Page 8 (1/2)

When he laughed softly, she kneasn’t going to deny it She also realized she was allowing the conversation to drift into dangerous territory, and tried to reel it back in “Anyway, last I checked, you weren’t in personnel So until you take over the country and do aith the Equal Rights A women”

“I’ about all women”

“Oh, so you’re not a co or attractive or interesting or…whatever? And how, exactly, would you iet to deter and which wasn’t? Because if a job is open to one woman, it’s open to all women Beauty is subjective”

“Your beauty isn’t”

As angry as he’d made her, she was also perversely flattered She wanted him to find her attractive, because she found him to be one of the handsomest men she’d ever seen “I’ll take that as a co out of the motel today or not?”

She’d left hiument he’d started—she suspected purposely—and he seeh “What do you have planned?”

She h her closet, trying to decide what to wear “An educational seminar”

“There’s only one problem”

“What’s that?”

“We can’t be seen together”

“I’ve got that covered When I get there, I’ll call your roo once Co in a white Volvo SUV” She reil?”

“What?”

“Bring the hat and glasses Leave the knife at the motel”

“Sorry,” he said “The knife goes where I do It’s not ot”

She supposed he could’ve lied to her and brought it anyway “Fine, but just so you know, I have plenty of steak knives If someone attacks you, feel free to use one of mine”

“You’re taking me to your house?”

Finding the jeans she wanted, she held the phone between her shoulder and ear while putting them on “Do you know of a better place?”

“Yeah Here”

“No The ood friend”

This distracted him “Is that how you broke into my room? I should sue”

Peyton couldn’t help sot the worst of it Anyway, I think you have bigger probleive me the key I stole it”

“Do you still have it?”

“You’re afraid I ht come back?”

He hesitated “Would you want me to have a key to your room?”

Part of her actually wanted to say yes, which hy her voice grew solemn “I took it back I said I found it on the floor at a restaurant, and she thought one of the maids accidentally carried it off the premises” Fortunately, Michelle had been ry so Peyton didn’t have to feel bad for getting a maid in trouble It would’ve been difficult to place blaeably

“She fell for that?”

“Completely”

“I should rat you out”

“If only you could show your face”