“Of course he did,” she said bitterly. “He hates to lose so much he’ll do anything to win, no matter how unconscionable.”

“Not the kindest assessment coming from a woman in love.”

She stared at a point right above his eyebrows. “I’m not in love. And you need to leave.”

“I could do that, but... it seems Annabelle’s stuck her nose in this whole affair, and she’s decided you and Coop need some kind of closure. I don’t know what it is with women and closure, but there you have it. I should warn you that dealing with me is easier than being forced to deal with my wife. I know she seems decent, but inside, she’s a desperado.”

“Annabelle wants me to do this?”

“She’s real big on that ‘closure’ thing.” He sounded regretful. “If I screw this up, I promised I’d call her, and she’ll be over here right away.”

Piper collapsed. She could fight the men, but not Annabelle.

A wave of weariness came over her. “I’ll meet him, but only in public.” She slumped back in her chair. “Big Shoulders Coffee tomorrow afternoon. And only if he gives me his word of honor that he won’t try to contact me again afterward.”

Somehow she’d pull herself together enough to get through it. The coffee shop was well lit and small enough for conversations to be overheard, so he couldn’t get too heated, and she’d be guaranteed to keep her clothes on.

“Hold on.” Heath whipped out his cell.

She wanted to scream. Or cry.

This time the Python stayed inside. “Coop, she’ll meet you, but only in public—Big Shoulders Coffee tomorrow afternoon—and only if you agree not to contact her again after that.” Heath listened, tapped his foot. “Uh-huh... Uh-huh... All right.” He hung up and looked over at her. “It has to be today. And not at Big Shoulders. He has a meeting at city hall, so he’ll see you in Daley Plaza right afterward. Two o’clock. It doesn’t get much more public than that. I think you should take the deal.”

How could winning matter so much? He already had her heart. Now he wanted to stomp it to death.

“Agree?” Heath said.

Her shoulders slumped. “Agree.”

“I’ll never complain about livestock again,” he muttered as he crossed to the door and let himself out.

She shot across the rug, flung the door back open, and yelled into the parking lot. “I hope you choke on your blood vegetables!”

He turned and gave her a thumbs-up, whatever that meant.

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