One-Click Buy: February 2010 Harlequin Blaze

by Betina Krahn

  Carol sniffed and tried to collect herself. “Because I don’t extend myself. Because I don’t reach out to people and let them know I care. Because I don’t lean on other people for support when I need it.”

  “All good reasons,” Gabrielle said. “And you understand that you’re going to have to change those behaviors to attract friends, and maybe lovers?”

  She nodded. “Yes. And I will, if I ever get out of this endless loop I’m in.”

  Gabrielle pushed to her feet. “There’s an old truism that says, ‘If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’ve got.’ To break out of your endless loop, maybe you need to do something unexpected.”

  Carol gingerly stood. “Like what?”

  Gabrielle smiled. “That’s up to you. It’s time to say goodbye.”

  “I won’t see you again?”

  The woman smiled wide. “Every week at the Red Tote Book Club as long as you choose to. Good luck with your journey back.”

  Carol nodded and brushed her hands down the skirt of her Friday suit. Then she walked to the door of the storage room and let herself out in the hallway.

  Her feet were heavy as she moved toward the elevator and her hands shook uncontrollably. She didn’t want to be the old woman everyone in the scene on the monitor talked about—the recluse whose only pastime was watching TV. The woman who was alone.

  Completely, absolutely, utterly alone.

  As Carol approached the elevator, she noticed that once again, preparations were underway for the afternoon party. Red decorations of cupids and hearts abounded. Blowups of some of the company’s Valentine’s Day cards leaned against the wall, including the “take no prisoners” card she’d seen on her assistant’s desk.

  The volunteers shot unwelcome looks her way as she walked by.

  If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’ve got.

  Carol pivoted and turned back. “Hi,” she said to the group of about twenty. “My name is Carol and I work in the finance department. And I was wondering if you could tell me what you’d do with a thousand dollars if it fell out of the sky.”

  At first the employees were shy about speaking up, but the more probing questions that Carol asked about their families, eventually everyone opened up. She’d expected them to give answers such as a family vacation or a plasma television, not things like medical bills, car repairs, or a new heating unit for their home.

  She enjoyed the conversation and appreciated their honesty. When she walked away, she had a better understanding of what kinds of daily financial obligations the average family faced—from school expenses to insurance to caring for elderly parents.

  On the ride up to her floor, Carol turned to each person in the elevator and asked them a question about their job. At first, people looked at her warily. That’s when Carol realized that people really did see her as cold and uncaring.

  And why not? She hadn’t given anyone a reason to think anything else—not potential friends and not potential lovers.

  Luke’s face floated into her mind. That was about to change she just hoped she wasn’t too late.

  14

  When the elevator doors opened and Carol walked into her department, Tracy looked up from her desk where she was playing with her “new” computer. All around the bullpen, employees were comparing their machines and the peripheral equipment she and Luke had scavenged from the storage room the night before.

  “Look at all this loot!” Tracy exclaimed. “I assume you had something to do with this. I know you’ve been trying to get the departmental budget increased for a couple of years now.”

  “I have,” Carol said. “But I can’t take credit for any of this. Luke Chancellor pulled strings and had unused machines from sales transferred over to our department. We owe him a huge debt of thanks.”

  Tracy blinked. “I thought you hated Luke Chancellor.”

  Carol pulsed with shame—what a bitter person she’d become over the years. James wasn’t to blame—she’d allowed herself to get that way. “I’m sorry if I’ve given you or anyone else that impression. Of everything I know about Luke Chancellor, he’s a decent and good man, and he’s brought a lot of prosperity to our company.”

  Tracy angled her head. “Ms. Snow, are you okay?”

  Carol gave a little laugh. “I’m a little tired and headachey, but overall, yeah, I’m good.”

  Tracy winced. “Uh…that would be my fault.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Her assistant pointed to the coffeemaker in the corner. “I accidentally bought decaf coffee. So for the last week—no caffeine…which is probably why you’ve been tired and getting headaches.” She gestured to the bullpen. “In fact, I think it’s why everyone around here has been so cranky lately. I’m sorry if anyone has been rude.” She cleared her throat. “Including me.” She handed Carol a full steaming cup of coffee. “This should give you a boost and get rid of your headache.”

  Carol reached up to touch her forehead. “Thanks, but there’s another reason—” She stopped when she couldn’t find the lump that had been there before…many times. “Never mind,” she murmured, perplexed anew.

  “You’re late for the directors’ meeting,” Tracy said. “Oh, and I revised the memo. You’ll have a clean copy on your desk when you get back.”

  “Great—and thanks for the coffee.”

  Carol hurried to the room where the directors’ meeting was held, but still took time to speak to coworkers along the way. Each time puzzled looks turned to genuine smiles, her mood buoyed higher.

  Being the good guy felt…pretty darn good.

  When she walked into the room, her fellow directors looked up and even though she sensed not all of them were happy to see her, she offered an apologetic smile to the room, then settled into an empty chair.

  Her gaze swung to Luke, who sat at the head of the table. The sight of his handsome face took the breath from her lungs…she was head over heels in love with him. But she had to keep herself in check because as far as he was concerned, the only physical contact they’d had was a near-miss kiss in the storage room.

  Luke offered her a friendly smile. “We were just getting ready to send out a search party for you, Carol.”

  “Sorry I’m late. I hope I didn’t hold up the meeting.”

  “We heard a Good Samaritan delivered new computer equipment to your department this morning,” Janet, the art director, said with a smile.

  All gazes slid toward Luke. He held up his hands. “It was Carol’s idea—I just…facilitated.”

  “Not true,” Carol said. “It was Luke’s idea, and he took care of everything. Everyone in my department is very happy, so I’d like to thank Luke publicly.”

  He seemed surprised by her speech, but pleased. “Okay, moving right along…we were about to take another vote on the issue of bonuses.” He looked back to her. “I think it’s pretty clear that anyone dissenting is following your lead, Carol, so I guess we can cut to the chase by asking if you’ve changed your mind about paying out a one-time employee bonus of one thousand dollars?”

  The weight of a roomful of stares shifted to her. Luke looked hopeful, and Carol knew he was thinking of her comment in the storage room last night that she might reconsider her position.

  So many things had happened since last night…where to start?

  Carol took a deep breath. “As a matter of fact…yes, I have changed my mind. I’ve had a chance to talk to a small sample of employees and I realize now what a one-time payment of a thousand dollars can do for a family and for employee morale. If we can’t afford to reward everyone when we’ve had a good year, then when can we? I recommend that we approve bonuses immediately.”

  Luke’s eyes widened in surprise, then a smile broke over his face. “All in favor?” It was a unanimous vote. Luke could barely contain his enthusiasm—it endeared him to her that much more. He gave her a little nod of thanks that made her heart squeeze…and scared her a litt
le. How could she feel so close to him in such a short period of time? And would his feelings ever “catch up” with hers?

  Carol left the meeting and when she reached her department, everyone was in a celebratory mood—apparently word of the approval of the bonuses had leaked out and maybe the coffee change had helped, too. Her own headache had vanished and her energy level had returned. Carol circulated with her employees as they inspected their new computers. When she made it into her office, she decided to leave the door open to draw on the infectious creative energy of the group.

  Carol had another reason to be happy—the red skies were gone. Meaning, there would be no blizzard…which didn’t matter anyway because she was eager to go to the company party this time and have fun.

  And see Luke.

  She had a hard time concentrating on the mountain of paperwork on her desk, even though she had it memorized by now. She was antsy waiting for Luke to knock on her door and ask her to walk down with him to the party. If they got together at the party, he would ask her to Valentine’s Day dinner tomorrow night—like all the times before—instead of the blonde she’d seen in her vision. And this time, she’d say yes. Carol kept checking her lipstick in the tiny mirror in her desk drawer, reminding herself she needed to play it a little cool.

  While she had a free minute, though, she pulled out her phone and sent Gabrielle a happy update via text message.

  Forget seduction—I’ve surrendered to love.

  A couple of minutes later, Gabrielle replied.

  Glad you found a way to break the continuous loop.

  Carol squinted. “What the?” It was almost as if the real Gabrielle had been privy to…

  No, that couldn’t be.

  A knock sounded at her door.

  Her heart surged when she saw Luke standing there, looking gorgeous in his brown slacks and pale blue dress shirt, minus a tie. “Come in.”

  “Hey, I like your new open-door policy. Wish more directors thought like us.”

  She warmed under his praise and reminded herself she wasn’t supposed to know why he’d dropped by. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

  He crossed to her desk and picked up a ball of rubber bands. “I just wanted to stop by and thank you for reconsidering your position on the employee bonuses. You made a lot of people happy today.”

  “The credit is yours, Luke. Not only was it your idea, but it’s under your leadership that sales has thrived.” She gave him a warm smile. “We’re lucky to have you.”

  He stared at her, but his eyes were unreadable. “Thank you.”

  Suddenly he replaced the ball on her desk and stepped back. “I’d better get going.”

  “Wait,” she said, reaching for her briefcase and coat. “I’ll walk down to the party with you.”

  “Uh, actually…I’m not going to the party.”

  Disappointment zigzagged through her. “But…the party was your idea.”

  He nodded. “I know.”

  She desperately cast around for more excuses to get him to the party. “And…the bonus checks will be given out. I thought you’d want to be there for that.”

  “I do, but…something came up. I was invited to a Steeplechase and since the weather is so nice this afternoon I decided to go.”

  Carol swallowed hard. “Steeplechase, huh?”

  She had a clear memory of a leggy, busty blonde smiling up at him. I guess it was my lucky day when I decided to go with my friend to the Steeplechase…I never dreamed I’d meet someone like you, Luke.

  And just like that, Carol remembered the icicle card that Luke had planted in her book club tote bag. That was what he truly thought of her…the Ice Princess who wouldn’t thaw. All of this flirtation…all of this buttering up was really to get her support for his bonus program. And now that he had what he wanted, he was pulling back. She could sense it…could see it in his eyes…in the way he avoided her.

  “Uh, yeah,” he said, then shrugged awkwardly. “You know—horses jumping and…stuff. Sounds…interesting.” He couldn’t seem to make eye contact.

  Carol smiled and nodded, not trusting herself to speak. How ironic that she’d finally opened her heart to a man—and to others because of him—and he didn’t want her.

  She was two for two. First James, now Luke.

  But underneath the hurt and disappointment, there was gratitude. Because without Luke’s merciless teasing and prodding, she never would’ve tried to enact revenge on him…and never would’ve come to realize how she’d been sporting a Back Off sign on her forehead. That by closing herself off to the hurtful things in life, like loss and rejection, she’d also closed herself off to the good things in life, like love and sensuality.

  And even friendship.

  So…tomorrow night while Luke was taking Blondie out on the town, Carol would be on the phone, going down a list of old friends that she’d lost touch with and trying to reconnect.

  With jerky body language, Luke pointed to the door. “So…we could share an elevator down.”

  “Sounds good,” she said, with the nicest smile she could manage considering her heart was breaking. She’d have to get used to working with him and hiding her feelings. She draped her coat over her arm and picked up her briefcase. They walked to the elevator. Her mind raced to concoct small talk, but she couldn’t seem to come up with anything.

  Luke pushed the call button, then whistled under his breath, obviously wanting to be anywhere else. Carol felt foolish for suggesting they ride down together. When the car finally came, they walked on, instantly going to opposite sides. He pushed Lobby and she pushed Basement. The doors closed and they started their downward descent.

  “So…” Luke alternated looking at the ceiling and at his feet. “I guess the rumor is true.”

  Carol lifted her eyebrows. “What rumor?”

  Luke shrugged. “The reason you’re in such a good mood all of a sudden.”

  She froze. “What reason would that be?”

  “Because of a man.”

  Carol wanted to die on the spot. The only thing worse than pining for a man is him knowing you’re pining for him. Her mind sprinted ahead—what would the women in the book club advise her to do?

  And the answer came to her instantly: Lie.

  “There is a man,” Carol admitted, but she was unable to look at Luke—she was afraid he’d see in her eyes that it was him she was crazy about.

  “Oh,” he nodded. “That’s good. Anyone I would know?”

  “No,” she said emphatically. “You and he would never cross paths.” Not a lie, actually.

  The doors dinged open to the lobby and not a second too soon. Luke stepped off then turned around. “I’m glad you found someone, Snow. Hope you and your boyfriend have a nice Valentine’s dinner.”

  “Thank you,” she said. “Enjoy Richardson’s.”

  As the doors closed, he was squinting and mouthing, “Richardson’s?”

  15

  After her humiliating exchange with Luke about the rumor that a man accounted for her new good mood, Carol was tempted to skip the company party and go home to watch TV shows on her DVR. The only thing that stopped her was the memory of the Red Tote Book Club members as seniors describing her as a recluse. In time the rumor mill would die down. In the meantime, she meant to adhere to her new philosophy of extending herself to coworkers.

  She could hear the noise of the party even before the elevator stopped. When the doors opened, the full force of music, laughter and voices blasted her. Her stomach churned, both at the known and the unknown, but with an underlying excitement about the new outlook she had on people and relationships in general. A few heads turned in her direction and Carol extended a smile. When they reciprocated, she moved forward to properly introduce herself.

  The party was fun, and a great place to practice her newfound skills. When she spotted her assistant Tracy, she walked over to say hello.

  “I didn’t get to tell you before you left,” Carol said with a smile, “but
the memo is topnotch.”

  Tracy dimpled. “Really?”

  “Really. Perfect grammar, spelling, and just a well-written piece of documentation.”

  “Thank you, Ms. Snow.”

  Carol touched the young woman’s hand. “No, thank you, Tracy, for all the things you do for me and for helping to keep the department running.”

  Tracy stared at her, then burst into tears.

  Carol blinked and patted her shoulder. “What on earth? What’s wrong, Tracy?”

  “I did something really mean.”

  Carol shook her head. “I can’t imagine you would do something that mean.”

  Tracy nodded her head like a little girl. “I did it, and I’m sorry.”

  “What did you do?”

  The young woman pressed her lips together, then blurted, “I put a card comparing you to an icicle in one of your bags.”

  Carol’s eyebrows went up. “That was you?”

  “I’m so sorry, Ms. Snow. It was a very mean, immature thing to do. I wouldn’t blame you if you fired me.”

  Carol thought back to all the times she’d had nothing but criticism and harsh words for her assistant, and squeezed the redhead’s shoulders. “I wouldn’t dream of firing you. But thank you for telling me.”

  Tracy excused herself to repair her makeup, which left Carol alone with a new revelation.

  So Luke Chancellor hadn’t planted the unflattering card in her tote bag after all. She shook her head. And yet she’d been determined to make that man suffer for something he hadn’t even done.

  And yes, she was glad to know that he hadn’t thought so poorly of her.

  She looked in the direction of the storage room, half afraid to go near it, but conceding that one loose end begged to be tied up: her lost earring.

  Carol’s heart began to thump and she found her feet moving toward the room that still represented so many secrets and mysticisms that she wasn’t sure she should go back inside. On the other hand, what kind of nut believed in a time travel portal in the storage room of a greeting card company?