Truth

don’t like being bullied into this situation. However, I see signs of compromise. It gives me hope.”
    “ Compromise?”
    “ In your own way, you’re trying to be accommodating. If you weren’t you would’ve tried to stop me from leaving last night, or you would’ve insisted on riding with me. I see that.”
    Tony nodded, considering her words. Then he asked, “Hope, what do you hope for?”
    “ That this won’t last long. That we can remain friends and be honest with the world.”
    As she spoke, clouds darkened his gaze. “I see,” he took a drink of his coffee. “I hope... you change your mind.”
    “ See what I mean. That’s progress. I honestly don’t intend to change my mind. However, I will admit, when you aren’t being a controlling ass who’s threatening my friends or my friends’ company,” she smiled coyly, “you can be charming.”
    “ Thank you, my dear.” He snorted, obviously shocked by her candor, and replied, “When you are being bold and cheeky, the spark in your gorgeous green eyes makes my initial irritation fade. At that point, I see you for what you truly are.”
    “ Oh really, what am I?”
    “ Sexy as hell,” he leaned closer. His words slowing to a sultry tenor, “And when you are being reticent and genteel, I find you irresistible.”
    She felt her insides quicken and her cheeks blush, just like in the picture. “Well, then I guess I can behave in any manner without fear of consequences.”
    “ As long as you are doing it with me, my affection will prevail.”
    Claire shivered at the possible implications of his words. Playfulness left her tone, “Tony, I don’t intend to be with you all the time. I’m not moving back to Iowa.”
    “ I’m a busy man, Claire; I can’t be flying to California every other day.”
    “ Then we won’t be seeing each other every other day. By the way, when do you need to be back?”
    Dryly he said, “I have my own plane. I don’t have a schedule to maintain.”
    “ I’m aware of your plane. I thought you might have meetings or a date or something.”
    The clouds returned, “I won’t be having any dates with anyone except you. That was the point of the news release.” His voice lowered as his tone hardened, “And neither will you.”
    She sat straighter, “This is what we need to discuss. Define date .”
    His hesitant expression glared -- his gaze loomed shades darker than moments before. “A date is the going out in public of a man and a woman.” He scanned the cafe. “I suppose it could be a man and a man or a woman and a woman; we are in California.”
    “ Well, that happens in Iowa also. But my point is two people can go out in public and be friends, not dating.”
    “ I would prefer you didn’t.” Before she could choose the words to her reply, he rephrased, “It would not be publically acceptable, so the answer is no .”
    Trying to keep her voice low, “I’m telling you, not asking your permission.”
    “ This is not debatable.”
    “ Then what is?” She leaned across the table as indignation infiltrated her words, “Why are we even here, discussing anything at all? If it is all predetermined, just lay out the ground rules.” She tried to keep her voice low and restrain her emotions. “That’s the way you operate. Things don’t change!” Moisture stung her eyes as tears threatened her facade of strength. She stared and waited for the explosion. Claire knew it wouldn’t be overt. Their location was too public, perhaps a whispered clandestine threat.
    Although his eyes remained dark, the tips of Tony’s lips moved upward. He reached out and held the hands that lay on the table in front of him. “Yes, sexy as hell.”
    Claire removed her hands, sat back against the chair, and pressed her lips together.
    His tone lightened with a change of subject, “You know, I don’t think the cooler weather is good for you. You look pale. You need sun.”
    “ Thanks, I quite like the west coast.”
    Tony watched, waiting for more outbursts. Finally he said, “I concede. Some things are debatable. I would make you move to Iowa if I could. Don’t get me wrong. It isn’t that I am incapable. It is that I want you there of your own free will. So that move is debatable.”
    “ Not debatable -- I’m not going.”
    “ Now you see. We each have issues where we don’t want to budge. Let’s discuss public events.”
    Claire settled back and listened. Tony talked about the different public events and