Free Never Say Never by Linda Hill Page B

looked relieved.

    “We’ve got a little disaster this morning, and John Austin just spent the last hour down here quizzing me on deadlines.”
    “Ouch. No wonder you’re a little grouchy this morning.”
    “Who’s grouchy?” I squinted my eyes and growled. “Okay, out you go. That’s all the abuse I can take this early on a Monday morning.” I stood up and shooed her toward the door. “Why don’t you round up Billy and his people and plan on meeting back here at eleven for a briefing, okay?”
    “Aye, aye.” She saluted me and was nearly out the door before turning back.
    “I . . I’m sorry I took off last week without telling you. I should have let you know that I was leaving.”
    I nodded and shrugged casually. “It’s not like I worried or anything. Or missed you.”
    “Not even a little?” she teased.
    “Well,” I conceded, “maybe just a bit.”
    She seemed satisfied and laughed. “How about dinner tonight? Do you have plans?”
    “No plans. Dinner would be nice.” She nodded and smiled and started to leave the room. “Oh, Sara,” I called her back in.
    “Yeah?”
    “Did you, uh, just get in? From Boston, I mean.” She nodded.
    “I came straight from the airport. Why?”
    Relief washed over me. “Oh, nothing. I just wondered.” The look on her face said she knew there was more to it than that. “Sure. See you later.” She shook her head and stepped from the room.
    My heart felt suddenly lighter. Sara certainly had a way of adding a kind of roller-coaster element to my life. But I had to admit I was glad she was back.
    The day was a long one. We huddled for hours, tediously going over line after line of code until at list the problem was identified, the resolution agreed upon. It was a weary but satisfied group that left the office just after nine o’clock that evening. I hadn’t seen Sara for several hours. She had poked her head into my office just after six o’clock to say she was headed back to the hotel and to wish us luck. As I trudged my way through the hotel lobby to the bank of elevators, I knew the last thing I wanted to do was go out to dinner. A nice warm shower and a soft bed was all I could think of.
    As I fumbled to unlock my door, Sara came around the corner at the far end of the hall, dressed casually in T-shirt and shorts, and carrying a bucket of ice under one arm.
    “Hey, you survived!” she called, eyes wide as she smiled.
    “Barely,” I mumbled, trying to manage a smile as she drew closer.
    Her brows drew together in a frown as she reached me. “You look exhausted.”
    “I am,” I admitted. “But I think we found all the bugs. We’ll know in the morning.”
    “Good,” she nodded. “You haven’t eaten, have you?”
    “No, but I think I have to take a rain check on dinner. I’m pooped.”
    “But you must be starved. Why don’t we just order up? You go change and I’ll order room service and join you, okay?”
    “Sure.” How could I say no?
    I let myself into my room, unlocked my side of the adjoining door, and called the front desk for messages. Michelle had called.
    The home office had called. The home office could wait. I rang Michelle and was disappointed to get her answering machine. I left a brief message, thanking her again for a wonderful weekend.
    Next, I rummaged around until I found some comfortable sweatpants and T-shirt, then laid on the bed and closed my eyes.
    I must have dozed off, because the next thing I knew there was a knock on the door followed by a booming voice calling out, “Room service!” Sara bounded from one of the chairs near the table and intercepted the waiter before I could even sit up. I shook my head to get my bearings, wondering how long she had been sitting there. She ushered the young man in and stood to one side as he laid out two place settings. He fussed around until she signed the check and slipped some singles into his hand.
    “I’m sorry. I must have dozed off,” I mumbled once we were