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unlike Cole to be so, to be such a…”
    Jerk? Asshole? Prick? Baby? Seemed to her he’d acted just as she’d expected. Exactly as the profile had indicated. She laid her hand on Carmen’s arm. “It’s quite all right, Carmen.”
    “Men. They’re difficult to understand sometimes. My Fred. Most of the time he’s so warm and loving. And then sometimes I’dlike to bash him upside the head with my cast-iron skillet. Of course they’d arrest me if I killed him, so I call him names instead.”
    She couldn’t imagine a mean word coming out of the tiny woman, but Savannah laughed. “Well, yes, killing them is illegal.”
    Carmen linked her arm with Savannah’s. “They’re all a pain in the ass every now and then and require a lot of patience. But the great sex is worth it.”
    Savannah blinked. “I’m sure it is. Thank you again for lunch, Carmen. I’ll just call a taxi.”
    “You wait in here, then. It’s hot outside.” Carmen wandered off and Savannah stared after her.
    Clearly Savannah had a lot to learn about men and women and relationships. Right now she was happy to be single.
    She pulled out her phone when she walked outside, surprised to see Cole parked at the front door. He was leaning against the passenger-side door, his arms crossed in front of him.
    “So maybe I do have a temper.”
    She slipped her phone in her purse and walked toward him.
    “And maybe I can be an asshole.”
    She put on her sunglasses and tilted her head back.
    “I’m sorry,” he said. “But not everything in your super secret file there is true.”
    “Then start proving me wrong instead of proving everything in it is right.”
    He clenched his jaw, but then he gave her a quick nod. He moved away and opened the door for her, helped her up, then climbed in on his side.
    “Where to now?” he asked.
    “I’m yours to command. Take me wherever you’re going.”
    He relaxed his shoulders, shot her a grin, and started the car.
    At least he didn’t stay angry long. Point in his favor.



FOUR

    COLE DROVE SAVANNAH BACK TO HER CAR FIRST AND told her she’d need a change of clothes for later.
    Since she intended to shadow him to determine his routine, she told him he might as well follow her to her place, then they could go in one car.
    He’d expected her to live in a condo like he did, so he was surprised when she pulled into the driveway of a single-story home. The lawn was well maintained, with a huge tree in the front and a nice porch where two chairs and a table sat. Hanging pottery made it seem…homey.
    “Wow. Nice digs. Team footing the bill for this?”
    She didn’t answer and instead went to the door and opened it. He followed her inside, where it was also nice. It wasn’t a new home, but it was decorated nicely—all warm colors with overstuffed sofas and pillows and wood tables and flooring.
    She laid her briefcase on the table. “Would you like something to drink?”
    “Water is good.”
    “Help yourself in the kitchen.” She headed toward her bedroom, then stopped at the doorway and turned to face him. “What kind of clothes will I need?”
    “Got a party dress?”
    “Define party dress.”
    “Night club.”
    “Yes.”
    “Bring that. You can change at my place.”
    “All right.” Savannah went to her closet and selected a black and white cocktail dress and a pair of shoes, bagged her makeup and some jewelry, and came back into the kitchen.
    Cole had a bottled water in his hand and was standing at her back door, looking out at the lake.
    She’d bought the house for the lake view. She liked having the unfenced property, didn’t want the obstruction to mar the beauty of the lake. She liked sitting out back and watching kids play and parents walking them along the path. Occasionally, ducks would frolic in the water. It gave her a sense of peace and allowed her mind to settle.
    Her mind was definitely not settled now, not with a stunningly attractive man standing in her kitchen. He’d struck a casual