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“It depends on what you have to say”
“A cautious man”
“I’ve been married I know there are hidden pitfalls”
She wanted to laugh, or at least s In a very short period of time, Clay had become important to her Not in-love important—she wasn’t a co around She would ht possible
She supposed the good neas that with her healing caular relationship Sadly, she wasn’t interested in anyone else Which made her the star in a bad teen movie
She reht hurt in therun She sucked in a breath and plunged ahead
“I want to thank you,” she said “For helping odlike”
She expected hiaze remained serious “I knohere this is headed”
“Maybe so, but I’ Remember?”
“Go ahead”
She tucked her hands behind her, then dropped thereat Better than you had to be The bottoet fair treatment at the department and I’m healed So, technically, we’re done”
She stared into his face, trying to figure out what he was thinking There was no obvious sign of relief, for which she was grateful A loud “Thank God!” would have been hu
“No more deal,” he confirmed
She nodded
“No obligation”
“Right”
“Good to knoe can start dating” He put his hands on her waist and drew her closer
She stared at him “What?”
“Dating You know, going out Seeing each other” He leaned in close and pressed his mouth to her ear “Hot monkey sex whenever ant”
She shivered in anticipation, but still had to pull away and stare at hio out?”
“No, I’ I want us to be a couple Exclusive I don’t like casual relationships It’s too confusing”
“Dating?”
“Yup”
She felt bubbly inside Alirlie But she wanted to make sure she understood “We’ll exclusively date each other for an undetermined period of time”
He gave her a slow, sexy sether “Uh-huh What do you say, Charlie?”
“I say yes”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“IT’S A BAR,” Dolanced at the name on the door “Are you sure?”
“That it’s a bar or that we should be here?”
“Both”
“Mo to love it”
Do they were about to enter Jo’s Bar back to her daughter “Very well”
This was their first outing together Doreed It sounded shorter than dinner, but offeredfor ood compromise
They stepped into the bar and Dominique paused as she looked around Charlie tried to see it froant perspective
The walls were a prettycreepy, but still flattering Do televisions were turned to what looked like a fashion show and shopping and the clientele were all women
“Very nice,” she said, at last “I like it”
“I’lad” Charlie motioned to a booth on the side “Want to sit here?”
“Yes Thank you”
“Hey, Charlie”
She glanced toward the bar and waved to her friend “Hi, Jo”
“Great burgers,” Charlie told her mother when they were seated “I hear the salads are terrific”
Do and physical again and not have to worry about ht”
“Moreat Seriously You’re practically bony Give herself a break and have a burger”
“Is the rass-fed?”
Charlie rolled her eyes
“I’ll take that as a no,” Dominique murmured
Jo walked over with a couple ofa special on the barbecue chicken salad I can also make it into a wrap And in honor of the fact that it’s nearly fall, we have sweet-potato fries today”
Charlie moaned “I love those”
Jo grinned
“Jo, this is my mom Dominique—”
“Dixon,” Do her “Dominique Dixon” She held out her hand
“Jo Trellis Nice to meet you”
“Likewise”
“You have aher eyebrows
“I didn’t just hatch,” Charlie told her “I’ll have a diet”
“A glass of Chardonnay for ht, I’ll have a Corona with a lime”
Both women stared at her She stared back
“Beer?” Charlie asked when Jo had left Before this moment, she would have assumed her mother didn’t even knohat beer was
“It will go better with er And sweet-potato fries”
“Impressive”
“I can be fun,” Dominique said with a sniff
“Apparently”