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"With what?"

"A white sweater Well, ivory Technically the outfit is ivory"

Nicole rolled her eyes "Of course it is Do you have a different sweater?"

Claire looked through her clothes and pulled out one that was a pale blue with threads of light silver shot through it "I never wear this one," she said, half to herself, "even though I really like it Maybe with pearls"

"Earrings maybe, but not a strand of pearls That’s too old lady The color will be great with your hair and your eyes"

She held the sweater up to herself and looked in the mirror Honestly she didn’t see any difference, but she illing to be wrong

"Okay I’ll wear this sweater with the ivory slacks I have pretty silver heels and a great bag"

Nicole wrinkled her nose "That goes without saying All your stuff is great You "

Claire wondered if they were about to get into dangerous territory "Not really Lisa buys stuff and I either keep it or not I don’t really have tio to stores"

She braced herself for a sarcastic comment but Nicole only nodded "From what she said, your days did seeered a strand "I get highlights"

"Maybe I should do that My hair see compared with your forty-seven colors"

"It’s about five different highlights," she admitted "It takes forever, but the different shades rows out No obvious roots"

"A plus when you’re traveling"

Claire nodded slowly, looking for sarcas any "It helps"

Nicole stood "I should let you get dressed Wyatt will be here soon and I don’t want you to keep hi Under the circumstances, it would be too weird forshe was probably asking for trouble, Claire said, "Thanks for all your help and advice"

Nicole shrugged "Just trying not to be the Bitch Queen of the Western World"

"You’re doing a great job"

"Gee, thanks"

When Nicole had left, Claire plugged in her electric curlers She wasn’t going for some fabulous style, just a little body in her hair She curled it, applied light makeup, then dressed, fussed with her hair and shrieked when she glanced at her watch and saw Wyatt was due any second As she opened her bedroom door, she heard Nicole yell, "Get your skinny ass down here He’s pulling up and I will not act like your mother"

"I’m ready," Claire called back and hurried toward the front door

"You’re on ti that"

"Oh Okay" Were wo "Did you, ah, want to colanced over her shoulder and saw Nicole shaking her head and ht be better"

"Sure"

She grabbed her purse and went outside Even with her wearing high heels, he was still a lot taller And bigger He was also dressed differently A dress shirt and dark slacks replaced the jeans and plaid shirts he usually wore He looked nice Was she allowed to say that to a guy?

They approached his truck He opened the passenger door and waited for her to move inside As she brushed past him, she was jolted by awareness and a massive case of nerves

"Do you eat meat?" he asked "I couldn’t reetarian, are you?"

She laughed "No I eatto a terrific steak place Buchanans It’s one of reat food"

"Sounds perfect"

They talked about Amy and the bakery on the drive to the restaurant Wyatt pulled up in front of the valet sign and handed over the keys, then came around and opened her door Once they were inside, he told the hostess they had reservations

Claire liked that he’d planned their evening together She also liked the restaurant It was intimate, all rich woods and leather booths It was at inti

They were shown to a booth in the corner After they’d slid onto their seats, the hostess put theirwith the wine list, then left

"You look good," Wyatt said

Claire paused in the act of reaching for her rateful for the subtle lighting "Thanks for asking me out This is really fun"

"Don’t you want to wait until the evening is over to decide that?"

She smiled "I don’t have to"

He raised one eyebrow "Are you flirting with low

Wyatt didn’t need to look at the h ti Claire study the selections She looked intense, as if her decision had consequences

He still hadn’t decided if asking her out had been sle and sexy as hell Dating made sense

Except she was Nicole’s sister and no one he would noret involved with A few minutes on the Internet had produced more information on Claire Keyes than he’d expected She was famous, revered and adored on every continent she’d visited Critics loved her, fans worshipped her and she’d had uy who built houses in Seattle What rong with this picture?

"Would you like to order a bottle of wine?" he asked, refusing to talk hiun

"That would be great Do you--"

Just then aI am Marcellin, your sommelier I heard you mention wine and my ears perked up May I offer some assistance?"

He had a French accent that sounded so perfect, Wyatt wondered if it was fake Before he could decide whether or not to use Marcellin’s services, Claire began speaking to him In French

They chatted for a few minutes, before Marcellin excused himself Claire turned to Wyatt