Click - A Novella Read Free Page A

that his father had heart trouble.
    “Are you all right?” Emily had asked. “Is something wrong?”
    Without thinking, she’d reached out to touch his arm, to run her hand down it in consolation.
    So he’d told her, and caught the brightness in her eyes, the sympathy and sorrow there. For a moment he’d allowed himself to grieve, leaning back against the wall of the elevator.
    “I’m so sorry,” she’d said softly.
    The pain wasn’t any less, but it loosened in his chest.
    Unlike so many of the others he’d spoken to that long day, Emily’s sympathy had seemed genuine. To him it seemed as if everyone else had been as much aware of his money as they were of his grief. Oh, he had friends, work and business friends, but not the kind he could consider talking to about something like that.
    Then this afternoon he’d caught a glimpse of Emily entering the building as he’d returned from his meeting. It was obvious she’d been traveling. She usually clipped her hair back when she was on the road, but it was different today. He’d always liked the naturally tousled look of her wavy hair, but this was the first time he’d seen it up, exposing the slender, vulnerable nape of her neck. To his surprise he found there was something sexy about that. If she was a bit frazzled from the hassles of dealing with airlines it hadn’t marred the smile she’d flashed at Tony. From the way he stood, Robert could tell the doorman was clearly protective of her.
    Robert could understand that. As capable as she was, he felt the same way.
    He gestured her ahead of him, and was even more concerned when she dropped her head back against the seat and closed her eyes. She looked tired. That wasn’t like her, and, after a moment, she proved it by sitting up straight to smile at him.
    “You didn’t have to do this,” she said, with a wan smile, “but I appreciate it.”
    She was paler than usual, and strained.
    “You look like you could use a glass of wine,” he said, reaching for the bottle of merlot his driver Eliot had waiting for him.
    For a moment, she hesitated, and then admitted, “I could.”
    “Bad day?” he asked, handing her a glass.
    With a wry grin, she said, “You could say that. I brought in a big account, got bumped by the airlines on my way home, was dumped by my boyfriend and met his new girlfriend all in the same day.”
    *****
     
    The instant she said it, Emily wanted to take it back. She couldn’t believe she’d actually said the words. What was I thinking? Color flooded her cheeks even as she fought back the tears she wouldn’t show in the office. She wouldn’t show them here, either. Robert didn’t need her crying all over him.
    “Busy day,” was all he said.
    A burst of laughter escaped her.
    She shot a look at Robert, but there was only sympathy in his eyes. He’d been trying to lighten the mood, to make her laugh.
    And he’d succeeded.
    She grinned weakly. “You might say that.”
    *****
     
     “Why did he break up with you?” Robert asked, signaling Eliot to just drive. It didn’t matter where.
    His chauffeur nodded.
    Robert couldn’t imagine it. He enjoyed Emily’s quick mind and her bubbly nature, as well as her pretty face and all that thick hair. She also wasn’t made of skin and bones like so many of the women with whom he came in contact. She was curved in all the right places, too. If she hadn’t already been taken, he’d have asked her out himself. He suspected she’d be fun to be around, adventurous without being wild. But he’d respected her relationship, even if he’d considered Dan – who he’d met in the elevator with Emily a few times – a bit too emotionless, too formal and distant, for Emily.
    Almost involuntarily, Emily lifted a hand to her hair, combing her fingers through it. “This, among other things.”
    “What’s wrong with your hair?” Robert asked, puzzled.
    “Wrong style,” she said, and smiled wryly again. “I like my hair. I just can’t bring