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

“Planning to sit in my office all night?”
    They walked to the elevator in silence. Frank’s shadow felt like a weight on his shoulder—a good angel or a bad angel, he couldn’t decide. Tom pressed the elevator button and leveled a gaze at him. “You really dislike Jess, don’t you?”
    Staring down at the floor, Frank shrugged. “There’s no denying she’s drop-dead gorgeous, but she’s driving you crazy.”
    The words were a punch to his gut. Suspicion hit, turning his insides cold and tightening every muscle in his body. “What? Is it a love-hate thing? Are you interested?”
    Frank’s laugh echoed through the reception area. “Yeah, like I have shot with that. . . princess .”
    Tom’s pulse kicked up. He jammed his foot against the elevator door to hold it open. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    “It means nothing, huh?” Frank slapped him on the shoulder. “Calm down.”
    “I am calm.” Clenching his fists, he pulled in a breath. “What if you did have a shot with Jess? Would you take it?”
    Brushing past him, Frank stepped into the elevator.
    Tom followed, hit the LOBBY button, and slanted him a glance. He’d been confiding in Frank for the past five years. “Forget it. Doesn’t matter one way or the other.”
    Frank ran his hand down his tie and grinned. “I should learn to mind my own business.”
    “Yeah, you should.”
    They both laughed. But Frank hadn’t given him a straight answer.
    Parting company with a handshake, he watched Frank head across the avenue, dodging traffic against the light. There went a guy who loved taking risks. And he loved winning even more.
    Tom hailed a taxi. He could still cancel. If he had a drop of good sense, he’d go straight home.
    Staring at the bearded cabbie in a turban, he gathered a breath and ground out Jess’s address.
    A heap of regrets swelled his heart. Only one woman could cause him to lose it—and he was heading toward her apartment right now.
    Loosening the knot in his tie, Tom slumped against the seat. Acting solely on unfounded suspicion, he’d gone off the deep end, turning FBI agent on Frank, grilling the guy as if he stood between Jess and him.
    Strumming his fingers on his knee, Tom stared out the side window. If Frank did make a play for Jess, she’d never go along with it.
    But what if she did? Tom shook his head. He’d be forced to grin and bear it. Better still, he could accept the transfer to California.
    Tom watched workers streaming out of the office buildings on Fifth Avenue as the blare of car horns assaulted his ears. A change of scenery might do him some good. Out of sight, out of mind. Maybe. . .
    But then there was the other, more dangerous, adage. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
    Tom strode down the long, carpeted hallway toward Jess’s door. He could’ve found his way blindfolded to the heavenly scent of brisket. In the scheme of things, this night would mean a great meal and a few laughs. Nothing more.
    The door opened. Jess’s clear blue gaze locked on his, her smile, her orange-vanilla scent, crashed over him. His thinking mind disengaged. Squaring his shoulders, he fought to recall his convictions.
    “I’m so glad you could make it.”
    Her voice was melting chocolate on his tongue. He uttered something unintelligible and followed her into her apartment. “Thanks for inviting me.” After she closed the door, he handed her the bouquet he’d bought, with much reservation, in the shop beside her building. His visit wasn’t meant to give any false impressions—not even to himself. “They’re not roses, but—”
    “Thank you.” Jess pointed to the sofa. “Have a seat while I put these in water. And dinner will be served in”—she glanced at her watch—“precisely five minutes.”
    As he drank in the warmth of her nearness, he made no motion to move. “Sounds good.”
    Jess smiled again. “I’ve missed you.” She placed the flowers on the coffee table behind her. With one step, she