Page 56 of The Perfect Secret

“Okay, let me know if you need anything else. Or if you need girlfriend advice.”

He sputtered. Was it that obvious? Her laughter told him it was. Except the advice he needed—determining if his attachment to Hannah was healthy—couldn’t come from her. “I will. Thanks.”

“No problem. But next time I might persuade you to tell me details.”

He shook his head as he hung up. He was losing it. The phone rang again, but this time it was his cell. Hannah. His heartbeat increased. “Hey, I was thinking about you,” he said. In a matter of seconds, all his anxiety melted away.

“It must be why my nose is itching. Or are my ears supposed to ring?”

He laughed. “I have no idea, but it sounds like allergies and that can’t be good.”

“Not as good as your kisses.”

His face heated. He glanced at the door to make sure it was shut. Pulling his collar away from his neck, he cleared his throat.

“Oh, did I embarrass you?” She sounded surprised. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. Just didn’t expect it.”

“Mmm, I’m full of surprises.”

This was the Hannah he’d missed.HisHannah?

“So, I have news and I’d rather tell you in person,” she said. “I wish it wasn’t so long until the weekend.”

He glanced at his calendar. “Want to slip away and meet now? It’s almost lunchtime.”

“Can we do that?”

He laughed again. “We’re adults. In theory, we can do whatever we want.” There was silence on the other end of the line, interrupted by a keyboard clicking.

“Okay, let’s meet in Chelsea, the corner of 5th Avenue and 30th Street, in say, twenty minutes?”

“Great.” He hung up, told his assistant he was going out, and made his way to the subway. He had no idea what her surprise could be. Nineteen minutes later, he waited on the agreed-upon corner, hand tapping the top of his cane. A flash of red caught his eye and he turned in time to see Hannah in a red coat, her smile illuminating the entire street corner.

“I’m glad you came.” Placing her hand on top of his cane for balance, she stood on tiptoe. Berry lips met his, vanilla engulfed him, smooth fingers caressed the nape of his neck. He was drowning. The knot tightened.

With a groan, he pulled her close, feeling her soft breasts against his chest, her narrow hips against his. He nipped her lips, stroked her hair, entwining strands around his fingers. Soft and silky, her hair twisted around his wrist. With reluctance, hepulled away. “God, I can’t get enough of you,” he said, his voice hoarse with longing. That was his problem.

She stroked his cheek and her blue eyes sparkled. “You’re pretty irresistible yourself.”

He raised his cane. “Yeah, a total babe magnet.” Because she couldn’t be as desperate for him as he was for her.

She took it out of his hands and used it as a shepherd’s crook to reel him in. “You’re good just as you are.”

He exhaled, took back his cane, and stepped out of the line of pedestrian traffic that flowed around them. “So, what news do you have?”

She told him about her job interview, described Barbara and the company philosophy. “Can you believe what she said?”

“I think she makes some interesting points,” he answered when she finished her recitation. “It’s heartwarming to hear about a company with honor. Have you looked over her materials yet?”

“Last night. I’m going for a second interview. I hope they offer me the position. Ireallywant this job.”

“They’d be lucky to have you. Even if you don’t take this job, it’s nice to know other alternatives are out there.”

She shrugged. They continued walking, hand in hand, until she stopped in front of a gallery. “Look at these pictures. Do you have time to go in?”

“Sure.”