Interview with Love by Lisa Y. Watson Page B

cards back in the metal tin. He got up off the floor in front of the couch and extended his hand. “Come on, cheater. I’ll help you up.”
    Sienna accepted his help. “Thanks. You know for someone who cheats, you aren’t so bad.”
    Sienna retrieved their glasses of water from off the floor as well. She placed them on the tray of snacks she’d brought out when they had first arrived. Vaughn took the tray from her and headed for the kitchen. She followed him. “I can take care of that,” she told him after he opened the dishwasher.
    â€œI’ve got it.”
    They tidied up and turned off the light. Sienna walked him back into the foyer.
    â€œThanks for such a wonderful evening, Vaughn. I had a great time.”
    He gazed down at her. “Me, too.”
    â€œCall me when you get home. Ring once so I know you got there safely.”
    â€œRing once?” he chuckled. “My mother used to say that when we’d moved out on our own.”
    â€œMy parents still do. So don’t forget. Ring once,” she warned.
    This time Vaughn didn’t resist the urge to tweak her nose. “Will do.”
    She opened the front door to let him out. She watched him until he had backed out of her driveway and drove down the quiet street. Slowly, she closed and locked the door. Turning out the lights, Sienna set the alarm then went upstairs. Tired, she rushed through her nighttime regimen. Once in the bed, she snuggled under the covers and stared at the ceiling.
    Her day was simply fantastic. She smiled like a Cheshire cat when she recounted all the events. When the phone rang, she grabbed the receiver and hit the talk button. “Hello?”
    â€œWhy are you answering? I thought you just wanted me to ring once and hang up?”
    She heard Vaughn’s amused voice in her ear. She laughed. “Sorry, I forgot.” Without warning she hung up the telephone.
    A few seconds later the phone rang again.
    â€œHello?”
    â€œYou are certifiably crazy.”
    She burst out laughing. “Glad to know you arrived safely.”
    â€œYep, I did.”
    â€œWhat are you doing?”
    â€œWatching the moon shine through the skylight above my bed. You?”
    â€œThe same—minus the skylight.”
    â€œSo, which part of our outing was your favorite?”
    Sienna was thoughtful for a moment. “Hmm…I’d have to say you winning me Rocco.”
    â€œExcuse me?”
    â€œMy stuffed animal. I named him Rocco.”
    â€œI see. So where is Rocco now?”
    â€œRight next to me. I’ve got a King-sized bed so he’s got an entire wing to himself.”
    Vaughn chuckled at that, but then grew silent. “I’d say he is one lucky bear.”
    Sienna’s stomach lurched. Closing her eyes, she willed the lump forming in her throat to move. “You know, something tells me if we don’t say goodnight now we’ll be on this phone till dawn.”
    â€œSomething tells me you’re right. Goodnight,” Vaughn said, quietly. “I’m glad we gave the friend thing another try.”
    She couldn’t help the grin that stole across her face. “Me, too,” she admitted before hanging up the phone.

Chapter Ten
And So It Begins
    Sienna was checking in on her flight when her cell phone rang. “Sienna Lambert.”
    â€œWhere are you?”
    She smiled. “Chicago. You?”
    â€œSeattle,” Vaughn replied. “We had a skittish client that was thinking about going to another agency. Linda insisted I come out here immediately to keep that from happening.”
    â€œDid you convince them?”
    â€œWe’ll find out shortly. Right now we’re at Happy Hour going over how much more we’re going to do for them—for less.”
    â€œWell, if anyone can blow sunshine up someone’s—”
    â€œHey,” he interrupted.
    â€œI’m just saying…you’re good at