Right.”

2

EVAN SAWYER STARED across the bright courtyard at Lacey Perkins and felt every muscle in his body tense. Something about the woman unsettled him in a way he neither understood nor liked. Surely the tension that gripped him whenever he saw her-hell, whenever he so much as thought of her-was nothing more than severe irritation. It definitely rankled that she pushed the envelope with her coffee shop’s window displays and sensuously named products. Who the hell sold baked goods named Chocolate Orgasm and coffee drinks called Hot, Wet & Wild?