Even if he was lying to her, he painted a beautiful picture -- so attentive, so concentrated -- and Kiki softened a little. The columnist couldn't be in doubt about the nature of this little tête-à-tête: false or not, Ed was fawning over her and really, what more could she ask for?
"Well," she finally pronounced, giving Ed a calculated bat of her lashes, "I've seen far worse from men trying to be players, so you get points for class. And style." Anxiety forgotten, her grip on his collar turned soft, cajoling, and she tugged again, lifting her face so they were nearly nose-to-nose. "The money doesn't hurt, either, baby. Seduce away..."