"Telling tales about me is what they were doing," Carl said with a mock frown.

"As I recall," Chuck said, "he was touring when we got married and couldn't come

to the wedding."

Carl nodded. "He'd just gotten in when Jodie called."

"I didn't see the coat in the backseat for several days. It had fallen to the

floor."

"I was wondering if the three of you would like to see the musical showing at theMcCormick. I saw it on Broadway and it's really good."

Lynette shook her head. "As much as I'd like to, I can't ask Chuck's folks to keep

the boys two nights in a row."

"Which is an excuse," Chuck said. "She doesn't want to leave Emily with anyone."

"Well, that's true."

Carl looked at Jodie. "How about you?"

"I'd love to! I haven't gone to the theatre in much too long a time."

"Great. I'll see about tickets for tomorrow night. If they're sold out, we can

catch the Sunday matinee-that is, if you're available."

"I think I can safely say that my social calendar is quite bare either day."

Carl shook his head. "Then the men around here are blind. You look sensational.

Where did you get the tan? The contrast with your blond hair and blue eyes isstunning."

"I was in Hawaii last week."

"Alone?" he asked with a lifted brow.

She glanced at Lynette and Chuck. "Well, not exactly."

"Aha."

"No, no, nothing like that. I was with my boss who had business there."

"He must be eighty years old not to have been aware of you."

Jodie laughed and knew she was blushing. "He's a businessman, completely wrappedup in his company." She refused to look at Lynette. Instead she kept her eyestrained on Carl.

After dinner the men went into the other room while Jodie and Lynette cleaned upthe kitchen. Jodie was putting dishes in the dishwasher when Lynette said, "I havea question. You don't have to answer it, but did Dean make a pass at you while youwere there?"

Jodie took her time straightening and turning to face Lynette. "A pass?" she

repeated, stalling for time.

"You know...did he try to kiss you or suggest you could be more than a secretary tohim? I couldn't help but notice that you blush every time he's mentioned, which hasnever been your reaction to him before." She studied Jodie's face. "You're right.It's none of my business. You're a grown woman and I don't need to hover." Shetouched Jodie's cheek. "I just don't want to see you hurt."

"There's nothing going on between us," Jodie answered truthfully. "He's all

business at the office. Nothing's changed. He's already dating someone else."

"Doesn't take him long, does it?"

"I'm sure they're lined up waiting for him to notice them."

They walked into the living room and Jodie turned to Carl.

"I need to get home. Call me when you have the tickets."

"Even if we don't get the tickets for tomorrow night, I'd like to take you to

dinner."

"I'd like that."

"Good."

"I'll draw you a map to her place," Chuck said. "She's moved since you were here

last."

"Great," Jodie said. "I'll wait to hear from you."

Jodie drove home thinking about the evening. She thought the world of Carl. He was

drop-dead handsome with a wry sense of humor, graduated at the top of his class atMIT, but most important, he was a warm, gracious person.

Nothing like Dean, who had returned to being a bear this past week, growling atwhoever was closest, which was usually her.

The oddest thing, though. He'd sent her a dozen roses today. When she'd thankedhim, he'd nodded without looking up and said, "I noticed the others were fading.It's nice to have fresh flowers in the office."

So the flowers weren't really for her. They were for the office.

Once home, Jodie went to bed. While waiting for sleep, she wondered what Dean wasdoing tonight.

Dean sat at his desk at home and read contracts that had been prepared for newclients. With all the security breaches in the corporate world these days, more andmore companies were looking for high-tech solutions, causing his business toflourish. So why wasn't he more excited about the increase?

Was it possible he was bored?

Of course not. That would never happen.

It was almost midnight before he went to bed. Despite the hour, he had troublefalling asleep.

Carl had managed to get tickets for the Saturday-night performance. He pickedJodie up early enough for them to have dinner before the show.

As soon as she opened the door, he said, "You look fabulous, Ms. Cameron."

"Come in, Carl. You look stunning yourself."

"Stunning?" He quirked his eyebrow.