“It looks as if I was thinking what you were thinking.""Actually, you weren't. I was really thinking I needed to ask you a question.""What was that?""Do you think we should ask Goatee Guy how to find the caterer?" I smiled at him innocently as his eyebrows pratically met above his nose."I am never going to share my pet peeves with you again."”

“I like these boots," I told Vayl."Do you think they'd sell them to me cheap? I keep ruining mine.""Since when do you fret over money?" he asked with amusement. "I was not even sure you knew what to do with it."I shrugged. "A women has needs.""Still." said Cole. "Gosh, Jaz, why didn't you say something to me? I'd never let you suffer.”

“Okay, okay, backing off. Um, I suppose this would be a bad time to ask you to talk to Pete for me, you know, about the car?'His eyes widened. I could almost hear him thinking, Of all the nerve! 'You were driving,' he said.'But he likes you so much better than me.''That is because I do not keep wrecking the rentals.”

“He stepped colser. Looked deep into my eyes. Hesitated a millisecond, and then dove in. "I think I'm falling in love with you."Oh. No."Cole--""I know how you feel. About me. About him. I just wanted you to know-we could be good together. We could have a life. Kids. Vacations. On Sunday mornings I could serve you breakfast in bed."He gave me his I-know-you-find-me-irrestible grin. "And then I could make you something to eat.”

“Excellent."As soon as Bergman left earshot Vayl said, "I am going to buy you some pom-poms and a short pleated skirt-"Hey, if Bergman needs a cheerleard, that's what he's getting."Vayl tipped his head to one side and smiled wickedly. "I was just thinking perhaps I need a cheerleader as well."Cassandra got up. "If that's where this conversation is headed, I'm leaving."She wants some pom-poms too," I told Vayl.I do not!”

“Seriously?"I shrugged. "He can't suspect much if every time we're alone instead of talking I have my way with him." Cole shook his head. "You don't think it'll work?" I asked.He rolled his eyes. "Vayl might be a vampire, but he's also a guy. Who's about to be deliriously happy. Good God, if you work this right, he won't even be mad if finds out because of the way you decided to hide it from him.”

“Besides my professional goals, I have a couple of private ones, my man. One of those is to pet a kangaroo before I leave Australia. I understand there's lots of Eastern Grays around this area. What do you say? Are you in?'Bergman looked at him like he'd just made the worst financial investment of his life. 'Kangaroos are wild animals. I've heard they claw like girl fighters and kick like jackhammers. You're going to get your skull crushed.'Cole held up a finger. 'Or I'm going to pet a kangaroo. How cool would that be?”