© 2004

JESSICA WAS SECONDS away from a clean getaway. At a quarter to midnight on a Thursday night, she figured everyone else had left Geller and Patrick, Inc., and she could simply go to the elevator and make it to the street and a taxi without interference. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

Owen McCabe, her boss, her former mentor and current major pain in the butt, popped out of his office one second before she pressed the down button. Not only did he scare the bejesus out of her, but he also made her drop her portfolio, which gave him an excuse to rush over and help her pick up her papers.

“Burning the midnight oil, Jess?”

“Yep, and now I’m exhausted, so if you’ll just give me the-”

“I know,” he said, handing her the prospectus on the new eyeshadow line, “why don’t we go get ourselves a nice nightcap. That’ll help you get right to sleep.”

She took a deep breath as she slipped the papers back into the portfolio. “Thanks, Owen, but I don’t need any help. Just a taxi.”

“I’ve got my car right downstairs.”

“No, that’s okay. You go on home. I’m sure Ellen’s worried that it’s so late.”

“She went to bed hours ago,” he said. “The boys had track today and they wore her out.”

“I understand how she feels.” Jessica pressed the down button again and silently prayed for the elevator to arrive.

“So,” Owen said, leaning against the wall in a not-so-casual effort to appear relaxed, “you all set for next week?”

“Pretty much. Just a few more odds and ends. We’ll be fine. It’s going to be a huge success.”

“Yeah, yeah, it will. Mostly due to your efforts.”

“Nonsense. Everyone’s been working like dogs.”

“With you as captain and commander.”

Six months ago she would have been thrilled by the compliment, but things had changed.