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and besides”—Charlotte bumped her hip into Tamara’s and pointed toward the filled bar at the denim-covered rears—“there are some perks.”
    Now this they could agree on. The asses she was privy to view were not ones to sit behind a desk for eight hours a day. These were tight, firm buns that got that way through hard outdoor labor, not an hour in a gym. “I guess there is something to be said for sexy men in jeans and cowboy hats. And let’s not forget that little twang they have in their voices. I can’t discern what it’s a mixture of, maybe southern gentlemen with a hint of rake and a dash of good ol’ boy, but whatever it is, it gives me a tingly in my tummy and a moistness in my panties.”
    “Girl, you’re preaching to the choir.” Charlotte’s laughter drew some curious gazes their way.
    A sun-bleached blond, his skin tanned a honey bronze, turned at their laughter with a sly look. He caught Tamara’s gaze with his own, and with a seductive smile on his lips, he winked.
    “Good Lord.” Tamara fanned her face with her hand. “Okay, scratch that shirt complaint. I’m beginning to think it will look awful nice on my floor.”
    “You are so bad.”
    “Really?” Russell asked, coming up from behind them. “Tell me more.”
    Before Charlotte did just that, Tamara bumped her friend gently with her elbow. “Just girl talk. It wouldn’t interest you in the least.”
    “I wouldn’t be so sure. If girl talk makes your eyes glow like that, then I’m definitely interested.”
    “Is our table ready?” She batted said glowing eyes and changed the subject, not willing to be pulled into this battle of wills with Russell. Truth be told, she was a bit upset with him for not agreeing to pose. It was stupid, and she refused to pout about it, but it still sucked.
    Seriously, Tamara didn’t think she was asking too much. These groups of photos could be the artistic break she was looking for. Then again, to be fair, she was well aware there were some people who just didn’t like to have their pictures taken. It only blew that Russell was one of those people.
    “Yes, but do you really think changing the subject is going to make me any less interested in what you were talking about?”
    “No, but your interest won’t make me spill my secrets.”
    “What will?”
    It could never be said Tamara was one to miss an opportunity when it was presented to her. “If you pose for me, I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”
    “Anything? No holds barred?”
    “Anything.”
    “Tempting.”
    That was a start. “I’d give you carte blanche ove—”
    “You.”
    His request sent a shockwave through her system and had her stuttering like a fool. “Na—no.”
    “Pity.” He gave her a knowing look and smiled. Then turned around and walked away, leaving Tamara and Charlotte goggling in his wake.
    Oh my. Where the hell had that come from? Tamara could only stare after Russell as he strolled over to Ty and wonder if she had imagined that entire exchange. Was he…flirting with her? No. It couldn’t be. Pretty boys like him didn’t flirt with girls like her unless they were getting paid obscene amounts of money. And the only thing obscene about her bank account was the bareness of it.
    “Ladies,” Ty called, gesturing with his hand for them to join them.
    “Be right there, honey,” Charlotte said with false cheerfulness as she grabbed Tamara’s arm in her hand. Lowering her voice, she spoke quickly as they began to walk toward the two men. “What in Rick James’s name was that about?”
    “You got me.” Even though it amused Tamara that Charlotte reverted back to their high school days’ repartee, it wasn’t enough of a distraction to take away from the anomaly that had just occurred.
    “Okay, I got you. But does he?”
    “Girl, please.” It was as much of an answer as it wasn’t, and Charlotte knew it as well as she did.
    “And that means?”
    “That we’re going to have to pray to Father