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"Teri," Joan cried in utter exasperation "Don’t be an idiot He probably wants to thank you"

"As he should," Teri reotten for her trouble was an escorted exit froar not paid her, he hadn’t seen fit to thank her, either

"Miss?" the ain

Everyone in the salon see for her to decide

For a second she was tereat Bobby Polgar deigned to grant her an audience But frankly, she wasn’t that hard up Nor did she want to give this…chessman the idea that she was at his beck and call

"Please thank Mr Polgar for co," Teri said smoothly, "but explain that I have a full schedule today and am unavailable until after six o’clock" With that, she turned to see her friends and custoar will be pleased," the man said

Teri shook her head In her opinion, too ar’s likes and dislikes It was about time someone stood up to him

When she returned to Justine, it seeone silent "What?" Teri deh of relief

A few ive you this" She handed her a hundred-dollar bill

Teri shrugged and stuffed it in her hip pocket Apparently there was even uessed A hundred bucks for a haircut was about four ti for Bobby Polgar--he was a decent tipper

When Teri finished Justine’s cut, Grace Harding arrived for a perm Grace tried to book all her perms on weekends because she worked full-time at the library

In fact, Grace’s perm was the first of three Teri had scheduled for the day

By six that evening, her feet hurt and she hadn’tirritable about a certain spoiled chess player as far too accustoratified that Bobby Polgar had made the effort to find out who she was and where she worked

Actually, that was a noteworthy feat She hadn’t given anyone her nah now that she recalled, some of those pushy security people had checked her identification

Teri was the last person to leave the salon that night She set a final load of towels in the dryer, turned off the lights and headed out the door, locking it carefully before leaving theforward to a soak in her tub, a ood book

The stretch liht away As soon as Teri appeared, the car startedin her direction

Teri froze

Sure enough, the car slowed to a crawl and stopped directly beside her The door opened Apparently she was supposed to get in, no questions asked

She bent over and looked inside

Just as she’d suspected, there sat Bobby Polgar This car could easily seat ten thin people or ht women her size Yet the only person inside was the chess player

"Why wouldn’t you see me?" he asked

"I told your driver I was booked for the day I was"

"Do you have tiestured toward the seat next to hiht and build and wore glasses with dark fraiveother than chess

"Why?" she asked, genuinely curious

Her question seemed to surprise him "So we can talk"

"What do we have to talk about?" she demanded

"Are you always this much trouble?"

"No," she told him truthfully "But I had a very busy day and I’h he found her state "You weren’t busy last Saturday?"

"I had a lighter schedule I rescheduled two afternoon appointet to Seattle" She didn’t nosis was correct," he reminded her He leaned forward and offered her his hand "I won the , Teri reluctantly cliest one she’d ever seen She ran her hand over the plush upholstery and gazed up The ceiling had lights that changed color every few seconds, subtle pastel colors that gave the interior a soft, flattering glow

"Would you like soot?"

"What do you want?" was his reply

"A beer sounds good"

"A beer," he repeated as if he’d never heard the word before

"Preferably a cold one"

Bobby pushed a button and spoke into an intercom "A cold beer for the lady, Ja "Your driver’s name is James?"

"That amuses you?" He wore the same puzzled look he had earlier

She did a poor job of hiding her amusement "It’s just so…clichéd"

"Is it?" he asked, his expression still bewildered

The car took off

"Hey, just aaround, suddenly unsure "Where are we going?"

Bobby stared at her "To get you a cold beer Don’t worry James can be trusted"

"I trust Jaot ar nearly smiled "I like you You’re a little on the fat side but--"