Playing to Win

brought the car.”
    “It’s no trouble.”
    Especially no trouble for him since he got a glimpse of her spectacular thighs. Jesus, he’d have to focus on something else so he wouldn’t sprout a hard-on. Now that really would be unprofessional.
    He started up the SUV and turned to her. “What do you like to eat?”
    “I’m not fussy. Wherever you want to go is fine with me.”
    “Okay.” He headed out, deciding that, instead of his favorite hamburger joint, they’d go to an actual restaurant, something that served a selection of stuff, since he had no idea what she liked. Though why that mattered to him, he had no idea. She was an imposition. He should make her eat big, fat, greasy burgers.
    “You didn’t tell them I was your client.”
    “Excuse me?” she asked, turning away from the window to look at him.
    “Jamarcus and Lon. You know they thought you were my date.”
    “Did they? I guess that’s their mistake then, isn’t it?” She returned to staring out the window.
    He smiled, shook his head, and pondered the mystery that wasSavannah Brooks. It was hard not to like her, even though he was opposed to working with her. Though he guessed it was the idea of an image consultant he didn’t like. He liked her just fine. Or maybe he was just attracted to her legs and her gorgeous face.
    Since it was unlikely she was going to date him, it didn’t matter what he thought about her personally, so they might as well get this over with. He pulled into the restaurant parking lot.
    “This place?” she asked.
    “What about this place?”
    “I don’t know. It’s charming. A little Italian restaurant named Carmen’s? You seem like a burger or steak kind of guy.”
    “I come here a lot. Great food.”
    He came around to her side and assisted her in getting out of his SUV.
    “Thank you,” she said, smoothing her dress down over her legs as she stepped onto the parking lot. She grabbed her bag and they went inside, where Carmen was working as hostess today.
    “Cole,” she said, kissing both his cheeks. “So nice to see you here.” She looked over at Savannah and a gleam sparked in her eyes. “Oh, you have a new girl.”
    To Carmen, who was nearly eighty, every woman was a “girl.”
    “Carmen, this is Savannah Brooks.”
    Carmen enveloped Savannah in her ample frame. “Honey, you’re beautiful.”
    “Thank you. Your restaurant is lovely.”
    Carmen looped her arm in Savannah’s. “Thank you. My father opened this restaurant. It’s very special to our family. Cole’s parents come here a lot. I’ve known this kid since he was five years old. He used to throw spaghetti on the floor.”
    Savannah laughed. “Is that right?”
    “You bet. He and his sister would come in here with their parents every Friday for dinner.”
    “That’s fascinating,” Savannah said.
    Carmen threw Cole a look over her shoulder. “Come along, sonny.”
    Maybe he shouldn’t have brought Savannah here.
    Cole followed as Carmen showed them to their table. He shook his head when Carmen led them to the one in the corner. The dark corner. He could tell Carmen they weren’t on a date, but what would be the point?
    “I’ll be sure to tell Mike not to bother you two so much during lunch, okay?” She kissed Cole on the cheek and left.
    “Carmen’s sweet. Misguided, but sweet,” Cole said as he held the chair out for Savannah.
    “Thank you. And yes, she’s very nice. Obviously, she’s practically family. You’ve been coming here this long?”
    He shrugged. “I told you. I like the food.”
    Savannah looked around. “It’s a great place. Very atmospheric. I love the dark tables, the cheery red-and-white curtains.” She inspected the olive oil and balsamic vinegar bottles. “So, your parents come here a lot?”
    He knew what she was doing—trying to get to know him better. He should have hit the steak house.
    Fortunately, Mike, their waiter, came over and took their order and brought their bread and drinks.
    Cole took a drink of his water and looked at Savannah. “I guess you can tell me what I have to look forward to.”
    “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather eat first?” Savannah asked with a smile.
    “It’s that bad?”
    She laughed. “I don’t think it’s bad at all. At first I’ll be shadowing you for a while, mainly to figure out your routine and watch your interactions. Then I’ll have some suggestions.”
    “Shadowing me? You mean to monitor my behavior.”
    “No. To get a feel for your