Blame It on the Blackout by Heidi Betts

be doing this just to get me alone, would you? Because we both know that night at the charity was a mistake and—”
    He threw his head back and laughed loudly enough to startle her. “Are you kidding? That was ages ago,” he said, waving a hand in dismissal. “This is business, Luce, and you’re my right hand gal. I need you there. Besides, if I had any thoughts along those lines, we’re alone now and are just about every day. I haven’t tried to jump you yet, have I?”
    Not giving her a chance to respond, he hopped off the desk and silently crossed the oriental carpet in hissock-clad feet. At the archway, he stopped and turned his attention back to her. “So what do you say? Do you trust me enough to help me out on this? I’ll put you up at a great hotel,” he added with a wink.
    Tiny ripples of wariness caused her stomach to contract, but he looked and sounded so sincere, she felt almost guilty for thinking he might be trying to trick her into going along.
    Darting her tongue out to wet her suddenly dry lips, she tipped her head in acquiescence. “Fine, I’ll make the arrangements. But I have to find someone to watch my cat before we can leave.”
    â€œThat’s right, you have a calico, don’t you? Chocolate, Mocha…”
    â€œCocoa,” she supplied, surprised he remembered that much about her personal life. And she didn’t think he’d ever noticed the tiny framed photo tucked away on the far side of her computer monitor.
    â€œCocoa,” he repeated. A warm smile curled the corners of his mouth. “You’ll have to introduce me sometime.”
    She let that comment pass for a moment. “I can’t leave her home alone and I’m not sure any of my friends will be available to check on her.”
    â€œHow about a kennel or a pet sitter?”
    She frowned slightly. “A pet sitter would be okay, as long as she’s reliable, but I won’t even consider a kennel. Cocoa is much too skittish and set in her ways. She’s never been out of my apartment, except to visit the vet.”
    â€œSo you’re a protective pet owner,” he teased with a grin. “I don’t blame you. How would you feel about a male pet sitter, though? Would that be okay?”
    She studied him carefully, wondering what he was getting at to show such interest in Cocoa’s well-being. “Of course. Why?”
    â€œI know a guy…” he told her cryptically, shrugging one shoulder. “If you can’t find anyone else you’d be satisfied with, let me know and I’ll see if he’s available.”
    â€œAll right.” She wasn’t sure what to think of Peter’s helpfulness, but it seemed he was willing to call in a few favors with his friends just to get her to go to New York with him.
    He kept his gaze on her for several more seconds, then shot her a last gentle smile before heading upstairs and returning to work. She watched him go, exhaling lungfuls of stale air and inhaling fresh as she collapsed backward in her chair. Life was never going to be simple again, she thought wearily and with more than a hint of sadness.
    His assurance that this trip would be devoted to business only made her feel more secure about making the arrangements and going along, but it still stung to know their heated, impulsive night together meant so little to him.
    Not that she’d expected anything less. In truth, it’s what she’d hoped for—that a single indiscretion wouldn’t put her job or their friendship in jeopardy.
    She couldn’t be happier, she told herself; she’d gotten exactly what she wanted.
    But for some reason, her father’s voice sounded in her head, warning her to be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.

Six
    â€œS o let me get this straight. You were worried Lucy’d be pregnant from your night of hot sex in a hot elevator, but she isn’t. Then