Operation Babe-Magnet: Operation Babe-Magnet / Operation Beauty. Kristin Gabriel

the look we want? He seems so…different.”

      “Exactly,” Amy exclaimed. “He’s perfect.”

      Dexter didn’t say anything, because he completely agreed. The man in the mirror was perfect.

      He was also the spitting image of his brother, Sam.

      3

      THE NEXT DAY, DEXTER walked into Riley’s Bar and Grill, a popular restaurant located in downtown Pittsburgh. He saw Kylie waving at him from a corner booth. As he walked toward her, he noticed several women turning to look at him. It had been like that ever since Amy had worked her magic.

      He still wasn’t sure if he liked it.

      “Where are your glasses?” Kylie asked, as he slid into the booth across from her.

      “I stopped by a one-hour optical store at the mall and picked up some contact lenses.” He blinked twice. “They take a little getting used to, but at least I can see. What do you think?”

      “They’re fine, I guess.” She opened up her menu as the waitress approached their table. “But I liked your glasses better.”

      “I’ll have the quarter-pound burger with all the extras,” he ordered, “and a side of fries.” He handed the waitress his menu. She gave him a smile and a saucy wink before turning to Kylie.

      Dexter looked down at the green Formica table-top, unaccustomed to such blatant flirting. He could feel a blush burning in his cheeks. It was amazing to him that a simple change of hairstyle and wardrobe could completely alter the way women reacted to him. Especially since he was the same man on the inside that he’d always been.

      For the first time he wondered if Kylie was attracted to the new Dexter Kane. She certainly hadn’t treated him any differently since his transformation. If anything, she was more businesslike than before.

      “I’ve written up an itinerary,” she announced after the waitress walked off with their order. Opening her brown suede briefcase, she pulled out an array of multicolored file folders. “The tour officially starts tomorrow, but I’ve got a book signing scheduled for this afternoon as a trial run. Hopefully we can work out any kinks before we embark on the real thing.”

      “This afternoon?” His stomach flip-flopped. “Where?”

      “In New Castle. The manager is expecting us at three o’clock, so we should have plenty of time to get there. I’ll drive.”

      Dexter wondered if there was enough time for her to find a new Harry Hanover. He reached up to loosen his tie, then remembered that he wasn’t wearing one. So why did he feel like he was choking?

      “Then tomorrow we go on the road” she continued, sliding a yellow file folder across the table. “We’ve got book signings scheduled in Ohio, including the cities of Columbus, Cleveland and Youngstown. Plus a couple of radio and newspaper interviews. Then we’ll circle back into Pennsylvania and hit Altoona, Harrisburg, Allentown and Philadelphia. And I’ll be setting up more appearances during the tour. I’m hoping you’ll be in high demand.”

      He opened the folder and looked down at the itinerary. “Looks like we’ll keep busy for the next few weeks.”

      “Definitely.” She bent over her briefcase, sorting through more files.

      Dexter looked at her, admiring the way her curly brown hair was tamed into a loose French braid, with silky tendrils spilling over her cheeks and forehead. The style accentuated the alluring curve of her neck.

      She snapped her briefcase shut, then looked up at him. “I’ve already made reservations at hotels along the route. They’re nothing fancy, but a couple do have pools if you want to pack some swimming trunks.”

      He nodded, turning his attention to the detailed schedule in front of him. Kylie was definitely thorough. It looked as if she’d accounted for every possible contingency. The businessman in him was impressed.

      The other part of him was impressed by the clingy, hot-pink sweater she was wearing. It had a scooped neckline that drew his gaze to her generous breasts.

      “Dexter?”

      He blinked and looked up. “What?”

      “Do you have any questions about the book tour or the itinerary?”

      He sat up and cleared his throat, focusing his attention back where it belonged. “Just one. Who’s paying for all of this?”

      Her gaze dropped to her briefcase. “Handy Press is sponsoring the tour.”

      “Amy told me that they were pretty strapped financially.” He fluttered the schedule in the air. “An excursion like this can’t come cheap.”

      “I’m covering the costs initially,” she explained, stirring her soda with a straw. “Then Handy Press will reimburse me when the profits on How To Jump-Start Your Love Life start rolling in.”

      He stared at her. “You’re not serious?”

      She picked up her soda. “It’s a perfectly acceptable business practice. So tell me what the D in your middle name stands for?”

      “I think you’re trying to change the subject.”

      “David?” she guessed. “Dennis? Durwood? Dastardly?”

      “You’re close with that last one,” he replied. “The D stands for Dependable.”

      She smiled. “Now you’re the one not being serious.”

      “It’s the truth. I’m Dexter Dependable Kane. Thanks to some zealot in my family tree who thought all the Kanes should be given a virtuous middle name to live up to.”

      “So are you dependable?”

      “Through and through,” he replied. “That’s why you should listen to my advice about forking out your own money for this book tour. Most businesses give you an expense account. They don’t expect you to shell out your own money.”

      “This is different,” she countered. “I’ve already volunteered to cover all the expenses.” She took a long sip of soda. “Besides, the owner is my brother. I’m sure he’ll repay me as soon as he can.”

      Dexter rubbed one hand over his chin, amazed at her naiveté. “He won’t have to pay you a dime if his business declares bankruptcy. You’ll just be one in a long line of creditors.”

      She set her briefcase on the floor. “I’m not sure why we’re even having this discussion. If the book is a hit, bankruptcy won’t be an issue.”

      “If,” he echoed, leaning forward. “A great big if, in my opinion. If everyone believes I’m Harry Hanover. If the book sells big. If I don’t blow it.”

      She smiled. “Don’t worry, Dex. I have faith in you.”

      AN HOUR LATER, THEY climbed into Kylie’s car. She unspooled her seat belt and snapped it in place. “Are you ready, Dex?” She switched on the ignition.

      He nodded, squinting into the afternoon sun. The glare was giving him a headache. “It’s Dexter.”

      “What?”

      “You’ve called me Dex several times,” he shouted over the roar of the engine. “I prefer Dexter.”

      She shook her head.

      “I can’t hear you.” With a quick glance in the rearview mirror, she shot out of the parking space. A horn blasted behind them.

      “Oops,” she said, waving behind her. “Sorry.”

      Dexter reached out to grip the dashboard. “Maybe I should drive.”

      She glanced at him, then back at the road, braking suddenly to make a left turn. Another horn sounded. “I need to get the muffler fixed. But the