One Night Standards Read Free Page B

never see each other again, except the odd mention in a trade bulletin.
    Too bad she’s a competitor, he thought, putting his ambition aside for a moment as he listened to her musical voice.
    Because I sure would like to get closer to this woman.

    â€œW E ’ RE FINALLY HERE ,” Mark said, his voice sounding slightly disappointed.
    Sophie could hardly believe it. It was eleven o’clock when they rolled into the Bedingfield Arms, and yet the hours had flown by. Considering they’d both avoided talking business, she was surprised at how much they did have to talk about. But he’d traveled around the world, to many of the same cities she’d loved. And they liked a lot of the same movies, the same books, the same music. And while she was exhausted, she was sorry that the trip had to end.
    â€œOh, man, I am dying for a hot shower and a big bed,” he said, in that mint-julep drawl of his.
    She sighed. That sounded good. Sounded even better if she could share one or both with Mark, who was arguably one of the best-looking men she’d ever seen. And the past few hours had only made her bizarre crush stronger, because he was different. Good-looking guys with egos the size of a Cadillac, she wanted nothing to do with. But Mark was funny, and versatile, and smart. He knew how to listen, and he knew how to share…. He had some of the wildest stories she’d ever heard. She’d actually wiped tears away from the laughter several of his anecdotes had produced.
    If only he could write a decent e-mail and knew how to return a phone call, she’d probably go to bed with him, she thought, then bit her own tongue as she started giggling.
    â€œWhat? What’d I miss?”
    â€œNothing,” she said, rolling her own head back, trying to stretch the kinks out of her neck. “Just punchy.”
    â€œYou are the best, you know that?” he said as they parked the car. “Honestly. I haven’t had this much fun on a road trip since the Parker twins needed a ride to Georgia.”
    â€œWell, I’d love to drink to the Parker twins, and you’ll have to tell me that story sometime,” she said, unfolding herself from the car with a groan. “But looks like our sojourn is over, pal.”
    They collected the bags, and she felt a stab of regret. Now that they were at the hotel, he’d undoubtedly go up to his room, she to hers, and never the twain would meet, as it were.
    Still, he was funny, he was nice, and she hadn’t spent this much time with a man after the sun had set since she’d started working at Diva Nation. She needed to get out more. She took a quick glance at his physique as he easily lifted the bulky luggage.
    Getting out’s not the only thing I need.
    She shook her head, clearing it of the thought. Getting any further involved with Mark would be trouble—no matter how much she liked him personally.
    Man, it had been a long day, a long drive. A long night.
    They checked in with the night clerk, and got their keys. As luck would have it, they had rooms right next to each other. They rode the elevator in companionable silence. Finally, they were each at their respective hotel-room doors.
    â€œWell, I guess this is it.” She held out her hand. “Thank you. For the ride, for being a great conversationalist. For everything.”
    His hand was warm and firm in hers. “I feel like we’ve been to war together.”
    She laughed, then bit her lip. “Would a hug be totally inappropriate? Because I swear, after that car ride, I feel like I’m leaving my best friend here.”
    He laughed, put down the laptops and his duffel bag, and held out his arms. Putting down her purse, she moved into his arms, hugging him tightly. He smelled good and felt like a billion dollars, giving the perfect hug…just enough arm, not too crushing, not at all reluctant.
    She was really, really going to miss him. It was ridiculous, after