No Way Out by Fern Michaels (great books for teens .TXT) 📗

that she worked in computer technology and was a guest of Kara and Christian. Within a noticeably short time in conversation, he realized she was quite witty and intelligent.

“You ladies look like you could use a refill. Shall I?” he offered.

They both gave an approving nod, adding, “Why not?” and, “That would be swell.”

He nodded, snapped his heels together, and departed toward the bar.

Kara said, “He’s kinda cute, and I think he might like you.”

“Oh, puleeze . . .” she replied.

“No, seriously. I think he might be smitten,” Kara said.

“Smitten? Did you just get off a Victorian stagecoach?” she teased her friend.

Seeing Prince Charming returning with filled champagne glasses, Kara said, under her breath, “Here he comes. Be nice. You never know.”

He handed both women fresh glasses filled with champagne.

The women took the glasses from his hands. “Thank you” and, “How lovely, thank you.”

Rick was intrigued by the auburn-haired woman. She was witty and articulate.

“What brings you to our soirée?” he asked.

“I work as a beta tester for several tech companies.”

“You must be quite a brainiac,” he replied.

“More like a ‘super-geek,’ ” she answered.

“You are too beautiful to be considered any kind of geek.” Rich was pouring on the charm. It was borderline schmaltz.

He thought he caught her blushing, even if it was just a little.

She smiled warmly, murmured, “Thank you,” and gave a little nod in his direction.

The conversation continued when Kara politely excused herself, giving her friend an opportunity to see how things might pan out.

The gala was being held at an art gallery, a type of venue she always enjoyed visiting. She and Rick walked through the exhibit together, discussing the various artists and their styles. Rick had offered to fetch them another refill when Kara spotted them. She hurried over before Rick could return with their glasses.

“So?” Kara asked eagerly.

“So, what?” she replied, acting as if she had no idea what her friend wanted.

“How’s it going?”

“Fine. He’s very nice. He likes art.”

“Oh my God. Do I have to pull it out of you?” Kara was getting impatient, but in a teasing sort of way.

“No. Ssshhh. Here he comes.”

“Kara!” He handed the glass to his new companion. “I would have gotten you a fresh glass. I thought you would be fluttering around like a social butterfly.”

“I’ve already made my cameo appearances for those who needed to see me.” Kara smiled. She glanced over at a group of people, recognizing someone else she needed to greet. “Oops. Spoke too soon. Be right back. Kara swooped over to the other group, leaving her friend alone with Rick again.

Rick also had to make the rounds. He realized that he had spent almost an hour with this woman, neglecting his duties as one of the hosts. “Listen, I also have to say hello to a few people, especially the ones who wrote out big checks.” He hesitated, but then asked, “It’s been a pleasure meeting you this evening. In case we don’t run into each other before the end of the evening, would you care to have dinner with me? They’re having a private late-night supper after this. The hors d’oeuvres were good, but not enough.”

“That would be nice, but I have plans for later tonight. A rain check?”

“A rain check it is, then.” He fished into his breast pocket and pulled out his business card. “Call me when you’re free.”

She put the card in her purse. “I shall. Thank you.” She put her hand out to shake his, but he took it in his and looked into her eyes. “I hope to see you very soon.” Then he kissed the back of her hand, as he had earlier that evening.

A week later, she called him, and they made a date for dinner. He chose one of the most expensive restaurants in the city. He picked her up in a limo town car. This way, no one had to be concerned about drinking and driving, and a cab was just too shabby if he wanted to impress her. That was one talent Rick did have. He knew how to impress people—until they were no longer impressed.

Chapter Twenty

Colleen was pleased that Jackson had had a good day with his father. She was stunned by the way Jackson described her mother-in-law, laughing and singing. Vivian rarely smiled. As long as it was a good experience for Jackson, Colleen was happy. What she was concerned about was the nightmare he had had that night. When she heard him screaming, she flew out of bed and dashed into his room. Once she had calmed him down, he said he couldn’t remember anything except that a yellow monster with no teeth kept sticking his face in Jackson’s, and Gram was trying to pull the monster off him.

Colleen had no idea what it could have meant, but she suspected it had something to do with his outing with his father. But Jackson had been in a fine mood when he got home. He admitted that he got a little sad when Gram dropped his dad off at Aunt Elaine and Uncle Greg’s, but he insisted that he had had a great day.

She was also incredibly happy that Ellie had been up early and let Jackson into the yard. Colleen wished she had taken a photo of Jackson sleeping on the swing with Buddy underneath. Clearly, there were no nightmares there.

Colleen fussed around the kitchen, assembling Jackson’s requested tuna fish sandwich. She looked in the pantry for sweet relish. There was none. She wondered if she could call Ellie and ask if she had any. Isn’t that what most neighbors do? Of course, Ellie wasn’t most neighbors, so she dropped the idea. “Honey? I’m sorry, but I don’t have any sweet relish to put in your tuna.”

“That’s OK, Mom. Just put some extra celery.” Jackson seemed refreshed after playing with Buddy and taking a siesta on the bench swing. Colleen chopped up a bit more celery and tossed it in the mayonnaise-and-tuna mixture. She finished making the