She left the bedroom and Queenie jumped off the bed and followed behind to supervise while she wrapped the Clue game for Zach. She took extra care with the bow, making a big, fluffy one out of red curling ribbon. "There," she said at last, admiring her work. "That looks downright festive." And tempting. Just like her, she decided with a smile.

She picked up the cat and gave her a kiss on the head. "Wish me luck."

Queenie purred as if to say, "You go, girl."

The streets were slushy and slick but it wasn't the driving conditions that made Merilee's heart race as she drove across town. Would Zach think she was pushy? Would he ask her in? If he did, what could she say? Maybe: "Open your present and let's play." That definitely was pushy. Okay then: "I thought of you when I saw this." That sounded dorky. Well, she'd think of something, hopefully. She took a deep breath as she turned onto Lavender Lane, telling her heart to slow down.

A mechanical Santa waved a welcome as she drove past. She took it as a sign of encouragement.

But her heart started racing all over again when she pulled in behind Zach's SUV and got out of her car. This was probably a dumb idea. He would think she was pushy. He'd tell her he had plans. He probably wouldn't even let her in. Maybe she should go home, return the game to the toy store.

Maybe she shouldn't be such a wimp. That would be a total waste of new clothes. She clutched her package and started for the house.

She was halfway to the door when she heard the shoosh of wheels on slushy pavement and turned to see a big truck driven by what looked like an equally big man pulling up to the curb.

Zach and this man obviously had plans and here she was descending like some man-hungry she-buzzard. This had been a stupid idea. She'd just leave the present on the porch and walk away, saying h.e.l.lo to this new arrival as she pa.s.sed him. Yes, that was a good plan.

She propped the present on the door and started to leave.

The big man was coming up the walk now, carrying a Chihuahua clad in a Christmas red doggy sweater. "Hi there," he said.

"Hi," she said back. "I was just dropping off..." Bait. "Something."

"Zach's home. No need to run off." The big man looked her up and down appreciatively, taking in her tight jeans and the stiletto heel black boots Liz had insisted she get. The mint green parka Gloria had picked out for her showed off her new and improved slim middle.

She felt awkward and pleased all at once. And uncomfortable. "It looks like maybe you and he have plans."

"Nothin' much. Come on." He kept walking as if expecting her to turn around and follow him into the house. She would look really stupid if she kept running now, so she took a deep breath and turned around.

Zach met them at the door. "Hey, Merilee," he greeted her. His voice was casual but his eyes were big. He looked her up and down and blinked. "Is that a new coat?"

It's new everything, right down to my underwear. She clutched the collar of the green parka, pulling it tight around her throat. "I went shopping." Wouldn't her sisters have been impressed with that little bit of sparkling conversation? Ugh.

"You look good. Come on in. I guess you met Ray."

"Just now," Merilee said. "Hi, Ray."

"Hi," Ray said. He held up the little dog. "And this is Tacky."

Kind of like her showing up unannounced with a board game and new undies.

"Short for Taquito. He's my boy," Ray said, giving Tacky's head a pat with his big hand.

He set the dog down and it started trotting down the hallway. Halfway to the kitchen Tacky encountered Tom the cat. Tom arched his back, puffed out his fur, and hissed. Tacky yapped and took a step back. The cat let out another fierce hiss. That was all it took to send the Chihuahua running back to his owner.

"That cat of yours is a bully," Ray said, picking up his dog as the cat marched into the living room.

Zach just laughed. To Merilee he said, "As you can see Tom is doing a lot better."

"It looks like he's made a full recovery," she said, and then couldn't think of anything else. So she thrust the package at him. "I just stopped by to drop this off."

"Yeah?" Zach looked surprised.

Actually, he looked well beyond surprised. Can you say deer-in-the-headlights? She'd known it all along. She was being pushy. She could feel her cheeks warming. "I'd better get going."

"No. Come on in," he insisted, motioning in the direction of the living room.

She shook her head and started for the door. "You've got plans."

"Not really," said Ray. "We were just gonna hang and play some Halo." He motioned to the present in Zach's hand. "I told you that you needed a tree. Now you got no place to put your present."

"So I'll open it now," Zach said and ripped off the ribbon and wrapping paper.

Merilee's cheeks got hotter as the paper came off to reveal the Clue game.

"I haven't played that since I was nine," said Ray. "Forget Halo. Let's play Clue. Take off your coat and stay awhile," he said to Merilee.

She took off her coat and Zach's mouth dropped, right along with the game. "Uh, nice outfit," he managed as he bent to pick it up.

"Very nice," agreed Ray, his gaze drifting toward her chest. "So, Merilee, you live somewhere around here?" he asked, leading her into the living room and leaving Zach to follow.

She smiled. Gloria had been so right about the clothes.

The next thing she knew, she was seated next to Ray on Zach's leather couch with Zach sitting cross-legged on the floor opposite them, spreading out the board game on the coffee table. The guys each had a beer and she had the last can of c.o.ke from the fridge. As for Tacky and the orange cat, they had settled into an uneasy truce, Tacky trembling in his owner's lap and Tom posted as an aloof sentinel atop the back of a chair.

"Hey, man, start a fire," suggested Ray. He grinned at Merilee. "Let's get cozy."

Zach frowned at his friend but he obliged, digging some kindling from an old bucket next to the fireplace. Another few minutes and a fire gently crackled in the fireplace while Mannheim Steamroller serenaded them courtesy of Zach's iPod speakers.

Merilee stopped feeling pushy. Her heart even settled down to a normal pace. Except for when she'd sneak a peak at Zach. The mere sight of that strong jaw was enough to make it do cartwheels.

Forty minutes later, Ray announced, "Okay, I'm ready to make my final guess. Miss Scarlet did it in the billiard room with the candlestick."

Did it. A picture of her and Zach falling onto a pool table in a fit of pa.s.sion, sending b.a.l.l.s flying in all directions, flashed into Merilee's mind.

Zach scowled. "You rat b.a.s.t.a.r.d. I'd have had it next turn." He pulled the correct cards from the little envelope and spread them out on the game board. "Did you know who did it?" he asked Merilee.

You and me on the billiard table. She willed herself not to blush. Get your mind off of the pool table, girl. "Of course," she lied. She had no idea, really. It had been impossible to concentrate.

"Okay, we're playing again," Zach commanded, collecting the cards.

"I'll still win," Ray gloated. He shot an a.s.sessing glance Merilee's direction. "So, what's the story behind this anyway? Did Zach ask Santa for it for Christmas?"

No, I was just being pushy.

Zach answered before Merilee had to. "We got to talking about games we played when we were kids. I was bragging."

"Ha! So you came over to whip his a.s.s," said Ray. "How'd you two meet, anyway? And when were you going to introduce me?" he demanded of Zach.

"Merilee's the one who helped me with Tom."

Ray pointed a finger at her. "You're the cat whisperer. Awesome."

Zach had talked about her? Merilee felt pleased.

"I was telling him how you got Tom to eat," added Zach.

That was all? Well, it was a beginning, she supposed. She caught Zach doing a surrept.i.tious scan of her curves. A very good beginning.

They played another game and this time Zach won. Merilee still couldn't concentrate. Miss Scarlet was at it again, this time in the kitchen with a rope. Miss Scarlet was a busy girl. Merilee had never been busy. How depressing. It was definitely time to change that.

Except she wasn't sure she was making much progress in the change department. Zach seemed to appreciate her new look, but the one doing all the flirting with her was Ray. So far he'd complimented her on her outfit, suggested they get together and play Risk, and had finished up by asking her if she could come over sometime and help him train Tacky.

"Train him to do what?" Zach demanded.

Ray shrugged. "I dunno. I'll think of something," he added, grinning at Merilee.

"Trust me," said Zach in disgust. "You don't want to go anywhere near this turkey."

True. Not that Ray was a turkey. He seemed like a nice man. But the person Merilee wanted to get near was Zach. If only he was the one making the offer.

With the second game over she decided to go home. There wouldn't be any doing anything tonight with Zach's friend around anyway. Probably there wouldn't have been any doing anything even if it were just the two of them. She sure hoped neither of her sisters asked how the new clothes were working out when she saw them at her parents' on Christmas. Her wardrobe obviously wasn't the problem.

Ray hovered while Zach helped her into her coat. When he offered to walk Merilee to her car, Zach said, "I'm on it."

So maybe he wanted a minute alone with her? This was encouraging.

He shrugged into his parka and walked out the door with her. Suddenly she couldn't think of a thing to say. "I hope I didn't mess up your plans for the night," she tried. Wow, sparkling conversation, Merilee.

"Nah," said Zach. "I can play Halo anytime. This was nice."

They were at her car now. She took her time getting out her car keys. Then she looked up at him and managed what she hoped was an encouraging smile. This would be the perfect time for a kiss.

Instead of kissing her, he simply said, "Thanks for the game. And for letting me win."

"How'd you know?"

He chuckled. "And thanks again for helping me with Tom. I owe you."

She didn't want him to owe her. She wanted him to want her. Her sister Liz would have come right out and said that, but Merilee simply nodded. Still, her eyes couldn't hide what she felt. If he looked into them, really looked, he'd see the longing in her heart.

He didn't. He skimmed the surface and then shoved his hands in his jeans pockets. "Looks like it's going to start snowing again. Think you'll be okay getting home?"

If you kiss me I will. She nodded. And hoped.

He nodded, too, and took a step back.

She was almost overwhelmed by the urge to grab him by the coat and close the distance between them, but his body language told her that would be a mistake. Still, she couldn't just give up and drive away. Not yet.

"You know, I think we need a Clue rematch," she said. "If you'd like to bring the game over to my place I could order that pizza we never got."

Zach's smile froze. "Uh, Merilee."

Oh, dear. She'd spooked him. "Or not," she said quickly, her whole face suddenly burning.

"Merilee, I'm not looking to start a serious relationship. If I gave you that idea, I'm sorry."

"Why is that?" she blurted. Oh, boy. What was she thinking? Her face had to be beet red by now. Her skin felt hot enough to ignite her whole head like a matchstick. She should have gotten into her car like a good little fraidy-cat and gotten out of there. "I mean..." What did she mean? Why don't you want me? That was what she meant. And that was what she couldn't come out and ask. He might just tell her, and both the clothes and the att.i.tude adjustment were too new to stand up to a self-esteem a.s.sault.

"I don't do well with commitment," he said simply.

"Maybe you've never been in a relationship with the right woman," she suggested, heart hammering. Why, oh, why couldn't she leave this alone and drive away?

He shook his head. "Believe me. You don't want a guy like me. My family's screwed up big time. My mom left when I was a kid, my dad's an alcoholic, and me, well, like I said, I just don't do commitment." The tears pooling in her eyes must have been too much for him because he cleared his throat and said, "Don't get me wrong. If you ever need anything..."

What she needed he wasn't willing to give. "I understand," she lied. If I'd looked like your ex-girlfriend would you be making these excuses?

There was really nothing more to say, nothing more to do but get in her car and drive away. It was time to go home to her cat.

TEN.

Back home Merilee ripped off her s.e.xy new clothes and pulled on her sweats.

"There's not point wearing them here," she informed Queenie, who perched on the bed, keeping her company. What a waste of her sisters' money!

The phone rang and caller ID told her it was Liz. Oh, boy. Maybe she'd just let it ring ... forever. Hide out here in the apartment ... forever.

But that wouldn't work with her sisters. They'd just come over and pound on the door ... forever. She picked up.

"Oh," Liz said in surprise. I didn't actually expect you to answer. I was just going to leave a message for you to call me and tell me if you've seen your fireman yet."

"I saw him."

"Well, how'd it go?"

"It didn't," Merilee said miserably.

"He got a look at you in those new clothes and let you get away?"

Merilee heaved a sigh. "He's screwed up."

"No kidding, and maybe just about the stupidest man on the planet," Liz said in disgust. "Well, phooey on him then. There are more shoes in the store. Go shopping."