The Boss and the Plain Jayne Bride. HEATHER MACALLISTER

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      “I know.”

      “Men like assertive women.”

      Jayne shot her an exasperated look. “On what planet?”

      “Uh, Planet Eros?”

      “See? Aliens.”

      “Speaking of, how about I set you up with Vincent?”

      “Sylvia!”

      She shrugged. “You gotta kiss a lot of frogs before you find a prince.”

      “For the last time, I do not want to go out with your alien frog second cousin!”

      However... Jayne stopped abruptly and snagged Sylvia’s arm. They’d reached the end of the mall walkway and were standing right by the travel agency they’d walked past on a hundred other lunch hours.

      “What? What?”

      Jayne pointed to a bright poster advertising fun in the Gulf of Mexico. “I think I need a vacation. Or a change in my life. A vacation would be a change in my life.” She turned to the gaping Sylvia. “I was thinking we could book one of those four-day cruises. They’re not very expen—”

      “Yes!” Sylvia had recovered from her astonishment and was pushing Jayne through the double glass doors and straight over to the brochure display. “This is the best idea you’ve ever had!” She started taking two of every brochure with a ship pictured on it, handing one to Jayne as she babbled.

      “When do you want to leave? Can we wait until I lose five pounds? What if we save up and go for a seven-day cruise? We’ll have to watch which line we pick.” She stopped gabbing long enough to flip through one of the brochures. “There are even singles cruises. We should go on one of those to increase the odds. Okay. I think we’ve got one of each.” She smiled brightly at Jayne. “Let’s go eat.”

      Sylvia’s enthusiasm was infectious and they window-shopped through the mall all the way to the deli. Jayne followed Sylvia inside where she was nearly overwhelmed by the pastrami and pickle smell.

      Sylvia inhaled rapturously, then sighed. “This will be our last pastrami on rye until after the cruise.”

      “It will?” Jayne asked, a little overwhelmed by how fast and hard Sylvia had latched onto the cruise idea.

      “We’ll have to start dieting immediately.” Sylvia flashed a big smile at a group of jacketless men, who scooted down on the benches, making room for the two of them. Or more precisely, for the vibrant Sylvia, who beckoned to Jayne.

      Jayne was accepted only because it was obvious Sylvia wouldn’t sit without her. She sighed, but sat down on the bench just the same.

      By the time the men left a couple of minutes later, Sylvia had collected three business cards.

      Jayne leafed through her brochures and tried not to feel envious.

      “So which ships look good?” Sylvia asked as she tossed two business cards into the ashtray and wrote a note to herself on the back of the third.

      “I want to stick to the one that leaves out of Houston,” Jayne said. “It’s more convenient.” She found the cruise line’s brochure in Sylvia’s stack.

      They paged through it until their sandwiches arrived. Just as Sylvia closed the brochure, Jayne caught a glimpse of compelling blue eyes. Blue eyes she’d sworn she’d seen before.

      This was sick. She was obsessing about Garrett, imagining she saw him everywhere. Nevertheless, her heart picked up speed as she opened her own copy. She’d either find those eyes or she’d better start looking for a therapist.

      Paying no attention at all to Sylvia’s chatter, Jayne searched the brochure, locating him immediately.

      Garrett Charles was one of the people posing as passengers for the cruise line. Several of the group were in one of the deck lounges holding drinks with pineapple spears and tiny umbrellas. Garrett and another man stood at the railing nearby. He wore an open neck knit shirt that exposed his throat and just enough chest hair to send Jayne into a near swoon. And that was before she noticed his muscle definition. Once she saw those pecs, Jayne was a goner. Khaki shorts revealed his legs. Or his legs as they’d appeared before Jayne had bashed one with the book cart.

      And then she found the picture of Garrett by the pool.

      “So what do you say, Jayne?” Sylvia asked.

      “Yes, sure,” Jayne mumbled, intent on getting back to the office as soon as possible so she could spend the rest of the afternoon staring at a shirtless Garrett. Maybe if she stared long enough, she’d get over him. He was only a man, for heaven’s sake.

      But it didn’t work, probably because Garrett was no ordinary man. All staring at his pictures accomplished, other than making her fall behind in her project schedule, was to make her nervous about that evening’s class.

      She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t chance another disaster. She’d find somebody else to teach the rest of Accounting for Small Businesses. Somebody who wouldn’t turn into a bundle of lusting nerves at the sight of Garrett Charles. Somebody like...

      

      “Bill, think of this as an opportunity to acquire new accounts.” Jayne spoke in her most mentorlike voice. “I’ve been analyzing your performance during the first half of this fiscal year, and I believe you’re ready to handle one of the recruitment classes.”

      “You think so?” The expression of doubt Bill had worn since Jayne first broached the subject of teaching her classes faded.

      Jayne leaned a well-padded hip against his desk and crossed her arms over her chest. “People equate age with experience—”

      “That’s why you dress the way you do,” Bill interrupted, nodding his understanding.

      “What do you mean?” Jayne straightened and looked down at herself. “What’s wrong with the way I dress?”

      “Nothing. It’s very effective. Isn’t that what I said?”

      “Effective for what?”

      “Jayne.” Bill grimaced with impatience. “Clients look at you and see that you’re all business.” He gestured with his hand. “Suit, shirt and tie equals business.”

      “Oh.” Jayne was placated—

      “Nobody would ever guess you’re as young as you are.”

      —until that crack. She gritted her teeth.

      “So you think these classes are a way I can nab some new accounts?” asked the oblivious Bill.

      “Yes,” Jayne assured him with less enthusiasm than before. “Since you’re young and inexperienced,” she enjoyed pointing out, “this is a way to demonstrate your competence to potential clients.”

      “Could be cool.” Bill nodded to himself then announced, “Okay, I’ll do it, but I can’t СКАЧАТЬ