Magnetic Read Free Page B

laughter.
    Molly ignored her. “Layne, I’m shocked.”
    “So am I. She came on to me, and the next thing I knew, we were in my room. But you know…I have no regrets.”
    Jenny cuffed Layne on the shoulder. “That’s my girl.”
    “Yeah, well, you may have regrets one morning if you wake up and something’s growing on your private parts.” Molly stabbed a finger at Layne. “I don’t know how Ronnie’s avoided that with as much as she sleeps around.”
    That notion quelled some of Jenny’s excitement, and Layne blanched.
    “You better get your ass tested,” Molly warned.
    “I don’t think it was her ass that got busy last night,” Jenny said with a chuckle, then looked at Layne. “Or was it? Did you…?”
    “No,” Layne said indignantly, then shrugged. “Well…I did have a lot of champagne.”
    “Oh, my God.” Molly put the heel of her hand to her forehead.

Chapter 3

    Layne popped a couple of Tylenol into her mouth and swallowed them down with a gulp of water as David Calloway strode into her office and closed the door. She was still sore from adjusting to her new bed, and Molly met her every evening to do something with the house. The night before, they’d weeded flower beds. Molly refilled them with a bright array of colors, and Layne had no clue what the flowers were actually called. Perry…Perry something, Layne thought to herself. Zinnias, no Perry somebody.
    David took a seat in front of her desk and stared at her curiously. “Do you remember the night of the Cline & Barry party when I said we needed to talk?”
    “Yes,” Layne said with a nod.
    “I’ve put that off for a month because I knew you were moving and probably had a lot on your mind.” David glanced at the empty spot on Layne’s desk that Olivia’s picture used to occupy. “Are things okay at home?”
    “My new house is great, but I’m living there alone. Olivia and I broke up.”
    David pursed his lips. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
    “It’s okay,” Layne said with a slight smile. “What’s on your mind?”
    David steepled his fingers beneath his chin and regarded her a moment before saying, “You’re not my tiger anymore. There have been times that I literally have had to grab you by the nape of your neck to slow you down, and I haven’t seen that in you for a while. Now I can assume that your relationship has been part of the problem. But I think the other side of that is you’re just flat-out exhausted and quickly approaching burnout.”
    “I’m fine. I’ll admit that things with Olivia had me distracted for a while, but the tiger’s still here.” Layne pawed the air with her hand. “ Rrrrrr , hear me roar.”
    “You haven’t taken a vacation in three years. Most weekends, you’re here, and if not, you’re on the computer at home. While I appreciate the commitment, I think it’s taken a toll on you.”
    “Okay, shoot from the hip. What’re you saying to me, David? Are you planning on replacing me?” Layne asked as her stomach coiled into a knot.
    “Indeed not,” he said indignantly. “You and I have been together too long for me to even consider that. You’d have to totally drop the ball for me to even raise a brow, and I know with your work ethic that you would never allow that to happen. I want my tiger back at full strength. I want to see the fire in your eyes again. I want you to take a vacation starting next week.”
    “I can’t. We’re starting the Bettenford project,” Layne said with a laugh. “I’m on fire. I’m just a little tired from the move. You’ll see the big cat again when we touch down in Sacramento.”
    David shook his head. “No, I won’t. I’m firm on this. I want you out of here for three weeks.” He raised his voice when Layne began to object. “Totally out, Layne. If I see you logged into the computer, I’ll have IT lock you out. Take a cruise or go up to the mountains, do whatever, but I want you doing something besides work.” He cleared his throat