Page 25 of Dance with Me on New Year's Eve

“I’m aware,” Jeff said dryly. “But this business is different. He doesn’t—” He stopped, running his hands through his short dark hair. I’d never seen him do that before. It actually made him seem … human. A little bit. After a slow inhale and exhale, he said quietly, “It’s fine. Don’t worry about it, Roxanne.”

I opened my mouth to object and then closed it. Why would I worry about him or the finances? I didn’t need to care about that. Despite not caring though, I said, “Hazel’s been leaning on you a lot more, hasn’t she? You are busier than I thought.” I briefly considered asking if I could do more to help. If it were anyone else, I would in a heartbeat.

“I told you it’s fine,” he barked.

Well then. He didn’t deserve my offer of help. Not that he’d even take it anyway.

“Anyway, I’ll just reschedule with the contractors. I have to go now,” he said, with both his voice and his face seeming more neutral now.

I nodded curtly and dug my phone out of my pocket. “OK, bye.”

He stood for a moment, a few seconds probably, before I heard a soft exhalation and footsteps as he gathered his things and then closed the door behind him.

How was I going to survive the coming months?

Chapter 6

Ipicked at the grass in front of me, searching for the longest, softest blade while trying to ignore the prickly ones biting at my bare ankles and calves beneath me. I had stupidly forgotten to bring a blanket or even a chair. Going back to the apartment to retrieve a blanket sounded like too much work, especially in this heat. And, of course, every bench and picnic table in the square block that Shipsvold called a park was either occupied or nowhere near the shade. So here I was, pretending to enjoy nature at midday on a sweltering July day.

Suddenly a voice—the last one I wanted to hear—shattered the blissful peace and humming of nature.“Roxanne. Where have you been all summer? I never see you in the offices.”

I glanced up briefly, and Jeff was staring down at me with hands on his hips.

“Why do you care?” I snapped.

The silence was thick as I refused to meet his eyes, looking instead at his feet, which shuffled a bit.

“I do care. Because we’re supposed to be working together, but you’re apparently taking an extended vacation.”

“I’m not!” I protested, seething. “Have I not been as responsive as usual over email and text?”

He ignored my question, instead probing further, “Why haven’t you come into the new office? Or even the resort office?”

Why would he care? “It’s called working from home, Jeffrey. You should try it. It wouldn’t kill you to loosen that tie once in a while.”

His eyes widened slightly. Honestly, I was as shocked ashe was. I was the sort of person who always thought of the best comebacks long, long after a conversation was over.

He cleared his throat. “My work attire is just fine. But thank you for noticing.”

I felt my face heat up even more than before. “I didn’t—”

“Do you want some ice water?”

“What?”

“It’s a simple question, Roxanne.” He held out a water bottle that was still sealed.

I gripped the bottle as my fingertips briefly brushed the side of his hand, causing a tiny shiver that was totally at odds with the heat today. “Thank you,” I said softly, unsure what was going on.

“Where’s your laptop?” he demanded after watching me take a long drink.

“What?”

“You said you’re working from home.”

“Oh, I do work from home often. But I’m not home. I don’t live in the park, Jeffrey.”

“So you’re on vacation?”

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