Hecht has been linked to Priscilla Owen, the controversial federal appellate judge who is his protege and close friend and recently served on the Texas Supreme Court with him.
Miers was engaged briefly in the 1970s to Jim Martin, a law school classmate and, today, a Dallas attorney. They dated for two years, taking a road trip to Big Bend National Park in West Texas and to Los Angeles.
"She was a lot of fun," he said. "Good sense of humor. Cute. She was athletic. She was a very good tennis player, and we played a lot of tennis. She's just a very good sort of regular person. No airs about her."
One night, after another grueling workday, they met for a late meal at a Denny's restaurant. Over a plate of eggs over easy and ham, they broke it off.
"Our time wasn't our own," he said. "She's a very warm and caring person and would make someone a wonderful wife. It's just that she's extremely focused on her career. In that context, she has never had enough time to carve out a significant relationship that would take a great deal of time."
Over the years, as Hecht and Miers became frequent companions at formal dinners, bar association events, fundraisers and the like, their friendship played an important role in shaping their public life.
In January 1989, for instance, Hecht escorted Miers to an Austin dinner, an annual affair held for legislators and other movers and shakers. There, he introduced her to Bush, whose father had just been inaugurated president. Miers and Bush hit it off; within a few years, she was his personal attorney and an influential member of his inner circle.
It was Hecht, too, who brought Miers to the evangelical church that appears to have played a significant role in shaping her social positions and her evolution from a political moderate to a conservative.
Miers, in turn, has frequently given Hecht advice during his political campaigns, he said; Texas judges are elected, for the most part.
There have been moments, friends say, when Miers has expressed sadness that she has never been married or had children.
Rena Pederson, a longtime friend of Miers', called the relationship with Hecht "Shakespearean" -- more tragic than romantic.
"People always want to know why they didn't marry. But they just missed their wave," she said. "It was one of those things that happens sometimes to couples. They really care about each other, but the timing just doesn't work out."
Hecht said he had talked to Miers every day since her nomination was announced.
"I don't want to let them pound on her too much," he said. "I just want to make sure she's doing OK."
