George. I can’t stop thinking about that and I keep expecting to turn around and see him. It’s difficult.”
She took a sip of her drink. As she shifted and the light spilled across her face, he could’ve sworn he saw tears in her eyes.
He did swear, silently, calling himself several choice names for his earlier thoughts. “You really loved him.”
“Stop sounding so surprised when you say that,” she told him. “Of course I loved him. I’m very intelligent and very capable. I didn’t need to marry someone to get what I wanted from life. I could have done that on my own.”
He wanted to ask why his father. What qualities had the old man shown her that he’d managed to keep from his sons?
“They’re saying good things about you,” she said. “They’re happy you’re in charge.”
“So that sharp clanging sound I hear is the door closing on my freedom?”
“I don’t know,” she told him. “No one wants you to keep a job you hate.”
“Except the board of directors.”
“It’s not their job to be compassionate. I suspect, over time, they would come to see that an unhappy president wouldn’t be best for Hanson Media Group.”
“I don’t think I have that much time.”
“You could be right.” She took another sip from her drink. “I saw you dancing with Samantha. You make a very attractive couple.”
“She’s a beautiful woman.”
“And a friend. You’re a great guy, Jack, but I know how you are. Serial monogamy is great in theory, but sometimes someone gets hurt.”
She wasn’t being subtle. “You don’t want that person to be Samantha.”
“She’s just been through a difficult time.”
“I know about her divorce.”
Helen smiled. “I wonder if you really do.”
“What do you mean?”
“Be kind to my friend.”
“I’ll do my best.” He shook his head. “You put her name on the short list. I’d wondered how it got there.”
“I knew she would do a good job and I thought she was someone you could trust.”
There was something in her voice that implied she knew more than she was saying. How much had Samantha told her about their previous relationship?
“Good call on your part,” he said.
“Thanks. I have my moments.” She looked around at the large gathering. “Ready to plunge back into the hordes?”
“No, but there’s not much choice.”
She glanced back at him. “I know you don’t care or even want to hear this, but your father would have been very proud of you.”
He didn’t say anything because he was starting to like and respect Helen, but as she walked away he acknowledged she was right. He didn’t care about what his father thought.
Samantha knew she was babbling. It was late, she was tired and hungry and she couldn’t seem to stop talking.
“I think the party had a real positive impact on our relationships with our advertisers,” she said as Jack stopped at a light. “There was so much good feedback and I have some great ideas to bring to the next creative meeting for the Web site.”
He drove through the quiet, empty streets, nodding every now and then. She knew neither of them was really interested in business and that he already knew everything she was saying.
“The band was good, too,” she added with a bright smile. “A lot of people were dancing. That doesn’t usually happen at parties like this. But everyone seemed really relaxed. Didn’t you think so? Weren’t you relaxed?”
He stopped for another light and turned to glance at her. “You don’t have to entertain me on the drive home,” he said. “It’s okay if we don’t talk.”
Great. So she’d bored him.
She firmly pressed her lips together and vowed not to say another word between here and the parking garage at their building. From there it was a short elevator ride to her condo.
Silence, she told herself. She could do silence.
“I like your car,” she said before she could stop herself. “Is it new?”
“About two years old. Why are you so nervous?”
“Me? I’m not. I’m fine. I had a good time tonight.”
“You sure didn’t drink. As far as I could tell you didn’t eat. So what’s going on?”
“Nothing. I’m fine. Perfectly. See? This is me being fine.”
He pulled into the parking garage and drove to his space. When he turned off the engine, he shifted so that he faced her.
“Are you worried I’m going to make a pass at you?” he asked.
The blunt question shocked her into silence. If she looked at things from the right perspective, life sure had a sense of humor. For the past few weeks she’d been hoping Jack wouldn’t notice her as anything but a coworker. Now she wanted him to see her as a desirable woman and he was worried she thought he was going to come on to her. Which meant he wasn’t.
She’d spent the entire evening in shoes that made her feet hurt for nothing.
“Why would I worry about that?” she asked, not able to meet his gaze.
“Because of what happened the last time we were alone together.”
Ah, yes. That magical kiss. “It was nice,” she whispered.
“I thought so, too. Still do.” He leaned across her and opened her door. “Come on. I’ll walk you home.”
He came around and helped her out of the car, then took her hand as they walked to the elevator. Seconds later the doors opened and they stepped inside.
She wanted to say something. Maybe invite him inside or at least come off as cool and sophisticated. But she couldn’t think of anything good and she didn’t know how to tell him she wasn’t exactly ready for the evening to be over. Maybe in her next life she would understand men and deal with them better. In this one, she was batting a big, fat zero.
The elevator stopped on her floor. She turned to say good-night, only he was stepping off the elevator and leading her to her door.
She dug for her key in her tiny evening bag and clutched it in her hand.
Her place was at the end of the hall. Jack took the key from her, opened the door
