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He grinned at that

"There’s nothing wrong with red wine," she said

"Nothing whatsoever You ht ask Max about that the next time you see him"

Bethanne doubted she’d have the opportunity

The waitress came for their order and quickly returned with another beer for Rooster and a glass of lad she’d run into Max’s friend

"He nearly tore this town apart looking for you," Rooster commented He leaned toward her, his elbows propped on the table

By contrast Max had made it sound as if he’d tracked her doithout much effort "Did he tell you why it was so important to find me?"

"No"

"Where are Willie and Skunk?" She shouldn’t ask questions What she should do was drink her wine, thank Rooster and go up to bed

"They took off on their ohen they got tired of racing from one casino to the next Can’t say I blame them"

"I don’t think Max is all that pleased he found me"

"Don’t be so sure"

"Frankly, I’ht for a uess I’m sad, ether had such a strong i was all wrong The situation, too She tasted her wine, then held the glass by its steet involved with Max," she said "I just can’t Not right now I have responsibilities, decisions to make, and I need a clear mind"

"You sound like Max"

"How?"

"At every casino he said he didn’t need a wo to let a woman make him stupid"

"What does that mean?"

"Hell if I know You’ll have to ask hi he needed his head exa I asked him as so special about you, and he wouldn’t answer He didn’t stop until he found you and I don’t think he would have, either"

Despite herself, she sed in his ared? That’s all?" Rooster sounded incredulous

"That’s all"

"He hasn’t touched another woman since Kate died You’ve obviously had a powerful effect on him"

She sipped her hile she tried toher business card from her purse, she handed it to Rooster "Give this to him and tell him to call me when he’s ready" By then she would have reached her own decision regarding Grant She’d knohat she wanted With time and distance she’d be able to think, to put her history with Grant and this new attraction in perspective If she went back to Grant, she’d inforain If not…

Rooster put the card in his pocket and frowned at her "You sure you want to do this?"

She nodded "I’ on eye makeup when Annie, dressed in her pj’s, stuled ht?" Bethanne asked She’d lain awake a long time and heard Annie tiptoe into the roo In fact, Bethanne doubted she’d slept ht She’d been thinking of Max and their conversation She couldn’t help wondering what ht have happened if she’d let him kiss her Well, it was too late to question that now

"I had a blast," Annie said as she ran a brush through her hair "Would it be all right if you and Grandain?’

"That’s okay, isn’t it? I met his parents They’re with hiotout with his sisterhis parents for breakfast Why don’t you come with us?"

"Thanks, I will But I don’t want you to stay out as late tonight, okay? We’re leaving in the "

"I won’t, I promise"

Annie dressed quickly in cotton capris and a tank top, and put onin your twenties! Not that e didn’t have its compensations…

When Bethanne had finished her ownon the end of the bed waiting "You ready for breakfast, Ruth?" she asked "We’ve been invited to join Annie’s friend Jason and his faether they left the roohtful hour with Jason and his extended fa people, then walked the Strip, visiting one casino after another They rode the gondola at the Venetian and shopped at Caesars Palace, then ate lunch at Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant Ruth’s energy surpassed Bethanne’s Herher fiftieth class reunion, but she was physically fit and ht’s sleep, unlike Bethanne

"I have to ad this more than I would Mount Rush lucky Would you ave Vanna a chance to return my money?"

"Of course You do what you want This is your trip"

Ruth looked unsure "But I want you to enjoy yourself, too" She paused "Annie certainly seeood time"