LITMIR.BIZ

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You need a haircut.”

      Wendy’s hand went to her spiky hair, and she hopelessly tried to pat it down. “I know. As soon as I get a few bucks together, I will. Maybe next Friday.”

      Dallas forced herself to keep her mouth shut. She was always ready to bail someone out. It wasn’t that she was a pushover. She preferred to think of herself as a nurturer. Anyway, even if she offered Wendy a loan, she wouldn’t take it. To her credit, Wendy watched her finances. “Any news on the audition?”

      “I didn’t make the final cut.”

      “I’m sorry.”

      “C’est la vie.” Wendy shrugged. “Maybe I should start sleeping with directors.”

      “Right.” Dallas rolled her eyes. “That would be a good move.”

      “Hey, I didn’t get up early to talk about how I screwed up yet another audition. Tell me about last night.”

      Dallas briefly turned away to pour another cup of strong black coffee. “Speaking of getting up early, I had to walk Bruiser again.”

      “Oh, no. Sorry. You should have knocked on my door.”

      “He yelped and howled for five minutes. If he couldn’t get you up, I doubt I could have.”

      Wendy sighed, and then her lips started to curve as the curly black mutt, having heard his name, lumbered out of his cushioned basket and then stretched before leaping up onto the love seat with Wendy. “He’s so cute, isn’t he?”

      “Adorable. Especially at six in the morning.”

      Wendy gave her a sheepish look but then narrowed her eyes. “You’re trying to avoid talking about last night.”

      Dallas rubbed the back of her neck. “Not really,” she said, even as she privately acknowledged there was some truth there. “Last night was great. More fun than I’d expected.”

      “Yeah?”

      “Yeah.” Dallas leaned with her elbows on the kitchen counter that served as their table and a room divider. She cradled her mug in her hands and stared at the black liquid. “Eric is really a nice guy.”

      “And?”

      “And I’m seeing him again tonight.”

      Wendy’s hand froze in Bruiser’s curly black fur. “You’re kidding.”

      “Why not?”

      “Alone?”

      “At a restaurant. I’m not totally insane.”

      “This is so totally not you.”

      “That’s the fun part.” Dallas grinned. “It’s not me.”

      Wendy put down her cola, linked her fingers together as she often did when she angsted over something, which wasn’t often enough. She generally acted first, thought later. “Okay, what’s really going on here?”

      “Nothing.” Dallas straightened, her defenses rising. “What’s with you?”

      “You’re worrying me.”

      “This coming from someone who’d sleep with a director for a role?” Dallas snorted. “Besides, you’re the one who encouraged me to go last night.”

      “Hey, I was kidding about the director.” Wendy rubbed her eyes and sighed heavily. “How much did you tell this guy about yourself?”

      “I haven’t told him anything.”

      “Nothing?”

      “Nothing.”

      Wendy studied her with an annoying mixture of curiosity and concern. “You don’t trust him enough to tell him anything about yourself but you’re willing to date him.”

      “It’s not about trust. And I’m not dating him. It’s one time. Jeez.” Dallas sipped her coffee and took a mental time-out.

      “I don’t like the idea of you seeing him alone.”

      “We won’t be alone, Mom. That’s why I chose a restaurant.”

      “Which one?”

      “Like I’m going to tell you.”

      “Why not?”

      “I don’t want you spying on me.”

      “Would I do something like that?”

      In a New York minute. Dallas didn’t bother to answer. Only gave her a look.

      “Okay, what if I promise not to?”

      “What does it matter which restaurant?”

      “If he turns out to be a serial killer and no one ever sees you again, I need something to tell the police.”

      Dallas groaned. “He’s not a serial killer. He works for Webber and Thornton Advertising, for goodness’ sakes. If anything, he’s too conservative for me.”

      “Really?” Wendy smiled. “So, why are you going tonight?”

      Dallas stared blankly at her friend. The truth was she had no idea.

      SHE’D LIED. TO WENDY AND to herself. As soon as she saw him, Dallas knew why she’d agreed to come. She wanted him. Even for just one night. The situation presented the perfect opportunity. Anonymous sex. Behavior she normally wasn’t into. But something about him really drew her. Sparked a need she’d suppressed for a long time.

      He stood near the register, stoically watching the guys making sushi behind the bar. He’d beaten her to the restaurant. And she was five minutes early.

      After spending more time deciding what to wear than she’d care to admit, she’d chosen her newest pair of low-riding jeans and a light blue stretchy top that exposed about an inch and a half of her midriff and showed off her new tan, courtesy of Trudie. Casual but not sloppy.

      Eric had dressed up a little more, in khakis and a hunter-green designer polo shirt, his tasseled loafers perfectly polished. She glanced down at her sequined flip-flops. At least her toes were polished; an electric pink, again courtesy of Trudie.

      His fascinated interest in the sushi-making process came to an abrupt halt and he took a step back. The chef presented a plate of intimidating hamachi-and-eel sushi he’d been working on to a couple at the bar. Dallas smiled, and taking pity on Eric, she moved toward him.

      “Hi.”

      He turned to her with relief in his eyes. “You showed up.”

      “Of course. I suggested the place, remember?”

      He half smiled, and she realized he wasn’t talking about the sushi.

      The petite Japanese hostess returned from seating another couple and grabbed two menus off the counter. “How many?” she asked without a trace of an accent.

      “Two,” Dallas said, “and we’d prefer a table in the back if you have one.”

      “Let’s see…”

      While the woman searched the crowded restaurant, Eric whispered, “We can still make a break. There’s a steak house right around the corner.”

      Dallas laughed. “Behave yourself and I won’t make you eat anything raw.”

      “Follow me, please.” The woman led them toward the back, her waist-long black hair swaying and shimmering like expensive silk as she wove in between tables. “Is this all right?” she asked, waving a perfectly manicured hand with long red fingernails at a table for two in the far corner.

      “Perfect.” Eric flashed her a grin that put a sparkle in her dark eyes.

      “Enjoy your meal.” She left the menus on the table and moved back toward the front as if she were gliding on air.

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