LITMIR.BIZ

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      Tyler merely nodded. “You do that.”

      Brenda rushed forward to give Carlie a hug. “Give me a call later. Promise?”

      “Of course. And thanks for the company, Bren. See ya’ later, Jason.” She ignored Tyler, not feeling the least bit guilty about it, and exited the room, her back stiff, her tight braid pulling at her temples. She wasn’t entirely out of the house when she heard Tyler say, “That has to be the prickliest woman I’ve ever met. I got the distinct impression she didn’t like me. Can you imagine?”

      Jason’s laugh was sharp. “Unheard of, isn’t it?”

      There was a shrug in his tone when Tyler replied, “There’s just no figuring some women.”

      Carlie allowed the door to slam just a bit too hard behind her.

      * * *

      It was a very neat, utilitarian office. Carlie was surprised at how functional each piece of furniture was, with only a modicum of necessary decorations. The walls were beige, the carpet a swirling mixture of blues and creams. The sofa and two chairs were upholstered in a rough nubby fabric of a deep blue, and the wooden end tables were light oak. It was a comfortable room, without any indication of Tyler’s personal style, which she’d assumed to be rather flamboyant.

      The office door opened and Tyler stepped out, accompanied by the secretary who had first greeted Carlie. His smile was warm, a natural smile that Carlie knew he bestowed on almost every female he encountered. Beyond him, she could see into his office, and noticed his desk strewn with papers and files. Suddenly, she realized how disruptive, and presumptuous, her visit was, but she also knew if she hadn’t come today, she wouldn’t have come at all. Brenda had told her he’d been asking about the harem girl from the party. He wanted to know who she was.

      Carlie hoped he would eventually give up and forget about that night...but then, she also knew how badly it would hurt her if he was able to do just that.

      Lately, she felt awfully confused.

      “I’m sorry I kept you waiting, Carlie. I didn’t realize it was you. I’m not familiar with the name McDaniels.”

      Of course, he wouldn’t be. Carlie took his hand. Very briefly. “I hope I’m not interrupting. I can see you’re busy. I just wanted to stop by and tell you I’d like to accept your offer of assistance for our new sports program.” She was rushing through her words, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself. She’d spent three days stewing over what to do, and finally decided that her personal embarrassment had to take a back seat to the kids’ problems. She was the only one who knew she had reason to be embarrassed, and since no one else had agreed to help, Tyler was her only option.

      “We hope to start next week, so I wanted to drop off the material I’ve put together. You might want to look it over before meeting the children.”

      Tyler accepted the papers she thrust toward him, then motioned her into his office. “Come on in and have a seat.”

      “I don’t want to take up too much of your time.” And she wanted to get away from him as quickly as possible.

      He lifted one shoulder in an exaggerated shrug. “I needed a break, anyway.”

      Carlie followed him into his office and sat on the edge of a straight-back, narrow leather chair. Tyler went behind his desk, seating himself with all the officious attitude of any good lawyer.

      After skimming through the papers she’d given him, he looked at her again. “You’re very thorough.”

      She blushed and she hated herself for it. “It’s just a basic overview of the children who will begin in the program. I thought it would help if you knew what kind of problem each child was having and what their backgrounds were like. The idea is that any child who collects more than three after-school detentions or in-school suspensions will have the choice of joining the team or having their misconduct shown in their grades. Of course, if they choose to join the team, they’ll have to contribute wholeheartedly and follow instructions to the letter. In other words, they’ll have to work together and get along. They’ll have to accept that rules have a purpose, and everyone has to follow them. The program had been used in several schools. So far, it’s been very promising.”

      Tyler nodded, then gave her another of his intent, probing stares. “How many children will we be starting with?”

      Carlie cleared her throat and looked away. She let her eyes roam around his office while she spoke, pretending an interest in his bookshelves, but really trying to avoid his stare. “The list I’ve given you has nine kids. Of course, that number can change daily. And the children will be released from their obligation whenever they show an improved attitude toward school. But no child will ever be forced to quit the team.”

      “Will we get to compete against other teams?”

      Carlie didn’t answer right away. Tyler’s genuine interest amazed and confused her. She had half expected him to give only a show of concern. But he was studying the list, all signs of the womanizer gone while he perused her notes. She was looking at the top of his head, at how thick and dark his hair was, how it curled just the tiniest bit. He glanced up and caught her staring. At his hair for crying out loud.

      He ran his fingers through it negligently. “What’s the matter? Have I sprung a streak of gray?”

      Carlie folded her arms defensively. “No, I...no. I was just thinking.”

      Tyler laid the file down, once again giving her his full attention. “About what?”

      “About...whether or not we’d be playing other schools, of course,” she said quickly. Then, taking a deep breath, she continued. “I don’t believe so, at least not at first. If after a time the team shapes up, that would be entirely your decision how far to carry it.” Carlie forced herself to stare at him directly, though she felt a faint blush on her cheeks.

      Tyler smiled at her again, leaning back in his chair and folding his hands across his stomach. “You have the most unusual eyes. Very intense. Especially now, while we’re talking about the children. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen that exact shade of hazel.”

      She stiffened. “Thank you, but I don’t think the color of my eyes has any bearing on this program.”

      “It was just an observation.”

      He was still leaning back in his chair, his posture relaxed, his gaze lazy, and Carlie realized he was deliberately provoking her. She decided not to oblige him. She came to her feet, still holding his gaze, and stared down at him. “Personal observations aside, do you have anything else you’d like to discuss?”

      Carlie watched as he struggled to stifle his amusement. He stood behind his desk, his dark eyes warm and smiling. Then, leisurely, he began looking her over. She tolerated his perusal, trying to keep her expression blank, even while her pulse raced and her palms grew damp. She was well aware of what she looked like. Her suit was a deep, dark green, almost brown, and it was cut in straight lines, effectively hiding any signs of her figure.

      “You’re tall for a woman.”

      What an inane comment. But true. Carlie’s head was just about even with his nose, and she was wearing flats. She glanced down at her shoes when he did. They were ugly, round-toed, and extremely comfortable.

      She drew on disdain to hide her sudden discomfort. “If you don’t have any other questions about the program, I’ll be on my way. I wouldn’t want to keep you from anything...important.” She turned, and headed for the door without another word.

      Tyler came around his desk and stepped in front of her, blocking her exit. He wasn’t grinning now, but she could still see the humor in his eyes. “Forgive me, Carlie. I didn’t mean to be rude.” Before she could reply, he lifted the folder in his hand. “May I keep this?”

      She watched him warily. His apology sounded genuine, but she still felt he was laughing at her. She gritted her teeth, wishing she could

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