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eyes from his, “ Evita was still playing in the West End. If you find that interesting maybe you’d like to back a Broadway play. It offers about the same risk as grain futures, but it’s way more fun. Or, if you like movies, I can show you a film offering that doesn’t look too bad.”
    Chucky’s grin this time was honest, sincere. “Very clever. Movies, I never thought of movies. You know what the last one I saw was?”
    â€œGone with the Wind,” Kyle said. “Do you do much trading?”
    â€œIn what?”
    â€œI mean are you active in the market.”
    â€œWell, you know, now and then. But hey, listen. If I invested in a movie, would I get to meet any starlets?”
    The girl just stared at him.
    â€œI’m serious,” Chucky said. “Something like that, that sounds interesting. But let me tell you where I’m at, okay? The particular problem I run into . . .  No, first you tell me a few things. See if you’re the type of expert I need.”
    She said, “What do you want to know, my background, business experience?”
    â€œYeah, where you been, how old you are . . .”
    â€œI’m thirty-one,” Kyle said. “I started out as an analyst at Merrill Lynch, moved to Hutton to handle accounts . . .  came down here and opened my own office two and a half years ago . . .”
    â€œYou married?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œYou fool around?”
    â€œMr. Gorman, I have to tell you something.”
    â€œPlease, Chucky. Everybody calls me Chucky, even the help.”
    She said, “Chucky,” carefully, as though she was trying it out. “All right . . .  Chucky.” She bent her head down and up, brushed short bangs across her forehead. “I’m getting a kink in my neck, looking up at you.”
    â€œHey, I’m sorry.” He took several steps back. “How’s this?”
    â€œWhy don’t you sit down?”
    It was as though the idea hadn’t occurred to him. He said, “Yeah, I could do that, I guess.” And camearound the coffee table to sit sideways on the sofa, arm extended, his hand resting against the high rounded back.
    She said, “Can I ask you something?”
    Her eyes surprised him. A soft blue. Calm. No gee-whiz expression lurking in there. Ah, but the hands were folded in her lap.
    â€œAsk anything you want.”
    She said, “What are you doing?”
    Chucky stared, see if she’d look away. But those calm eyes didn’t move. There was a slight bump in her nose. That and the shoulder-length hair cut off abruptly and without any swirls gave her the outdoor look. Her mouth, very yummy, lips slightly parted . . .
    He said, “I think I’m falling in love. No, what was the question? You want to know what I’m doing. You mean right now as of this point in time? I’m interviewing you.”
    She said, “Oh,” and nodded with a thoughtful expression.
    â€œAren’t I?”
    She said, “Do you know what I do?”
    â€œYeah, you’re like an investment counselor. Right? Tell people what to do with their money.”
    She nodded again. “That’s right. But I specialize, you have to understand, in private placements, growth opportunities, usually going into new companies that need equity capital.”
    Chucky said, “Yeah, but why do I have to understand it as long as you do?”
    â€œI want to make a point,” Kyle said, “so that we understand one another.”
    Quiet voice to go with the quiet eyes. No girlish tricks. Yes, a first. Chucky was sure of it.
    â€œI spend most of my time,” she said now, “finding the opportunities. I’ll look into as many as fifty companies to find one or two with what I consider above-average potential.”
    â€œHow do you find ’em?”
    â€œLeads from people I know. Bankers, lawyers,