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assured her. “But it’s fun, isn’t it?”
    â€œThe most fun I’ve had in a long time, and thank you. Theodore is going to be shocked when he shows up Saturday!” she predicted.
    Â 
    Shocked was an understatement. Jillian in a blue ensemble, with her long hair soft and curling around her shoulders, with demure makeup, was a revelation to a man who’d only ever seen her without makeup inragged jeans and sweatshirts or, worse, baggy T-shirts. Dressed up, in clothes that fit her perfectly, she was actually pretty.
    â€œYou can close your mouth, Theodore,” she teased, delighted at his response.
    He did. He shook his head. “You look nice,” he said. It was an understatement, compared to what he was thinking. Jillian was a knockout. He frowned as he thought how her new look might go down in town. There were a couple of younger men, nice-looking ones with wealthy backgrounds, who might also find the new Jillian a hot item. He might have competition for her that he couldn’t handle.
    Jillian, watching his expressions change, was suddenly insecure. He was scowling as if he didn’t actually approve of how she looked.
    â€œIt isn’t too revealing, is it?” she worried.
    He cleared his throat. “Jake, you’re covered from stem to stern, except for the hollow of your throat, and your arms,” he said. “What do you think is revealing?”
    â€œYou looked…well, you looked…”
    â€œI looked like a man who’s considering the fight ahead.”
    â€œExcuse me?”
    He moved a step closer and looked down at her with pure appreciation. “You really don’t know what a knockout you are, all dressed up?”
    Her breath caught in her throat. “Me?”
    His big hands framed her face and brought it up to his dancing black eyes. “You.” He rubbed his nose against hers. “You know, I really wonder if you taste as good as you look. This is as good a time as any to find out.”
    He bent his head as he spoke and, for the first time in their relationship, he kissed her, right on the mouth. Hard.
    Whatever he expected her reaction to be, the reality of it came as a shock

Three
    J illian jerked back away from him as if he’d offended her, flushing to the roots of her hair. She stared at him with helpless misery, waiting for the explosion. The auditor had cursed a blue streak, called her names, swore that he’d tell every boy he knew that she was a hopeless little icicle.
    But Theodore didn’t do that. In fact, he smiled, very gently.
    She bit her lower lip. She wanted to tell him. She couldn’t. The pain was almost physical.
    He took her flushed face in his big hands and bent and kissed her gently on the forehead, then on her eyelids, closing them.
    â€œWe all have our own secret pain, Jake,” he whispered. “One day you’ll want to tell me, and I’ll listen.” He lifted his head. “For the time being, we’ll be best buddies, except that you’re wearing a skirt,” he added, tongue-in-cheek. “I have to confess that very few of my buddies have used a women’s restroom.”
    It took her a minute, then she burst out laughing.
    â€œThat’s better,” he said, and grinned. He cocked his head and gave her a very male appraisal. “You really do look nice.” He pursed his lips as he contemplated the ensemble and its probable cost.
    â€œThey’re loaners,” she blurted out.
    His black eyes sparkled with unholy glee. “Loaners?”
    She nodded. “Sassy Callister.”
    â€œI see.”
    She grinned. “She said that she had a whole closet of stuff she never wore. I didn’t want to, but she sort of bulldozed me into it. She’s a lot like her new husband.”
    â€œHe wears petticoats?” he asked outrageously.
    She glared at him. “Women don’t wear petticoats or hoop skirts these days,