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"Those are the hottest tickets in town"
"I know that, too The Forum’s been sold out for three weeks"
"Do you follow the Lakers?"
She stared at him as if that were the most ridiculous question she’d ever heard "Doesn’t everyone?"
Ted laughed Blythe hated anything having to do with professional basketball, but she was a good sport about letting hiaaht of attending this one, especially with courtside seats
"If you’re thinking about selling the tickets," he said casually, "I’d be interested in buying them"
She looked more confused than ever "I don’t think so"
"If you haven’t thought of anyone you’d like to take with you, I’d like to rinned, and then surprised even himself "Take me"
7
Maureen was convinced barbecue sauce was smeared from one side of her face to the other No matter how many times she checked the mirror, she was certain she’d missed a spot Or several
She’d let Thom knoouldn’t find her so easy to manipulate a second ti, yet he’d purposely used the girls’ friendship to orchestrate their evening together
Maureen planned on giving him an earful the minute they were alone That had been her intention, only it never happened The girls were so pleased to be together, and Tho Early on, she decided she’d have dinner with him, but she was determined not to enjoy herself
Her resolve lasted all of tena plastic bib, and thefrom her chin The spareribs were the best she’d ever tasted
Soon Thoainst every dictate of her will, she had a wonderful time
"I hope you plan to invite me in for coffee," Thom announced when they pulled up in front of her snition before she could answer Apparently she wasn’t being given a choice
"I’ll carry in Paula’s overnight bag for her," he volunteered, as if the backpack were so heavy, it required soth to lift it
He climbed out of the car, and Maureen fiddled with her house keys while he opened up the trunk and brought out the lightweight bag
Maureen gave him a sideways look "This is another underhanded trick in what is fast becoone to dinner with irls?" he asked under his breath
"No," she admitted readily
"My point exactly You would have sent me off on a lonely ride back to the valley without so much as a cup of coffee What’s a man to do?"
Maureen smiled despite herself She really had enjoyed herself,while It felt good to laugh again Good to hear Karen laugh
"All right" She relented with poor grace "I’ll brew you a cup of coffee"
"That’s better" Tho sirls were practically dancing with exciteht in one another’s company
Karen and Paula disappeared inside Karen’s bedroom an instant after Maureen unlocked the front door For the first ti, she found herself alone with Thoirls as a buffer, she was more aware of him as a man, more aware of herself as a woman
"I’llher open palether "If you’d like to wait here, I’ll have it out in a jiffy"
"I’ll help" He followed her to the kitchen
Maureen felt like a insect beneath a microscope, the way Thorounds and added them to the filter
"Would you kindly stop?" she deer
"What a at me"
"Is that a crime?"
"Yes"
"You knohen you smile and your face relaxes, you’re an attractive woman You should do itfor complia, but I don’t want any part of it"
"Gaalass pot ater and poured all of it into the coffeepot dispenser "If you have the sudden urge to date again, I advise you to look elsewhere for companionship I’m not interested"