Master Touch - Softcover

"Therese, let's have dinner Monday night," he said.

She rummaged idly with the gadgets in her desk drawer and came out with a paper clip, which she began to bend. The arrival of the painting's owner somehow changed the intimacy that had developed between them. "We've already had takeout," she said. "Remember? That was your way of clearing the air between us."

"This will be at a real restaurant. Just us. Regular air. I promise."

She pursed her lips, considering. "Give me one good reason why I should go with you."

"You like to eat."

She smiled slowly. "This is true."

"You can have all the cheesecake with chocolate-cookie crust that you can eat," he promised.

She was strangely touched that he remembered. "Good memory."

"You don't have to pay for your half of the check," he added.

"Now, that's a compelling reason," she said, and he chuckled.

"I'll get you from the museum at six," he told her.

"What is this masterful tone?" she objected. "Is that supposed to be cool or something? Do you practice it? Is it like your macho driving?"

He groaned. "Would you just say yes for once?"

"No," she said, smiling.

But she was pretty sure he got the idea....