Love Online (Truly Yours Digital Editions) by Kristin Billerbeck, Nancy Toback

hoping to still her thudding heart. “Then maybe you can make some time for your friends.” She could get through this. She’d not allow anger to destroy what little remained of what they once had. “This friend in particular?”
    Another sigh. “All right, Jess.”
    If she harbored any spark of hope that they’d return to the way they were, the sound of his resignation extinguished it. Anger sifted out of her, leaving grief in its wake.
    “Jess? What time should I be there?” Tom’s voice was softer now.
    “How about six? Is that good for you?” A shiver of humiliation ran up her spine. The self-conscious words passing between them reeked of formality—a prelude to what would eventually dwindle into a final good-bye, she knew.
    “Six o’clock sounds—just a sec,” Tom said. “My client’s here, but six sounds fine. I’ll see you then.”
    “Yes, I’ll—” The line went dead.
    Jess set down the phone and dropped into the chair beside the oak desk. Smoothing her hand across the cool wood, she looked at the framed photo of her smiling father. “See what happened, Daddy.” A sob lodged in her throat. She pressed her lips into a tight line and swallowed. “Even you couldn’t plan for this. But it’s not your fault.”
    Jess slipped out of the chair, dropped to her knees, and closed her eyes. “Please, Lord, don’t let Tom fall in love with Linda.”
    Sweat tingled on her forehead. “That’s not a valid prayer, is it? If it’s not Linda, it’ll be another woman. I pray for Your perfect will to be done, Lord, not mine. I trust You know what’s best for me.” Tightening her laced fingers, she rocked forward and pressed her head against her hands. “But what if I’ve fallen in love with—”
    Her throat swelled and ached. Jess scrambled to her feet, knocking the porcelain sailboat to the rug, pushing the unthinkable from her mind. Even in her dreams, the words were too dangerous to utter.
    Tom had never shown a romantic interest in her. Jess set the knickknack back on the desk. She had to face facts—she just wasn’t Tom’s type. And if she threw herself into his arms—even once—her heart would forever be in his hands. Somehow she’d always known that.
    Jess strode across the room to the sofa, sat down in front of her laptop, and snapped down the keys to sign on to the Internet. She promised herself four more dates. She couldn’t give up on pursuing her dream—not yet.
    Scrolling through her E-mail, she clicked open the first with Love Online in the subject header.
    Dear Loves God (Nice handle),
I’m fairly new to Internet dating, and though I’ve met an interesting member, your profile captured my curiosity. (For personal reasons, I prefer to date several women until I know where the Lord’s leading.)
    Jess nodded. “Now that’s honest enough.”
Like you, I’m in my early thirties and live in midtown Manhattan. It seems our similarities outweigh our differences. If after reading my profile you agree, and you’d like to meet me, please send me an E-mail, and we’ll make arrangements.
Best regards,
TCTwo
    With trembling hands, Jess hit the REPLY button. “Please, Lord, don’t let this be another Jim.”
    No one could replace Tom, but a couple of dates might help fill the gaping void he’d left in her life. Short of begging, she’d practically had to twist Tom’s arm to get him to agree to dinner.
    Imagine, trying to persuade him to see her as more than a friend? Jess shook her head and typed, Dear TCTwo . . . .
    ❧
    Frank slammed his fist into his palm. “You’re getting suckered right back into it, Pal.”
    “Thanks for looking out for me, but Jess is a friend.” Tom shrugged into his suit jacket. “She’s extending an olive branch, and I can’t turn her down.”
    Crossing his arms over his chest, Frank dropped to the edge of the desk. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
    “I promise I won’t.” Striding to the door, Tom hit the light switch and turned.