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She crossed her arms "I’ll pass"

SAVANNAH HELD HER BREATH AS HAL SHOOK HANDS with Cole She had to wait outside the recording studio, which see for Cole even if she was sitting right next to hiht answers in his mouth Whatever he said, he’d have to own

Hal started slow, talking about Cole’s hometown connection to St Louis Obviously tense at first, Cole see style of questions about how Cole would fit into the Trader lineup Cole handled those answers just fine He had enthusias the teaanization

It was perfect

"So tell me, Cole Given your past and the fact you’ve often been in the li reasons, why do you think the Traders took a gae in Cole’s expression, the way he leaned back in his chair

Please think before you answer, Cole

He opened his mouth, then looked across the room to the booth where she sat He took a deep breath and said, "Well, Hal, you can’t believe everything you hear about ave Hal a grin "Of course they are"

Hal gave Cole a disbelieving look "Nothing printed about you previously is the truth"

"Hey, I’ that’s been said about er I learned a few lessons"

"So you’re turning over a new leaf with the Traders"

"Clean slate New start And in answer to your question, the Traders took a gamble on me because I’hed "Pretty bold state there are three awesome receivers on the team"

"I’m confident in my skills Obviously the Traders are, too Otherwise they wouldn’t have pickedabout what I can do, I hope you and the Trader fans will tune in to see what I can do"

Savannah relaxed her shoulders Excellent answer And Hal wasn’t a contentious interviewer, so he didn’t get into the negatives about Cole’s past Cole and Hal shook hands after the interview and Cole ave her a smile "Did I pass?"

"You did okay"

"I did better than okay and you know it"

They walked toward the front door and outside "Hal was easy on you He’s not going to besmirch anyone with the Traders because he doesn’t want to risk his press pass to the locker room The real test will come when you have to face national h"

"We need to work through some of the questions that will come up when you do have those interviews" She pulled her phone out of her pocket and scrolled through her calendar "I have some free time tomorrow afternoon"

Cole shook his head "Can’t I have Gavin’s wedding co stuff to do over the next few days"

"Oh, that’s right Fine We’ll start on Monday"

"That’ll work"

"I guess I’ll head out, then"

She walked to her car and he opened the door "Savannah"

She turned "Yes"

"You wanna talk about last night?"

"What about last night?"

"That kiss between you and ht at your place"

"Nothing happened, Cole Nothing that’s going to be repeated, anyway, so there’s nothing to talk about"

"If that’s the way you want to play it"

"It is It’s best if we keep our relationship strictly business" The cheuard around hiain

And he knew she was attracted to hione

"Sure I’ll see you Monday"

He turned and she slid into her car Noas her turn to smile

He’d see her well before Monday

EIGHT

COLE STOOD IN THE SMALL, SUFFOCATING ROOM IN the back of the church, feeling claustrophobic and wishing this were over already so he could be at the bar But he’d do anything for his cousin Gavin, including hanging back here to wait for the ceremony that was already ten minutes late

"Leave it to Liz to need to make an entrance," Gavin said as he looked out the

"Maybe she bailed on you"