The Patient Wolf (Wicked Urban Fantasy #1) by Karen Hodges Miller

Chris. He’s much more sophisticated. Actually I’d say he really is the kind of person Jonathan would like to be. That’s kind of amusing, isn’t it?” she added with a laugh. “One of the differences I had with Jonathan was he was always trying to be this sophisticated person…and he wasn’t. Alexander just is that person and he’s easy with it.
    “He’s traveled; he can talk about a lot of different subjects. Oh, and he dresses like a dream, Lindsey. He always wears suits that are obviously made for him. I don’t mean like having the man at the department store fix them hems and adjust the jacket. Alexander’s suits fit him like a glove. And even yesterday, when he was wearing jeans and a turtleneck, he somehow looked so sophisticated. Not like all the other guys in Rivelou, who just look sloppy when they dress down on a Saturday afternoon.”
    “Ooh, he sounds fabulous. If you decide you don’t want him, send him my way.”
    “Hah! You are much too happy with Joe to ever look at another man,” Ana said.
    “True, but I can still fantasize, can’t I? So you told me about his wardrobe, what does he look like?”
    “Wardrobe! That’s the important question, Lindsey. What should I wear tonight?”
    “Well, where is he taking you?” Lindsey asked reasonably.
    “I don’t know!” Ana said with frustration. “Why do men always do this? Chris did the same thing. Asked me out, then never gave me a hint of what the plan was.”
    “And did you ask him? No of course not. That would have been the reasonable thing for you to do.” Lindsey shook her head.
    “Well, I was so surprised at first—both times—that they were asking me out at all, and then when I did think about it, it kind of felt rude, you know?”
    “Yes, I can see exactly how you got yourself into this—both times. You just don’t have enough confidence in yourself,” chided Lindsey. “I could suggest you call this mystery professor up—what did you say his name was?”
    “Alexander Fontaine, and no! I couldn’t.”
    Lindsey shook her head and sighed. “Okay, we’ll just have to work with the information you’ve got. It’s like a game. ‘Where in the world will Alexander Fontaine take Ana?’ You say he is sophisticated. Sounds like the classy restaurant type. No chain restaurants for this guy. That means you need something classy and chic. Let’s check out your closet.” Lindsey shepherded Ana upstairs to her bedroom and happily began to rummage through her clothing.
    “Hmm…. not this. No, not this,” she murmured, throwing various skirts, blouses, and pants onto the bed.
    “Lindsey. You’re making a mess. You’re as bad as my little sister.”
    “I’ll help you clean up. Here,” she said, finally, holding out a black dress. “Put this on. Let’s see what we can do with this.”
    “I feel so out of my league with Alexander,” Ana said, as she pulled off her jeans and put on the tight black dress for Lindsey’s inspection. “I’m sure he’s really just being nice to me because he wants help with this seminar he’s planning. It is really important to him. I’m sure he isn’t interested in me. Not in that way.”
    Lindsey sighed. “Jonathan really did a number on you, didn’t he?” she said, guiding her friend to the full-length mirror that was nailed to the back of the bedroom door. “Just look at yourself, girl. You are a very beautiful person. You have fabulous hair. It’s thick and full,” Lindsey fluffed Ana’s hair out as she said this. “You’ve also got beautiful eyes and a figure to die for.”
    “And a thirteen-year-old daughter.”
    “And a charming thirteen-year-old daughter, and any man good enough for you is going to appreciate Sophie, too. There are men out there like that, you know. They aren’t all Jonathans.
    “Now, you wait right here. I’m going to get you my pearls. They’ll add just the right touch of class to that