Free The Best Bet by Hebby Roman Page B

face fell and then brightened again. “You can’t have seen them all, not the headliners.
    Don’t they change every couple of weeks?”
    She laughed. “You catch on fast.” Tapping her chin with one finger, she said, “Let me think. How about David Copperfield at the MGM?”
    “Sounds great. I’ll phone for tickets.”
    Gazing into his open face, she smiled and arched her eyebrows, but he didn’t take the hint. She squeezed his arm, murmuring, “My knight in shining armor, ready to slay dragons for me, like getting tickets to see Copperfield on a Friday night in Vegas.”
    His smile turned to a frown. “You mean it’s impossible, don’t you?”
    “Copperfield’s been sold out for weeks.”
    “Then why did you—?”
    “Just testing, I guess.”
    What had made her set him up? She didn’t know. It had been so long since she’d had a boyfriend, she didn’t even know how to act. How stupid was that? Not that Rafael was really a boyfriend. He’d be gone in a few days.
    “Is there any other show you might want to see?” Her silly gambit didn’t seem to have squashed his enthusiasm.
    She had a flash of inspiration. “Actually, why don’t we go to a comedy club? You can catch some really fresh talent at those clubs.”
    “Sounds like fun. But leave it to me, okay? I want you off duty for tonight. I’ll make all the arrangements, including dinner. ¿Me entiendes?”
    She grinned. “ Yo te entiendo . How am I doing, maestro ?”
    “ Muy bien. ” He grinned back.
    She started for the door, turned part way around and said, “One thing more.”
    “Yes.”
    “Lose the glasses, they’re awful. Por favor .”
    #
    When he exited the bank of elevators, Rafael saw her immediately, standing in the middle of the main lobby. She’d taken her long russet hair and piled it on top of her head in a whimsical knot with a few stray curls loosed, caressing her throat. Gazing at the beautiful outline of her cheekbones, he approved of the new hairdo, which displayed the fine bone structure of her face. Then he let his gaze wander down.
    Gone was the severe business suit, replaced by a black tube dress. The dress was plain to the point of being austere: no lace, no rhinestones, and no frills, just black fabric that clung in all the right places. Her golden shoulders were bare, except for insubstantial wisps of spaghetti straps. The dress stopped mid-thigh, exposing her tanned and muscular legs in stiletto black heels, adorned with red sequins on their toes. She carried a matching black satin clutch that was also adorned in red sequins.
    Staring at her, his throat went dry. He could hardly believe his good luck. Could hardly believe she’d consented to be his date for tonight and not because it was part of her job.
    Confessing his charade had been one of the most difficult things he’d ever done. Facing her had been like being caught in the middle of a thunderstorm—thunder and lightning and lashing rain, and then the calm after the storm.
    Straightening his tie, he hoped he wasn’t overdressed. If he was, he’d ditch the tie and even his best sports jacket—just like he’d lost the glasses.
    “Hi,” he greeted her.
    Leaning forward, he touched his lips to hers, remembering their earlier kiss. He liked to think the kiss they’d shared had changed her, softened her somehow. After their kiss, she’d turned lighthearted and even teased him, shedding her serious corporate demeanor. And if the dress was any indication of her state of mind, he would bet she was ready to have fun tonight.
    “You look great,” he said. It was an understatement.
    “You don’t look so bad, either.” Though her words were flippant, the tone of her voice held a note of genuine approval. Relaxing a fraction, he was glad he’d decided to dress up rather than down.
    Reaching for her arm, he asked, “What’s this?” He’d been so overawed by her figure in the form-fitting dress that he hadn’t noticed the black-and-red shawl draped