The Boss's Little Miracle. Barbara McMahon

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      Tanner left the apartment building and plunged into the rain. He strode the two blocks to where he’d left his car, annoyed with himself for reacting so strongly to seeing Anna. She looked as pale as she had that morning. He was glad he’d thought to bring her something to eat. When a person felt bad, they often didn’t feel like preparing meals.

      For a moment he remembered the good times they’d shared. He’d enjoyed her company more than he had anyone else in a long time. When he’d met her, it had been months since he’d been in a relationship with a woman. Jessica had been pushing for marriage, and after the disaster of his early marriage, that institution was the last thing he wanted. He’d broken it off with her last winter and concentrated on work.

      Until he met Anna.

      Most women followed a similar pattern—date, have fun, begin to talk about commitment and long-term. It was at that point he always cut the relationships.

      But he and Anna had not reached that stage. In fact, she was the first one to ever ignore the possibility of a future together. Never once in the three or four weeks they’d dated had she even hinted. He’d been intrigued.

      Now that he knew she was planning to move to Brussels at the beginning of the year it made sense.

      He reached his car and climbed in, shaking some of the rain from his hair. Starting, he pulled out into traffic and headed home. He had a stack of files to review tonight, more interviews tomorrow. The thrill of the new job, the changes he planned, kept him keyed up.

      Taylor had told him about each of the managers, their strengths and weaknesses. He’d been glowing about Anna. Each word emphasized Tanner’s decision not to date an employee. But he missed her. He would like to discuss company strategy, to find out more how she viewed the European market. To see if she still indulged herself with Ghiradelli chocolates and then did an extra ten minutes on the treadmill.

      And, if he were honest with himself, he wanted more than a light brush of the lips.

      In fact, he was surprised at how much he missed her. He hardly remembered Jessica. Before her he’d been involved with a woman named Margo. While his focus had always been on business and the push to succeed, he did like having a pretty companion to go to social events with.

      With Anna it had been different. He was still attracted to her. He and Anna had laughed a lot, he remembered that. For a little while he’d thought he’d found the perfect companion—someone to relax with, to share interests and entertainment. And someone who would not expect to end up married. He should have known it was too good to last.

      His rule was hard and fast. He had certain standards he adhered to and not dating a fellow employee was one—especially when she reported directly to him.

      Still—she was leaving in a few weeks. Maybe they could work something out.

      He shook his head, astonished he’d even give thought to such an idea. Business was business and pleasure was entirely separate. He planned to see it stayed that way!

      Tonight he had a stack of files to review, tomorrow it would be back to business. Anna could take care of herself. She didn’t need him bringing soup, or calling to check on her. And he certainly didn’t need to be kissing her.