“You were?” He blushed; this time she was sure of it. “Okay then. Where do we start?”

  She’d thought about what she would say to him, but those carefully rehearsed words had deserted her. “Well...” It was hard to think when he was looking at her so intently. “I think the changes should be organic.” She stopped. “No, that’s such a trite, over-used expression. What I’m trying to say is that change should come from inside you, not from me. How do you see yourself evolving? If you know that, I think we can formulate a plan.”

  He raised his eyebrows, and she took it as a sign of approval. “I’ve thought about it, like you suggested. What I do know is that I don’t want to become one of those slick citified types. I live a casual lifestyle and I want my clothes to be casual, but a bit more stylish.” He blushed again. “This is hard to talk about.”

  She reached across the table and touched the back of his hand. “You’re doing great.” His hands were beautiful; she hadn’t noticed that before. Large, masculine hands, but the way he held his coffee they were gentle, too. She had an almost uncontrollable desire to slip her hand inside his. Somehow she knew she would be safe there. Lauren would definitely have something to say about that...if she told her.

  “Is there anything else you don’t want to change?” she asked. It was a roundabout way of getting the information, but whatever worked.

  He briefly touched his hair. “I’m not sure if I want to cut my hair. It’s kind of who I am.” He glanced around the coffee shop at the other men. “They all look the same with their styled hair and half-shaven faces. Don’t get me wrong, it’s fine for them, but that look isn’t for me.”

  “I’ve been thinking about your hair, and I think you should keep it.”

  “You do?” He looked like a kid on Christmas morning. “I thought for sure you’d want me to cut it off.”

  “No, but I’d like to see you change it.”

  He spread his hands. “How?”

  “I’d like to see it pulled back and tied. Maybe with a piece of leather, but pulled back fairly tight to your head.” She watched as he absorbed the idea. “Trust me on this. You’ll have to beat the ladies off with a stick. Oh, and there’s one more thing.”

  “Hold on. I’m still picturing myself being swarmed by the ladies.” He made an elaborate show of thinking, but couldn’t hold the pose and broke into a smile. “Okay, what else?”

  “I want you to lose the glasses.” She reached across and gently removed the offending eyewear. “You have the most gorgeous eyes, Freddie. You should show them off. Besides, glasses just don’t work with the pulled-back hair thing.” She put the glasses down on the table and visualized what the new Freddie would look like. Damn, but he was going to be hot!

  “Have you ever had contacts?”

  “No, but my snowboarding buddies were telling me that I should get them.” He squinted at her across the table. “I guess I could do it.”

  “You snowboard?” She couldn’t quite picture him as a rider. Cody had never been able to master it and was forever putting them down. Particularly when they whizzed by him on the slopes.

  “Yeah.” He put his glasses back on and his eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. “I started up on Grouse and Seymour when I was a kid in school, and I’ve been doing it ever since.”

  Funny, she’d never seen him there when she was waiting for Cody. “Do you still go there?”

  “Ah...no. I prefer Whistler.”

  The big time. The idea of him besting Cody gave her a guilty flush of pleasure.

  “Okay then.” She glanced at her watch. “We know where we’re going to start.” She held up three fingers. “Hair, contacts and clothing. The rest we can work on as we go along.” She started to slip her arms into her coat. He jumped up and held it for her, his hands lingering for a moment on her arms. It felt good.

  And then her words seemed to sink in. “The rest?” He stepped back. “What else is there?”

  She looked up at him. She’d been right about those broad shoulders. For a wild, crazy moment she wondered what he looked like under those baggy clothes. “Well, you said you’d like to improve your social skills, so I thought we might spend some time talking about what women like in a relationship.”

  He swallowed...hard. His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. “What women like?”

  “Just general stuff.” Why was he looking at her like that? “From a woman’s point of view. If we’re going to do this, we may as well do it right.”

  They walked toward the door and he pulled it open for her. “I suppose so. But now it’s time for you to do some thinking,” he said.

  “Me? About what?”

  “About how I can repay you for helping me.” He held up a hand. “I know you don’t want money, but there must be some way I can thank you for all this.”

  She laughed. It felt good, and she realized that she hadn’t been laughing enough recently. “Let’s wait and see how it turns out first, okay?” They walked up the street and parted at the corner. She could feel him looking at her all the way across to the other side, but when she turned to look a bus had pulled up, blocking him from view. It wasn’t until then that she realized they hadn’t made another date.

  Chapter Five

  He didn’t show up for coffee the next morning. She told herself that it was nothing; she wasn’t disappointed. So why did she look up eagerly every time the door opened? And why was she casting a critical eye at every man in the coffee shop, comparing them to Freddie?

  Get a grip, she told herself, grabbing the remainder of her coffee and bolting out onto the street. She stopped at the intersection and looked in all directions, but eventually she had to admit that he wasn’t around. She forced herself to cross the street, and to keep walking without looking back. There! That would fix him. Yeah, right, said the voice in her head. You really showed him. The day was interminable, and at a quarter after four she lost focus and deleted an entire contract from her database. She took a deep breath, managed to stay calm, and retrieved it. But she was shaken, unwilling to risk a more serious mistake.

  “I’m outta here,” she said to her supervisor with a thin smile. “Tomorrow will be better, I promise.”

  * * *

  “Guess what, Babe?” Why hadn’t she put a stop to it when Cody called her that? She hated it...really hated it. But it was a discussion they should have in person.

  “What?” she said, switching the phone to her other hand. “You sound excited.”

  “I’m off to Toronto on the weekend for sales conference.” She could visualize him on the other end, puffed up with self-importance.

  “That’s short notice, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah. The area manager had to bow out at the last minute and they chose yours truly to attend. But the good news is, we’re going to take on another luxury line. Isn’t that great? A whole new customer base; cross-marketing, everything.”

  No way could she even begin to match his enthusiasm. “Sounds great.”

  She needn’t have worried. He was completely wrapped up in himself. “How long will you be gone?” she asked. Maybe she’d get lucky and he’d stay there.

  “Three or four days. They want us to go to the vehicle assembly plant for a full indoctrination on the new line. Look, Babe. I probably won’t see you before I go.”

  She waited for the little twinge of disappointment that should have followed his words, but it didn’t come. “I understand,” she said. “Have a good time and I’ll see you when you get back.”

  They disconnected and for a moment she wondered who he was with tonight, then realized she didn’t really care. She wandered into her bedroom to choose her outfit for tomorrow morning. Now that was something she could get enthusiastic about.

  * * *

  Lauren’s cold had developed into the flu. Samantha felt guilty for thinking this way, but her friend’s absence meant that she could arrive precisely ten minutes later than usual at the coffee shop. If Freddie wasn’t there, so be it, but she wasn’t going to sit there again, watching for him to come in; missing him. Okay...she admitted it. She’d missed him when he didn’t show yesterday. Missed his gentle teasing, his deep, rumbling voice and the way he pulled out her chair, opened the door for her.

  Her steps slowed as she approached the coffee shop. How had he become so important in her life? And so quickly? Only a week ago he hadn’t even been a blip on her radar, and yet here she was, practically breaking out in a rash at the thought of seeing him again. She looked through the glass, but didn’t spot him. Had he changed his mind about the whole thing?

  She considered walking past, but her feet didn’t get the message. She opened the door and went inside. New plan; she’d pick up a coffee and take it to work. After all, this had been her coffee shop before he barged in and spoiled everything.

  The barista saw her and motioned her over to the pick-up counter. “Here, your coffee’s ready,” she said, smiling broadly.

  “But...” Samantha frowned. “I haven’t paid yet.”

  “No worries.” Another smile. “Your gentleman friend paid.” She nodded her head toward a table by the window.

  Samantha turned and her pulse went into overdrive. Good Lord! What had she unleashed on the unsuspecting women of Vancouver?

  Somehow she made it across the coffee shop. He rose and pulled out a chair for her. “You look lovely this morning” he said, holding the chair until she was settled. “I was beginning to worry that you weren’t coming.”

  For a moment she couldn’t speak. His hair was pulled back and tied at the nape of his neck. It lay smoothly against his head, thick and glossy and she had to stop herself from reaching out to touch it. She’d been right; the look suited him.

  “So what do you think?” He looked worried. “Is this what you had in mind?” He turned the full force of those amazing eyes on her. He was a different person without the glasses. Maybe not inside, but outside he was sex on a stick.

  Samantha took a tentative sip of coffee. “I didn’t recognize you.” She couldn’t tell him what she really thought. “You look great. Different, but great.”

  “I’m glad you approve.” He smiled then and her gaze was drawn to his mouth. Without the distraction of the hair and the glasses his full, generous lips were more noticeable and she forced herself to look away. “I took a few hours off yesterday” he said. “I thought I might as well get the hair and glasses part over with and clear the decks for some shopping.” He looked at her hopefully.

  “Your employer sounds pretty understanding.”

  Was that a flicker of amusement in his eyes? “Yeah, they’re cool. As long as the work gets done, that’s what matters.”

  “Lucky you. I went home about half an hour early yesterday and you’d think the world had come to an end.”

  “Really?”

  “No, not really. I’m exaggerating, but there’s not a lot of flexibility in a law office.” She started to relax, and studied him openly. Oh yeah, no doubt about it...underneath that quiet exterior he simmered with sexuality. Already a couple of women in the coffee shop were giving him the eye. “What type of work do you do, Freddie? IT covers a lot of ground these days.”

  He thought for a moment before responding. “I work for a computer game developer.”

  “Do you like it?”

  He gave a short little laugh. “Yes, fortunately. I do.”

  She tilted her head and studied him. “You don’t fit my preconceived notion of a computer nerd. I envision gamers shut up in smoky bedrooms playing their games for hours on end.”

  “Some of them do.”

  “I remember in school you were always sketching things. Is that what you do now?”

  “You remembered.” He seemed pleased. “Not so much now, but in the early days some of my characters were used.” He glanced at his watch.

  “I guess we have to go, huh? I really don’t feel like going to work today.”

  “Same here, but I have a conference call in half an hour.”

  “And I have to finish that contract I almost fouled up yesterday.” She stood up reluctantly. “So, when should we start shopping for clothes?” She looked up at him. “I’m coming with you, you know.”

  He opened the door awkwardly, and for a moment she was encircled by his arms. “I’m looking forward to it. I’m free any time you want me.” His cheeks flushed. “You know what I mean.”

  If only he knew. “How about tomorrow?” They were nearing the intersection.

  “Tomorrow’s great. Shall we meet for breakfast, and then go on from there?” He smiled down at her. “How about the coffee shop at ten? Unless you’d prefer to get started earlier.”

  “No, ten is great.” The light changed and she stepped off the curb. “See you then.”

  He was still watching when she got to the other side. She smiled and waved. It was going to seem like a long time ‘til tomorrow morning.

  * * *

  “Good morning, sir. What can I do–” Chloe stopped and stared. “Is that you? My God, you look fantastic!” She stood up and came around to the front of the reception desk, assessing him openly. “Does the new you want some coffee?”

  “That would be great, thanks. And that conference call?”

  “It’s all set up for 9:30, as scheduled.” She walked toward the coffee room, shaking her head.

  Freddie caught sight of himself in a glass partition as he walked to his office. It would be a while until he got used to the new look, but he liked it. More importantly, Samantha had approved.

  Samantha. He liked the way her name felt in his mouth when he said it. She’d looked particularly tasty this morning, as though she were meeting someone special. His heart sank. Why did he keep torturing himself? She was obviously in a relationship. It was killing him to think about her with someone else. The guy was an idiot, but there was no way he could say anything about that. He’d just have to bide his time.

  Chapter Six

  “So he looks hot, does he?” Lauren wrinkled up her nose. “I’m having a hard time picturing that.”

  Samantha rolled her eyes. “Trust me on this one. He’s got it in spades.” She paused, took a sip of wine. “We’re going shopping tomorrow.”

  Her friend was uncharacteristically quiet.

  “Laur, is something wrong?”

  “Lying around here I’ve had a lot of time to think, and I’m wondering where this is going, you know? I don’t want to see you get hurt. You’re starting to sound like you’re falling for him. Need I remind you that you have a boyfriend?”

  “I thought you hated him,” Samantha countered.

  “I do, but don’t you think you should get rid of him first? Clear the decks, so to speak?”

  “He’ll be gone most of the week. I was thinking about ending it when he gets back.”

  Lauren nodded her approval. “Even if nothing happens with Freddie, you’d be better off without Cody.” She made a face. “He’s such a pig.”

  “What do you mean, ‘if nothing happens’?”

  “Hello. Earth to Samantha. You don’t think he’s doing this for you, do you?”

  The thought had crossed her mind. Especially when he looked at her in that intimate way that made her breath catch in her throat. “No, of course not.”

  “Well, then. Once he’s out there, he’ll be snapped up in no time.”

  The idea made Samantha sick to her stomach. “I’ve seen women looking at him already.”

  “There you go.” Lauren softened her tone. “Listen, kid. If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen. But don’t count on it, okay?” She paused, tapped a finger against her lips. “Although I’d love to find out if the rumour’s true.”

  “You’re disgusting.” Samantha couldn’t help but laugh.

  “And I suppose you haven’t thought about it.”

  “You won’t let me forget.”

  Lauren wagged a finger. “Don’t avoid the question.” She spoke in a lawyerly voice. “Do you or do you not wonder about the size of Freddie’s package?”

  “No. Yes.” Samantha swallowed. “Maybe.”

  A key turned in the lock and Zach came in, bearing a bouquet of flowers.

  “Saved by the boyfriend.” Samantha shot a warning glance at her friend. “I’ll get going and leave you guys alone.”

  * * *

  He was waiting for her when she arrived the next morning. “I wasn’t sure if you wanted coffee, but I ordered one anyway.” He waved at the barista; she acknowledged and sent an employee around with Samantha’s coffee.

  “You must tip them well for this kind of service.”

  He shrugged. “It’s worth it.”

  She took an appreciative sip then looked across at him. Lauren was only partly right. She wasn’t starting to fall for him–she’d already fallen. But there was one thing that had been bothering her. “I need to ask you something,” she said. “It’s about this work you do.”

  Something moved behind his eyes. “Okay.”

  “The company you work for. Do they make games that demean women?”

  Relief flooded his face. “Why, is that a deal breaker?”

  “Just answer the question.”

  He reached across the table and picked up her hand. “No. We don’t make games that demean women, and we never will.” His touch sent sparks zinging through her veins. “As a matter of fact, some of our most popular characters are kick-ass women.”

  “What if they decide to change the rules? I understand that games featuring women-bashing are popular with some guys.”

  “Not gonna happen,” he said, releasing her hand. “You have my word on it.”

  She studied him for a moment. “Okay, then; enough said. Where are we having breakfast?”

  “Shall we go over to the North Shore? I understand there are some good menswear stores over there. There’s a good restaurant there as well, overlooking the SeaBus terminal.”

  “Are we going on the SeaBus?”

  He looked down at her shoes. She’d worn strappy, high-heeled wedgies.

  “Nah, I think we’d better take my car. I live right around the corner.”