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you like. I’ve got to go get some sleep.”
    “Yeah, beauty sleep so you look all sexy for your hot date tonight.”
    “Carey!”
    She grinned evilly.“Huh?”
    I shook my head and leaned forward to hug her again.“It’s so great to see you.We’re still on for Sunday?”
    “Oh, I wouldn’t miss this for the world. Bring your new man. Oh, you probably don’t want to talk about the Jay thing in front of him.”
    “He saw the whole thing go down. But he’s not my young man, so I won’t be seeing him again after tonight.”With that I grabbed up my stuff, swerved around her, and started wheeling out the door. Quickly.
    “He what?! But how? Now you know I need details.” Carey was racing along, chasing behind me to the elevator as I waved and said my see-you-laters to the team.“I’m not going to be able to wait until Sunday!”
    “What’s on Sunday?” Lisa called out as we whizzed by.We both ignored her.
    Finally I reached the elevator and pushed the DOWN button. “You’re going to have to, unless you want to come out with me tomorrow—but I know how Bryan plans your weekends down to the minute.” Bryan had been Carey’s boyfriend for over six years now. He was a bit of a control freak and seemed disinclined to formalize their relationship beyond moving in and planning their every moment.
    Carey’s smiled faded a little bit.“Okay, we’ll talk Sunday.”
    Concerned, I put my hand on her arm.“Are you okay? Are you and Bryan okay?”
    “We are exactly the same.”
    “Oh.”The elevator dinged.“Listen, I can call off this dinner if you want to come to the hotel and have a room service slumber party tonight?”
    She pushed me toward the elevator.“What? Have you miss out on the non-date date with the hot delivery guy?”
    “Who told you he was hot?” I stepped on the elevator and turned around.
    She threw back her head with laughter.“You just did. Have a good time.”
    With that, the elevator doors closed.

6
Is This Still Not a Date?
    Steven—Friday, August 14, 8:32 p.m.
    I switched my weight from foot to foot as I waited for Christina to come down to the hotel lobby.When I called up to her room, she said she’d be right down. I kept my eyes on the elevator doors but hadn’t seen her. But there was this one woman …an absolute knockout.And then I froze.
    I did not recognize Christina when she first got off the elevator. I had seen Christina in business suits and sweats (and that last bathrobe incident). Never had I seen her look like this. She had on a short, light green sleeveless dress that fit everywhere it was supposed to. Showed off incredibly smooth brown skin and long legs. She had on high-heeled shoes with her toes peeking out. Her long black hair was curly; her lips were glossy and tinted a purple-pink color. Something pretty twinkled on her ears and throat. My mouth went dry and then so wet I had to swallow. I had thought she was a cute girl. She was a beautiful woman.A really beautiful woman.
    She walked toward me with a brow raised. “What is the matter with you? Why are you looking at me like that?”
    I tried to regain some composure.“Like what?”
    “Like you’ve never seen me before.”
    I ran my eyes up and down her once more.“I’ve never seen you look like this.You look amazing.”
    She grinned.“I clean up well, and thank you.”
    “That’s putting it mildly.”
    She took a moment and looked me over. I knew I was on point.Tailored tan slacks, crisp white shirt, white linen jacket. She nodded.“You know you look good, youngster.”
    I smiled. “I’m a youngster now, hmm? Okay, I see you. Is this still not a date?”
    “Definitely not a date.” She was firm.
    “Even though you have on the pumps and gloss?” I couldn’t resist teasing her.
    “I’m being polite. When you called, you said to dress for someplace nice. I didn’t want to shame you.”
    “I so very much appreciate your efforts on my behalf. Shall we go?” I gestured toward the revolving