One-Click Buy: February 2010 Harlequin Blaze

by Betina Krahn

  “I was thinking I’d hire one of those college students who are always wanting to intern at the gallery. Someone who’s not so much trouble.”

  Tenley giggled. “You’re not going to get rid of me with insults.” She picked up her portfolio and walked to the door. “If I go to Chicago for the summer, you’d have to take care of my dogs and cats. They’d have to move in with you. And we’d have to board the horses.”

  He held out his hands. “A small price to pay for your happiness.”

  She zipped up her coat and walked out the door into the chilly afternoon sun. Once, her days had been spent in a holding pattern, just waiting for something to push her forward again. Alex had done that for her. He’d given her a reason to move on and for that, she’d be forever grateful.

  Someday, she’d tell him that. Someday in the distant future—when she’d be able to look at him and not wonder if she’d given up too soon.

  8

  TENLEY HAD BEEN to the Art Institute several times when she was younger. As she walked down the front steps, looking back at the classic facade, she let the memories wash over her. Her parents had been together and Tommy was still alive. They’d rushed up the front steps, racing each other to the door, hoping to see everything in just one day. And while her mother and father lingered over the paintings, she and Tommy found their favorite spots.

  Tenley had been fascinated by the miniatures, like little dollhouses with each tiny piece of furniture perfectly reproduced. Tommy was drawn to the Greek and Roman coins, comparing them to his collection of Indian head pennies at home.

  It had been one of the last times they’d traveled together as a family. But to her surprise, the memory didn’t cause the usual ache in her heart. Instead, she felt only a tiny bit of melancholy as she recalled the affection they’d all had for each other. Tommy had lived a short life, but he had been well loved.

  Maybe that was what life was all about—searching for a place to feel accepted. Since Alex had left, Tenley had made the decision to walk away from the past and begin again. Though she was excited at the prospect, she was also a bit frightened.

  She’d spent the afternoon strolling through galleries, studying the artists and wondering if they’d ever had the same doubts she was having. To pacify her grandfather, Tenley had met with an admissions specialist for the Art Institute school and, in the end, decided to apply for a three-week session in June and another in August. Six weeks away from home during her grandfather’s busiest season would be difficult, but he’d assured her he could get along with temporary help.

  Housing was offered by the school, but it didn’t allow for pets. So Dog and Pup and her two cats were going to have to live at her grandfather’s place while she was gone. Josh could take care of the horses, moving them over to his family’s farm to make it more convenient, and she’d drive home on the weekends to make sure everything was running smoothly.

  Yet, even though she tried to focus on the business at hand, her thoughts constantly shifted to the real reason she’d come to Chicago—Alex. They’d spoken several times since he’d left, mostly about the novel. But sometimes they drifted into conversation about their time together.

  Though neither one of them wanted to make the first move to rekindle their romantic relationship, there always seemed to be a tension simmering right below the surface—as if the thoughts were there, waiting to be expressed.

  Tenley stepped to the curb and held up her hand to hail a cab. A few seconds later, a taxi pulled up and she got inside. She reached into the pocket of her portfolio for Alex’s business card and gave the cabbie the address.

  Though she’d come to Chicago to see Alex, her excuse for the trip was a meeting she’d scheduled with her editor. She’d finished the requested revisions and had completed the new artwork for the changes. Rather than sending them via courier, Tenley had decided to deliver them personally.

  Marianne Johnson, her editor, felt it important they meet, but Tenley was really hoping to take a few moments to say hello to Alex. It had been nearly three weeks since he’d left and even though she thought of him every hour of every day, she was beginning to forget the tiny details that had fascinated her so. The closest thing she had to a photograph was the picture from the Smooth Operators Web site. And then she had her drawings, but none of those had a face with the body.

  All she needed was a few seconds to recharge her memory. As the cab wove through the late-afternoon traffic, Tenley tried to imagine how it would be. She’d stand at his door and say a quick hello. He’d ask her to come in and sit down, but she’d beg off, explaining that she had a meeting scheduled with her editor. He’d ask her to dinner and she’d tell him she was driving back that night. He’d say the traffic was bad until later and she ought to wait.

  All she really wanted to know was that she and Alex could deal with each other as business associates. The past was the past. It might not have been so important before, but in the past few weeks, Tenley had begun to imagine building a career as a graphic novelist. She’d already come up with four or five new ideas for stories.

  The headquarters for Stamos Publishing was located in the South Loop in a huge brick building that had been modernized with new windows and a gleaming entrance. One corner was constructed entirely of glass, revealing a printing press in full operation.

  Tenley paid the cabbie, then hopped out of the car, clutching her portfolio to her chest. She’d left her Jeep parked in the lot at the hotel, her bags in the trunk, preferring to let someone else do the driving while she was in town. Later tonight, she’d pick it up and head home.

  She checked in at the front desk and was given a badge to clip onto her pocket. A few seconds later, Marianne Johnson burst through the door, a wide smile on her face. “Tenley! Gosh, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” She held out her hand. “How was your drive down? The weather looked good.”

  “I actually came down yesterday afternoon. I went to the Art Institute this morning and spent most of the day there.”

  “Wonderful! First, I want to take you by Alex’s office. I know he’s in and I’m sure he wants to say hello.”

  “Oh, I don’t want to bother him,” Tenley said, suddenly succumbing to an attack of nerves. What if he wasn’t thrilled to see her? What if they had nothing to say to each other? She’d built this meeting up in her mind for three weeks, ever since Alex had left Door County. And now that it was here, she wanted to run back home.

  “It’s no bother. When I told him you were coming, he insisted we stop by. Come on.”

  They wove through a warren of hallways, past small offices and large conference areas, all occupied by production personnel. Marianne took her back to the pressroom and explained to her that her novel would be printed at their new plant in Elgin and that she would be invited to do a press check once the process had begun.

  By the time they stepped inside the elevator, Tenley’s heart was slamming in her chest and she could barely breathe. What if she couldn’t speak? What if everything she said sounded stilted and contrived?

  “Our sales and marketing offices are up here,” Marianne said, after they arrived at the second floor. “We’re so excited about publishing your novel. I think this new imprint is going to be the best thing that’s ever happened to this company.”

  Unlike the production offices, the second floor was quiet, the hum of the printing presses barely audible. Marianne took her through a set of glass doors, then smiled at the receptionist. “Alex wanted us to stop in,” she explained.

  Tenley took a deep breath. She’d brought a new outfit for the occasion. She wore a hand-woven jacket with a bright chartreuse turtleneck, a short black skirt and leggings underneath. Lace-up ankle boots and a studded belt finished off the ensemble. In her opinion, it was edgy and cool and it made her look like a real artist.

  “Alex? I’ve got Tenley here.”

  Marianne stepped aside and directed her through a wide doorway. Tenley pasted a smile on her face and walked in. The
moment their eyes met, she felt as if she’d been hit in the chest with a brick. Her heart fluttered and her breathing grew shallow and she felt a bit light-headed. “Hello.” It was all she could manage.

  “Hello, Tenley. Come on in. Sit down.”

  His voice was warm and deep and caused a shiver to race through her body. “Oh, I can’t stay. Marianne and I have a meeting. And then I have to get back on the road. I’ve got a long drive home tonight. I just wanted to say hi.” She gave him a little wave and a weak laugh. The words had just tumbled out of her mouth so fast she wasn’t sure what she’d said. “Hi.”

  “Don’t be silly. Your meeting with Marianne can wait.” He glanced over at the editor. “Right?”

  Marianne nodded. “Sure. Just give me a call when you’re through.” The editor disappeared down the long hallway, leaving Tenley standing alone in the door. Wasn’t this how she’d imagined it? What was next?

  “Come on in. Sit,” he said, pointing to the chair on the other side of his desk. “God, you look…incredible.”

  “It’s the new clothes,” Tenley said. “Now that I’m an artist, I have to start dressing like one.”

  “They suit you,” he said. “But then, everything looks good on you. I seem to remember a funny hat with earflaps. I liked that hat.”

  “I didn’t bring it along. I didn’t want to look like a complete bumpkin.”

  “So, are you really going back tonight? Because you can’t. We have to have dinner. I’ll take you out and show you the town.” He reached for his phone and punched a button. “Carol, can you make a reservation for Tenley Marshall at the Drake? Confirm it for late arrival on our account.”

  Tenley shook her head. “I can’t. I have to get back. I promised my grandfather.”

  “One of the suites would be good,” he said to his secretary. When he hung up the phone, he nodded. “Just in case you don’t want to go. You’ll stay for dinner, right?”

  “Sure. The traffic will probably be crazy until later on, anyway. So, yes, I’ll stay for dinner.”

  “Good. We have a lot to catch up on. I can’t believe you’re here.”

  “I am,” she said, slowly lowering herself into the chair. She set her portfolio on the floor, fumbling with the handles. Why had conversation suddenly become so difficult? She couldn’t think of a single thing to say to him. He looked the same, maybe a bit more polished. He wore a finely tailored suit and a white dress shirt that showed off his dark features. If he’d picked out his clothes to please her, they were certainly doing the trick. He was as handsome as ever. “How have you been?”

  “Good,” he said. “You know, this is crazy. Good, fine, you look great.” He circled around the desk, then stood in front of her, pulling her to her feet. Without hesitation, Alex cupped her face in his hands and gave her a gentle kiss. “That’s better.”

  “I remember that,” Tenley murmured, her gaze dropping to his lips.

  “So do I.” For a long time, they stood silently, staring at each other. And then, he blinked and glanced at his watch. “It’s almost four. Let’s go now and we’ll have a few drinks before dinner and—”

  “I have to see Marianne,” she said, grabbing her portfolio.

  “Right.”

  “But I won’t be long. I’ll come back at five and we’ll go then.”

  “Sure,” Alex said, following her to the door. “Her office is down there on the right. Name’s on the door.”

  Tenley nodded and started down the hall. At the last minute, she glanced over her shoulder to find him watching her. “Stop staring at me,” she said.

  Alex laughed out loud and Tenley hurried down the hall, enjoying the sound. It hadn’t gone badly. It could have been worse. They were able to be in the same room without jumping into each other’s arms and tearing clothes off. And though the kiss was a bit more than what friends might share, they’d been a lot more than friends.

  If this was all it was, Tenley could be happy. There was no anger or regret between them. Only good memories and a warm friendship. She could move on from there.

  When she got to Marianne’s office, she walked in, only to find another woman sitting in her guest chair. The woman jumped up and held out her hand. “Hello,” she said. “I’m Tess Stamos. And you have got to be Tenley Marshall.”

  “Yes,” she said.

  “I’m Alex’s sister. I work here, too. I loved your novel, by the way. It’s about time women start kicking butt in those books, don’t you think?”

  “I do,” Tenley said.

  Tess was tall and slender, with dark hair and eyes. She appeared to be a few years older than Tenley, but she had a confidence that made her seem just a bit intimidating.

  “So, you saw Alex? He’s been going crazy all day waiting for you to come. He usually doesn’t let a woman get him so rattled. You must be special.”

  “We’re friends,” Tenley said.

  Tess observed her with a shrewd look. “I think you’re more than that. Alex has even mentioned you to my mother, which means he’s willing to put up with her nagging just so he can talk about you around the dinner table. But please, don’t break my brother’s heart or I will have to chop you into tiny pieces and run you through the printing press. I can do that, you know. I’m head of production.”

  With that, Tess Stamos waltzed out of the room, leaving Tenley with nothing to say except, “She was…nice.”

  Marianne circled her desk and took Tenley by the arm, guiding her toward a chair. “Don’t let Tess bother you. She deals with loud printing presses and stubborn press operators all day long. She’s used to speaking her mind.”

  As they went over the new drawings and story changes, Tenley’s thoughts were occupied elsewhere. She’d expected a warm welcome, but there was something more going on. This wasn’t just a casual visit, at least not for Alex. He’d been anticipating her arrival and had even told his sister about her. But then, as a new author, she would naturally be the subject of conversation around the office.

  There was no need to read anything into Tess’s words. Nothing had changed. Everybody was simply being kind and solicitous, just good business practice.

  And at dinner tonight, she’d restrain herself, putting aside all the memories of their passionate encounters at her cabin. She was determined to make this relationship comfortable, to redraw the lines and follow the rules this time.

  And though her heart ached a little bit for what they’d lost, Tenley could bear it. She was stronger now and able to look at the attraction between them with a practical eye. Though it would always be tempting, in the end, it just wasn’t meant to be.

  ALEX GUIDED THE SEDAN down Lakeshore Drive, impatient to get to the restaurant so that he could turn his full attention to the woman sitting beside him. It felt so good to have her back in his orbit again. Though they hadn’t touched since he’d kissed her, just knowing he could reach out and make contact made him happy.

  “How’s your grandfather?” he asked.

  “He’s good. He says hello. He’s working on a new series of paintings. Barns.”

  “And how are things in town? Is Randy giving you any problems?”

  Tenley shook her head. “Actually, we’re dating now. He just wore me down and I had to say yes. We’re planning the wedding for June.”

  Alex frowned, then noticed the teasing smile twitching at the corners of her lips. “I’m very happy for you.”

  “What about you?” Tenley asked. “Have you been dating anyone?”

  Alex was surprised by the question, but even more surprised by his answer. “Tenley, it’s only been three weeks. I’m not interested in dating anyone.”

  “I just thought a charming guy like—”

  He suddenly realized what she was getting at. “Oh, wait. I know where this is going. You looked me up on the Internet, didn’t you? And you came up with that silly Web site.”

  “SmoothOperators.com. I didn’t, Randy did. He gave me the full report.”

  “When?”
>
  “Before you left. He dropped by the gallery when I was working.”

  “Damn, he doesn’t give up, does he?”

  “He’s dating Linda Purnell now. So, yes, he has given up. Unless he’s carrying a secret torch for me.” She glanced over at him. “Why haven’t you started dating again?”

  “Because I haven’t met anyone half as interesting as you.” In fact, Alex hadn’t even bothered to go out since he got back to Chicago. He spent most of his evenings at the office, getting back to his apartment in time to catch the end of a basketball game or a hockey match. The rest of the night, he spent staring at his BlackBerry, trying to convince himself that not phoning Tenley was a good thing.

  “I know what you mean. There aren’t that many interesting single guys living in Sawyer Bay. Though prospects improve in the summer.”

  Alex reached out and grabbed her hand, lacing his fingers through hers. It felt so good to touch her. “We could skip the restaurant,” he said. “We’re just a couple blocks from the Drake. We could order room service and spend some time alone.”

  She smiled weakly and Alex immediately regretted his suggestion. He was moving too fast. And it was obvious her feelings for him had changed.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she said.

  “You’re probably right. Best to maintain a professional relationship. But it worked out pretty well for us when we did it the first time.”

  “Yes, but that was just for fun.”

  Alex watched the traffic as it slowed in front of him for the light. What did she mean by that? Was that all he’d been to her, just a few nights of fun? Maybe all this distance was simply her way of letting him down easy.

  As they drove along the lakeshore, Alex pointed out the major landmarks. Acting as tour guide kept the conversation light and interesting. But in his head, he was cataloguing all the questions that needed answers. Why couldn’t she love him? She didn’t really believe that ridiculous Web site, did she?

  They were so obviously compatible, both in and out of bed. He loved talking to her. She didn’t babble like most of the women he’d dated. And she wasn’t obsessed with her looks or her clothes. Over time, Alex had realized that it was the little things that he found so attractive.