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THEO

Theo stood at his window gazing at the haphazard drizzle running down the pane. He moved his gaze across the street, viewing the mix of office buildings, low-rent apartments, and the rush of umbrellas hiding pedestrians anxious to escape the weather.

It was obvious Eve was flustered around him and going out of her way to avoid contact. An ironic smile tilted one side of his mouth. Most women went out of their way to meet him, but not Eve.

Eve. What an appropriate name.

Society would consider her average, but Theo was not one to follow the dictates of society. For him, the same powerful and magnetic quality had not diminished. It had been a long time since he'd felt her magnetism—a very long time—but he wouldn't think about that. He sighed and turned his errant thoughts elsewhere. He needed a plan that would allow him to get close enough to become her confidante.

EVE

I was up to my eyeballs multitasking by studying legal definitions and baking my "Don't Count the Calories Cookies." The forbidden ingredients included: peanut butter chips, milk chocolate chips, raisins, macadamia nuts, and lots of real butter. The ingredients were simply outrageous, but the cookies fantastic. It was my day off, and so far I'd gone to the grocery store and avoided you know who.

There was a knock on my door. I was expecting Suze, my friend from work. Her shift wasn't until later that afternoon, and I'd let it slip that I had a sort-of big test coming up. Being the magnanimous person that she is, she'd offered to come over and quiz me. She was always helping me with things and checking up on me. We had become close friends since she'd started working at the diner a couple of months previous. I didn't check the peephole before opening the door.

Uh-oh. Fantasy man was standing in front of me, and there I was stirring a bowl of cookie mix and wearing sweatpants and a T-shirt left over from the prehistoric age of dinosaurs. I had changed when I got back from the store. Because of him I never left my apartment without dressing nicely or applying makeup. How crazy was that! My insecurities were out of control.

"Hmm–hi," was all I could manage. He blinked and blessed me with a vision of sooty lashes. His clear blue gaze returned my muddy brown one and made me realize how easy it is for a moth to fly into a flame. I firmly stood my ground.

"Hello, Eve. I was wondering if I could ask you a favor."

Don't go there. My voice didn't listen to my mind and said of its own volition, "What can I do for you?" My mind tried to warn me again. Don't go there!

Theo thrust a manila envelope toward me. "I've been working on a book and need someone to give me input," he said sheepishly. "I've pecked out the first three chapters."

Bull's-eye; he's a writer. Oh great, that makes him even more intriguing. Don't take the envelope! Find an excuse.

When I reached forward to grasp the envelope, my fingers brushed his. I don't know whose hand shot away faster, mine or his. I was aware of why my hand shot away, but not his—probably because I wasn't his type and he didn't want me to get any wrong ideas. No problem there.

Theo was speaking again. "I suppose you've heard all the hype about the year 2012, so I've been researching ancient and modern prophesies concerning that year, and I'd like to get someone's input."

Even while I commanded myself to stay uninvolved, I said, "Oh–okay. How soon do you need it back?"

"In a couple of days, if possible."

"Sure, no problem." Big problem.

I was so engrossed in Theo's spellbinding blue eyes that I didn't hear Suze until she was standing beside us. Theo turned to her and stepped backward to allow her entrance into my apartment. I saw Suze's reaction and felt an inward rush of satisfaction knowing that she, too, would have to deal with his effect. Of course, Suze was young, tall, thin, blond, uncommonly beautiful, funny, everything a guy wanted. They would make a terrific couple.