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going to be late… am I right? And I annoy you because it reminds you of your problem.”
    â€œYou are my problem.”
    â€œWhat?”
    Dakota unfolded his lanky frame and picked up the ruined guitar. “You heard me. You are my problem.” He tossed the guitar in the trash.
    â€œWhat are you talking about? Just because I asked you to write me a song? You’ve got bigger problems than not being able to write me a song. If you can’t produce an album, your record company will toss you out on your rear.”
    â€œYou’re the reason I can’t write,” he said, snagging her dangling shoe and handing it to her.
    â€œMe?”
    â€œYes, you.”
    â€œI got to you, huh?” Her smile was saucy, her wink sexy.
    â€œNo, you got to my car.”
    She threw her shoe at him. “Will you quit about your stupid car. It was an accident. It was unfortunate, but frankly, don’t you think you’re just a little bit obsessed about that clunker. It’s toast. Get over it.”
    â€œI wrote all my hit songs in the back seat of that car,” Dakota said flatly.
    â€œYou’re joking, right?”
    â€œI wish I were,” he answered with a resigned sigh.
    â€œAw, come on. This is an act. You’re trying to make me feel guilty, that’s all,” Chelsea said. What a ridiculous idea that his ability to write hit songs was somehow tied up with an old heap she’d wrecked months ago.
    Dakota looked directly at her. “I haven’t written a hit song in months. I haven’t written a song in months. Not even a chorus… a refrain. Nothing, since you smashed my car.”
    He was serious. She’d wrecked more than his car; she’d wrecked his life—and gone skipping off as if nothing had happened. But how could she have known?
    â€œI’m sorry.”
    â€œAre you?”
    â€œOf course, I am.”
    â€œYou’re sorry because I can’t write a song for you, is that it?” He picked up her shoe, then knelt down to slip it on her foot.
    The words Prince Charming came to mind, but she dismissed them. Her career might need rescuing, but she didn’t.
    â€œIf you were really sorry,” Dakota said, when he saw that she wasn’t going to be baited, “you’d help me get past my block.”
    â€œHow can I do that?”
    â€œI don’t know. All I know is that since I laid eyes on you…” He threw up his hands in a gesture of utter frustration.
    â€œYou know you’re being superstitious about your car. You can write. It’s only your mind playing tricks on you. Maybe you should try hypnotic suggestion or something.”
    â€œNope. You caused it, you’ll end it. I just have to figure out how.”
    â€œOkay.”
    â€œOkay? You’re agreeing, just like that?”
    â€œSure, why not? I need you to write a hit for me. If you can’t write, I’m out of luck. It’s in my best interests to help you get over your writer’s block.”
    Dakota actually laughed.
    â€œWhat’s so funny?” she demanded.
    Dakota shrugged. “It’s just that I would never have figured you for a pragmatic woman.” He looked pointedly at her three-inch red heels. “You certainly don’t look like one.”
    His disapproval stung. “What exactly is your problem? You’ve been on my case since you first laid eyes on me.”
    â€œThat’s easy,” Dakota answered, getting to his feet. “I don’t approve of you.”
    â€œWell, since I’m not looking for a daddy, it doesn’t much matter whether you approve of me or not, does it?”
    â€œYou know it wouldn’t hurt you to act more like a lady.”
    She hid the fact that her feelings were hurt. “It wouldn’t do a thing for my image. My fans expect me to be outrageous.”
    Dakota looked at her without comment, then surprised her by asking, “Where are you