Totally Tempting

“Oh, no! No. I, uh, I called to talk to you.”

“Really?”

“Yes. You know, Jodie, I admire you a great deal and I know that Dean couldn’t get along without you.”

When Rachel paused, Jodie didn’t know what to say. What was this phone call about?

Finally Rachel said, “I mean, I know you’re discreet and I’d rather you not tell Dean that I called.”

“All right.”

“The thing is that Dean and I had a spat a week or so ago and I think he’s still a little angry with me. He didn’t return my calls last week, and when I spoke to him last night, he said he was seeing someone else.”

Well, of course he was. Dean Logan didn’t waste time. He must have found someone who would have lunch with him or was available for whatever else he wanted. Good.

“I see.”

“He’s just trying to make me jealous and he wouldn’t tell me who he was seeing. Do you know?”

“I have no idea.”

“Oh.” Rachel sounded disappointed. “He said he’d known her for a long time. I thought you’d probably know her.”

Jodie chuckled. “He knows so many people that I wouldn’t be able to guess. After all, he’s lived in Chicago for years.”

“Oh, he’ll probably tell me,” Rachel finally said with a laugh. “Once he’s over his anger. We were supposed to visit some friends in northern Wisconsin this weekend, but I guess he’s planning to see her instead.”

“I’m sorry, Rachel. I know this must be painful for you.”

Rachel sighed. “It’s my fault. I must have been going through PMS or something and took it out on him.”

“I hope the two of you can work it out,” Jodie said. She was sincere. It would be easier for her to have him completely unavailable.

“Thanks for listening, Jodie. I appreciate it.”

Jodie hung up, dropped her purse in the drawer and peeked around the corner into Dean’s office. It was empty. Thank goodness. She doubted that he’d appreciate her discussing him with Rachel, although in the past she and Rachel had talked to each other regularly.

The next time the phone rang, it was Dean.

“Hi, sorry I didn’t let you know I wouldn’t be in this morning. Something came up that I needed to take care of.”

“No problem. Believe it or not, your phone has been quiet. Maybe everybody thinks you’re still on vacation.”

“Good. I should be in around two o’clock.”

“Okay.”

As soon as she hung up the phone, the intercom buzzed. It was Betty.

“Your secret admirer has left something for you at my desk.”

“I’m sure. I don’t have a secret admirer.”

“Well, someone just sent you a beautiful bouquet of tropical flowers. They look and smell heavenly. He must be in looove.” She drawled the last word.

What was Lynette up to now?

When Jodie walked into the reception area, she found a truly awesome vase filled with lush flowers. “Was there a card?” she asked.

“Don’t know,” Betty replied.

Jodie looked through the long stems and saw a small white card. She opened the envelope and stared at the message.

Thought you’d enjoy the scent of the islands in your office. D

“Well?” Betty asked brightly.

“Oh! A friend from school.”

“No kidding. Have you been seeing him long?”

She looked at the flowers before answering Betty. “I’ve known him for years.”

Jodie carried the large vase back to her office and placed it on top of the filing cabinet. The flowers smelled enchanting, and she wished she knew what Dean Logan was up to.

Nine

When Jodie arrived at Lynette’s on Friday, she realized they had company. She stopped in the hallway to hang up her coat. As soon as she walked into the living room, Chuck said, “Look who’s in town,” motioning to Carl Grantham, who was sitting across from him.

“Carl! What a surprise. What brings you to Chicago at this time of year?”

Carl got up and hugged her. He’d been Chuck’s best man at their wedding, and as the maid of honor, Jodie had spent time with him. He was a great guy. He was also gay, which she considered to be a loss to the female population.

“The company sent me. I tried to convince them that Florida would have been better, but they wouldn’t listen to me.”

Carl could have been a model had he wanted, but he preferred being an engineer.

“How long are you going to be here?” she asked.

“Until Tuesday. Chuck and Lynette insisted I stay here with them. I told them I could get a hotel since it was a business expense, but…” He shrugged his shoulders.

“I know. I’ve never been able to win an argument with Chuck either, and you’ve known him longer than I have!”

Chuck chimed in. “We’ve got a lot to catch up on. The guest bedroom is far enough away from the kids that he won’t be disturbed by them.”

Lynette came in from the kitchen. “Hi, sweetie,” she said to Jodie, giving her a hug. “You’re just in time to help me get the food on the table.”

“Where are the boys?”

“They’re spending the night with Chuck’s folks, and Emily is asleep. I won’t guarantee for how long, though, so let’s eat.”

Over dinner Carl told them what was going on in New York and discussed some of the plays he’d seen. His partner was an actor who was presently in one of the popular musicals on Broadway.

“I would love to see him onstage sometime,” Jodie said. “His voice alone sends chills through me.”

“And when did you hear his voice?” Lynette asked with a smile.

“While you guys were on your honeymoon and I called Carl to tell him he’d left his jacket in my car. Carl wasn’t there, so Chris and I had a nice long chat.”

“Telling tales about me is what they were doing,” Carl said with a mock frown.

“As I recall,” Chuck said, “he was touring when we got married and couldn’t come to the wedding.”

Carl nodded. “He’d just gotten in when Jodie called.”

“I didn’t see the coat in the backseat for several days. It had fallen to the floor.”

“I was wondering if the three of you would like to see the musical showing at the McCormick. I saw it on Broadway and it’s really good.”

Lynette shook her head. “As much as I’d like to, I can’t ask Chuck’s folks to keep the boys two nights in a row.”

“Which is an excuse,” Chuck said. “She doesn’t want to leave Emily with anyone.”

“Well, that’s true.”

Carl looked at Jodie. “How about you?”

“I’d love to! I haven’t gone to the theatre in much too long a time.”

“Great. I’ll see about tickets for tomorrow night. If they’re sold out, we can catch the Sunday matinee—that is, if you’re available.”

“I think I can safely say that my social calendar is quite bare either day.”

Carl shook his head. “Then the men around here are blind. You look sensational. Where did you get the tan? The contrast with your blond hair and blue eyes is stunning.”

“I was in Hawaii last week.”

“Alone?” he asked with a lifted brow.

She glanced at Lynette and Chuck. “Well, not exactly.”

“Aha.”

“No, no, nothing like that. I was with my boss who had business there.”

“He must be eighty years old not to have been aware of you.”

Jodie laughed and knew she was blushing. “He’s a businessman, completely wrapped up in his company.” She refused to look at Lynette. Instead she kept her eyes trained on Carl.

After dinner the men went into the other room while Jodie and Lynette cleaned up the kitchen. Jodie was putting dishes in the dishwasher when Lynette said, “I have a question. You don’t have to answer it, but did Dean make a pass at you while you were there?”

Jodie took her time straightening and turning to face Lynette. “A pass?” she repeated, stalling for time.

“You know…did he try to kiss you or suggest you could be more than a secretary to him? I couldn’t help but notice that you blush every time he’s mentioned, which has never been your reaction to him before.” She studied Jodie’s face. “You’re right. It’s none of my business. You’re a grown woman and I don’t need to hover.” She touched Jodie’s cheek. “I just don’t want to see you hurt.”

“There’s nothing going on between us,” Jodie answered truthfully. “He’s all business at the office. Nothing’s changed. He’s already dating someone else.”

“Doesn’t take him long, does it?”

“I’m sure they’re lined up waiting for him to notice them.”

They walked into the living room and Jodie turned to Carl. “I need to get home. Call me when you have the tickets.”

“Even if we don’t get the tickets for tomorrow night, I’d like to take you to dinner.”

“I’d like that.”

“Good.”

“I’ll draw you a map to her place,” Chuck said. “She’s moved since you were here last.”

“Great,” Jodie said. “I’ll wait to hear from you.”

Jodie drove home thinking about the evening. She thought the world of Carl. He was drop-dead handsome with a wry sense of humor, graduated at the top of his class at MIT, but most important, he was a warm, gracious person.

Nothing like Dean, who had returned to being a bear this past week, growling at whoever was closest, which was usually her.

The oddest thing, though. He’d sent her a dozen roses today. When she’d thanked him, he’d nodded without looking up and said, “I noticed the others were fading. It’s nice to have fresh flowers in the office.”

So the flowers weren’t really for her. They were for the office.

Once home, Jodie went to bed. While waiting for sleep, she wondered what Dean was doing tonight.

Dean sat at his desk at home and read contracts that had been prepared for new clients. With all the security breaches in the corporate world these days, more and more companies were looking for high-tech solutions, causing his business to flourish. So why wasn’t he more excited about the increase?

Was it possible he was bored?

Of course not. That would never happen.

It was almost midnight before he went to bed. Despite the hour, he had trouble falling asleep.

Carl had managed to get tickets for the Saturday-night performance. He picked Jodie up early enough for them to have dinner before the show.

As soon as she opened the door, he said, “You look fabulous, Ms. Cameron.”

“Come in, Carl. You look stunning yourself.”

“Stunning?” He quirked his eyebrow.

“You look like you should be modeling. Custom-made suit?”

He nodded. “So. Are we ready to go?”

“Absolutely.” She put on her coat, picked up her purse and joined him at the door.

By the time they reached the theater, Jodie had laughed so much her tears had wiped off the little makeup she wore. Not that she cared. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d so enjoyed herself.

With Dean perhaps?

Don’t go there.

Once they were seated, she said, “I can’t believe you got such good seats.”

“Actually they were a last-minute cancellation. Looks as if we lucked out.”

As the lights began to dim, Jodie noticed a couple being seated a few rows in front of them. She recognized the man immediately—it was Dean with his new girlfriend.

She couldn’t believe that they had chosen the same night to see the musical. She gave her head a quick shake of dismissal.

“Something wrong?” Carl leaned toward her to ask.

“Not really. I just saw the man I work for. He doesn’t seem to be the musical-theater kind, so I was a little surprised.” She nodded toward the couple.

“How long have you worked for him?”

“Close to five years. It’s a great company to work for. They’ve paid for me to take college courses at night. I’ll actually get my degree this spring.”

“Great benefits.”

She watched as Dean leaned over and said something to the woman he was with. She looked to be about his age, and from what Jodie could see, she appeared to be very attractive.

The overture finished and the curtains opened. After that, Jodie forgot everything else but the magical experience of musical theater.

Dean and Susan went into the lobby during intermission. He told her to wait there and he’d get them something to drink from the bar. While going through the crowd, he almost literally ran into Jodie.

“Well, hi,” he said with a slight smile. “Fancy meeting you here.”

“Hello, Dean,” she said. “I’d like you to meet Carl Grantham.”

Dean hadn’t realized that she was with someone. He held out his hand. “Dean Logan.” The man was everything he wasn’t. Good-looking—all right, great-looking—debonair and appeared charming.

“Dean is the man I work for,” she said to Carl.

“I’m glad to meet you. Jodie was singing your praises a little earlier.”

Dean looked at Jodie and she turned a fiery red. He looked back at Carl. “That’s always good to hear. If you’ll excuse me, I was headed to the bar to get drinks for Susan and me. Good meeting you, Carl. I’ll see you at the office, Jodie.”

Dean turned his back and walked away before he did or said something outrageous. He wanted to flatten Carl and grab Jodie, proclaiming that she belonged to him and only to him. He’d never experienced such a surge of jealousy and possessiveness. What was wrong with him anyway? He’d never dated Jodie, so why should a few shared kisses last week make him feel so possessive of her, of all people? He wasn’t jealous of women he dated.

Dean glanced back at the couple, who appeared to be enjoying each other’s company. He frowned. Damn it, he didn’t want her seeing other men. When he rejoined Susan, she thanked him and said, “What a striking couple you stopped and talked to. They look perfect for each other. Are they married?”

“No. She’s my secretary.”

“I see. Jodie, isn’t it?”

“You’ve got a great memory. Yes, that’s Jodie Cameron.”

“I remember when you hired her. After a few months you couldn’t say enough good things about her.”

“Well, she’s taking another position in the company in a week or so and I’m going to need another secretary. Don’t suppose you’d be interested?”

Susan laughed. “I’m afraid not. I’m more comfortable doing private care work.”

“How do you like your present assignment?”

“I like it. In fact, the son of the man I’m caring for has shown an interest in me.”

“That’s not surprising. The question is, are you encouraging him?”

“I believe I am,” she admitted with a smile. “He’s a single parent with two children. I have no idea where their mother is. She’s never mentioned. The girls and I get along famously. They were upset that I was going out tonight with someone other than their dad.”

“A ready-made family. Is that what you want?”

Tears filled her eyes. “That’s the only way I’ll have children. I think this could turn into something serious.” She blinked away the tears. “I don’t think he was particularly enamored of my seeing you either.”

“It will do him good. We won’t tell him that you’re the sister I never had—”

“And the brother I never had,” she finished.

He touched her cheek. “You know I’ll always be there for you. Would you like me to meet him and make intimidating noises about his treating you right or he’ll answer to me?”

Susan laughed out loud and gave him a hug. “I really don’t think that will be necessary, but I’ll keep it in mind.”

Jodie watched the attractive woman with Dean hug him and turned away. The lights flickered, signaling that it was time to return for the next act. Once seated, Jodie did her best not to watch for Dean.

She also decided that she didn’t need to see him with other women either. Next time she’d make certain not to go anywhere where she might run into him.

Ten

There was another bouquet of flowers on her desk when Jodie arrived at work on Monday. This time she didn’t bother to thank him since the flowers were for the office. However, she did comment on how beautiful they were.

He looked up from his work. “Did you enjoy the musical?” he asked.

“Very much. I haven’t seen a stage production in much too long a time. How about you?”

He shrugged. “It was okay, I guess. If you like that sort of thing. I’ve never been able to figure out why, when they become romantic, they sing to each other instead of kissing.”

She smiled. “So why did you go?”

“Susan mentioned wanting to see it.”

“She seems very nice.”

He leaned back in his chair and studied her. “I spoke to Frank earlier. He said he could put you to work in three weeks if that’s okay with you.”

She nodded. “That’s fine with me. I’ll call the employment agency and find someone to replace me.”

He cleared his throat. “Jodie, there’s no one who can replace you. I’d like to keep you here, but I know I’m being selfish. You deserve a chance to put your education to good use and I don’t want to hold you back.”

She blinked back the tears that suddenly appeared. “Thank you for giving me the chance. I promise I’ll find someone who is every bit as good as I am. Within a week you won’t notice there’s been a change.”

He shook his head. “That will never happen.” He picked up a letter lying on his desk, a clear dismissal of her, which was just as well.

Jodie returned to her desk. She was going to miss seeing him every day, but it was better this way. The infatuation she seemed to have acquired while on Maui would die a natural death once she wasn’t around him so often.

The days went by and Jodie slowly settled into a routine of doing her work and interviewing prospective employees.

Rachel seemed to be back in Dean’s life. She called him every day or so, and Jodie happened to hear him making plans with her for a weekend next month.

Jodie spent her evenings working on school projects and studying for finals. She’d be glad when she moved to her new position. Being around the old Dean who never laughed and rarely smiled made her heart ache for him. He’d returned to his hard-crusted shell, and it was as though the man she’d gotten to know in Hawaii no longer existed.

She had hoped that, for his sake, he would look around him and enjoy his life more fully. It was his choice, of course, to revert back to the all-business-all-the-time man he’d been.

Why should she care?

She didn’t want to think about the answer.

Sunday turned out to be almost springlike, which wasn’t surprising considering that spring would be there in another few weeks. Jodie decided to go jogging. She hadn’t been out much these past several weeks. She drove to one of the nearby parks, parked, stretched and started out in a slow jog.

She recognized some of the other joggers because they’d been coming there for years. The sunshine and blue sky must have encouraged them to get out, just as it had her.

Afterward, she stopped into a deli and bought a large sandwich and headed home.

She decided to shower before eating. She’d barely gotten wet when she heard the doorbell. Since Lynette always called first, she didn’t have a clue who could be there.

Jodie hurriedly stepped out of the shower and grabbed a bath towel, then hurried to the door.

“Who is it?”

“Dean.”

“Dean?” She panicked. “Hold on a sec.” She rushed into the bedroom and found a robe to put on and hurried back to open the door. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting. I was in the shower when I heard the bell. Please. Come in.”

He walked in and said, “I hope you don’t mind my stopping by without calling first.”

“I’ll forgive you this once,” she replied with a smile, “especially since I just got home and you wouldn’t have reached me anyway. Would you like some coffee while I get dressed?”

He shook his head. “Had too much already, but thanks.”

She waved at the grouping of sofa and chairs and said, “Have a seat. I’ll be right back.”

Jodie hurried into her bedroom and closed the door. What was he doing there? And why was she letting his presence rattle her so? She didn’t have any answers. She dug out an old pair of jeans and a faded sweatshirt, stuck her feet in house slippers and went back to the living room.

He stood as soon as he saw her. “You look comfortably casual,” he said with a lopsided grin.

“I am.” She stood there for a moment, waiting, and when he didn’t say anything, she said, “Let’s sit down. I’m sure you have a reason for coming by.”

He settled back on the sofa while she sat on the edge of one of her chairs.

“I’ve been thinking.”

That sounded a little ominous. “About what?”

“Us.”

She frowned. “There isn’t an us.”

“Actually there is, whether we do anything about it or not. We became friends while we were in Maui. I’d like to give the relationship a chance and see where it takes us.”

Oh, dear. His reason for being there was worse than she’d thought.

After a moment she replied, “I don’t think so.”

“Why not?”

She rolled her eyes. “Oh, let me count the ways. One, I work for you, which we’ve already discussed. Nothing has changed in that regard. Two, I’m not into flings. Besides, you’re still involved with Rachel and I don’t want to get in the middle of that.”

He looked uncomfortable. “We’ve agreed that the relationship isn’t working for either of us. I won’t be seeing her anymore.”

“I can’t imagine her breaking up with you unless she found out you’re seeing someone else, and I don’t believe that’s the case. I always know when you’re seeing someone. You send them flowers, you get them tickets…” Her voice trailed off and she stared at him in dismay. “You sent me flowers.”

“So I did.”

She stared at him, feeling confused. “Well…but…you didn’t mean them in that way,” she said.

“I meant them exactly that way,” he murmured.

“Oh, my gosh.”

“You didn’t guess?”

“Are you kidding? Of course I didn’t think that’s what they meant.” She couldn’t believe she was having this conversation with Dean.

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “The thing is, Jodie, I’d like to start seeing you socially. I discovered that I enjoy your company. When I’m with you, I see everything through your eyes and I like the new perspective.” He kept his gaze focused on her. “Teach me how to relax and enjoy life a little more, like we did in Hawaii.”

“You’re asking me to tutor you?” she asked, frowning slightly.

“If you want to call it that.”

“For how long?”

“I don’t understand the question.”

“Well, let me put it this way. How long do you generally date one person before moving on?”

“What kind of question is that? I have no idea.”

“Well, I do. It averages about two to two and a half months. How long do you expect to see me?”

He threw up his hands. “This isn’t the conversation I thought I’d be having.”

She crossed her arms. “Really? Did you think I’d rush into your arms when you decided you want to spend time with me away from the office?”

“If I did, that idea got blown out of the water.”

“Dean?”

“What?”

“What’s this all about?”

He leaned back on the sofa, rested his head against the back and sighed.

“I miss you more than I could have dreamed I would. We were good together. We had fun together. Or I did, at least. What’s wrong with extending that?”

“We could try it, I suppose,” she said thoughtfully.

“Your enthusiasm is underwhelming.”

“I could be your transition person until you find someone else.”

He closed his eyes. “Transition person,” he repeated without inflection.

“Maybe we could do that. Still nothing serious.”

He straightened. “So you’ll do it?”

“Within reason. I’m busy with school, as you know, but maybe once a week or so we could spend some time together.” She brightened. “We could meet for coffee after my classes. Have dinner on weekends. Is that what you want?”

“Never mind what I want. I’ll take what I can get.”

“All right then.” She stood up. “I brought home a sandwich from the deli. I’m willing to share it if you’re hungry.”