Patently in Love by Rhoda Baxter

don't
want to get you into trouble. So, if you don't want to meet like this again..."
    "No, no," he said, eyes wide. "That's not what I meant. I meant... can we keep things
discreet at work? You know, pretend nothing's going on?"
    "Of course, I can do that." She knew her relief showed in her voice. "For a moment
there, I thought... Never mind."
    Marsh reached across and took her hand. "I really, really like you." He looked into
her eyes. "I have from the moment I ran into you in the street. And each time I get to know a
bit more about you, I like you more. I wasn't going to suggest we treat last night as a one-off."
His dimple appeared. "I don't think I could bear that."
    "That's good. I kind of enjoyed myself last night too." She felt another blush creep up
her cheeks.
    Marsh brought her hand up and placed a gentle kiss on her palm.
    Later, as Marsh packed up his bag, he said, "Jane, what happened to that paper you
found last night? Is it still on my desk?"
    Jane thought back to the highly charged moments of the night before. "I think Keith
has it." In her haste, she hadn't even thought to ask for it back.
    Marsh grimaced.
    "It's no big deal. I can always print another copy."
    "It's not that. It's Keith. I bet he takes the credit for it."
    Jane gaped. She knew he and Keith didn't get on particularly well, but she didn't
think either of them would lower himself to such a level. "He wouldn't do that, would he? It's
not exactly professional."
    Marsh gave her an unreadable look. "I wouldn't be so sure."
    "I'm sure it'll be okay."
    Marsh said nothing and went back to cramming papers into his bag.
    The walk to the train station was very different from the one the night before. They
walked briskly, but without urgency. It was still quite early, but the sky was turning soft
pastel pink and birds were singing. Jane felt as if she was walking on air.
    As they neared the station Marsh said, "Perhaps it would be better if we catch
different trains. You catch the first one that comes. I'll catch the one after that. That way we'll
arrive a few minutes apart."
    "It wouldn't do to turn up together." She started to smile, but then remembered she
was still wearing yesterday's clothes. Her smile faded.
    "What's wrong?"
    "I'm just wondering if it's obvious that I'm wearing the same clothes as
yesterday."
    "I hadn't thought of that." He touched her hand. "Don't worry. I doubt anyone will
notice."
    * * * *
From: Sally Thomas

To: Valerie Fenwick

Did you see what Jane
had on this morning? Was that the same top she was wearing
yesterday?
Sally
    ##
    From: Valerie Fenwick

To: Sally Thomas

I can't say I noticed her
clothes, but I did think she was in a good mood this morning. I'll ask Ruth if
there's any gossip.
Better go. Marsh has left a whole load of tapes for me
to do. I guess he was working late last night again. I hope he gets this
promotion. I could do with a bit more cash. Besides, he generates so much
work for me, I may as well be a partner's secretary!
Val
    ##
    From: Keith Durridge

To Susan Jameson

Hi Susan
I've found
a paper that discusses using the two relevant classes of drugs together. Which
means, by default, it mentions the overall classes of drugs, which we can use
against the patent I'm dealing with too.
I am booking a meeting to
discuss.
Keith.
    ##
    From: Eric Korsky
To:
Keith Durridge
My
secretary tells me that the lovely Jane is wearing the same clothes as yesterday.
As I haven't had a boastful email from you, do I take it that someone else has
beaten you to it?
I shall get Indra to book us a table at the
club!
Eric
    ##
    From: Keith Durridge

To: Eric Korsky

Yes, the gossip has
reached me too. I should have guessed after