Free Who Gets the Friends? by Tim Smith Page B

years.”
    “That sounds like fun. On Thursday evenings they have live music on Courthouse Square. What time would you like me to pick you up?”
    “Why don’t I pick you up?”
    “I love a woman who takes charge. How about seven?”
    “I’ll come by for you then. Have a good couple of days, Tom.”
    Jessica hung up but couldn’t wipe the smile from her face.
     
    * * * *
     
    Tom was getting a refill of coffee when he was approached by Karly.
    “Hey, Marathon Man,” she teased. “You got away from me at the party. Hope it wasn’t something I said.”
    He smiled. Not that you’d remember after a couple dozen Jello shots . “No, and thanks for inviting me. I had a great time.”
    She gave an impish grin. “Funny, that’s the same thing Rashida said. I didn’t see much of her that night, either.”
    “Really?”
    “Uh-huh.” She ran her fingertip along his cheek. “I haven’t seen you around the gym.”
    “I’ve been kinda busy, getting my place in order. You know how it is when you move into someplace new.”
    “Yeah, I know. Don’t be a stranger, okay?”
    “Okay.”
    He watched her sway down the hall. What did I say before about her avoiding me after I told her I was a free agent?
    Tom proceeded down the hall toward his office but stopped when he reached Doug’s lair. He sat in one of the chairs, then propped his feet on the edge of the desk.
    “What’s up?” Doug asked.
    “Just taking a coffee break. Those year-end reports are making me cross-eyed.” He sipped his coffee. “I just had the strangest conversation with Karly with a k. ”
    “About what?”
    “She was teasing me about that party she invited me to a couple of weeks ago.”
    “How did that go?”
    Tom tried to hide the grin that crossed his face.
    Doug rolled his eyes. “Don’t tell me you and Karly did the horizontal mambo!”
    “No, she was glued to some guy who looked like he stepped off a horse ranch.”
    “Ah, the rugged bad boy type. I know ‘em well. So why the shit-eating grin?”
    Tom paused. “I hit it off with a friend of hers.”
    Doug chuckled. “Ol’ Tom got back in the saddle in a hurry.”
    “That isn’t why I’m here. What I really wanted to tell you was thanks for arranging for Jessica and me to get back together.”
    Doug eyed him for a moment. “Is that working out?”
    “Seems to be. She came over the other night and tonight we’re going downtown to take in the sights.”
    He sat back in his chair and propped one leg on the other. “Good for you. I have to tell you, I wasn’t sure about doing that, but Peg insisted.”
    “Why?”
    Doug hesitated. “Because after that faux pas at her place the first time you went out, Jessica was pretty upset with herself. She told Peg that she really wanted to see you again, at least so she could apologize.”
    Tom took another sip. Guess I misread the signals . “Thanks again.”
    “You’re welcome. Hey, Christmas is next week. Have you two made any plans?”
    It’s a little soon to be planning holidays together . “I don’t know what she’s doing. She said before that she usually works the holidays, but I haven’t asked her yet.”
    “If you want someplace to go, our door’s always open.”
    Tom stood. “I’ll keep it in mind.”
    He proceeded down the corridor to his office. What Karly said about Rashida made me think of something. We had a great time and she’s a sex machine, but when I made love to Jessica that’s more what it was—making love, not just having sex. Maybe it’s because I really feel something for Jessica, something on a deeper level. She’s an animal in bed but that just made me want to please her even more. Maybe I’m not as shallow as I thought I was.

Chapter Ten
     
     
    Tom climbed into the passenger side of Jessica’s car that evening. She leaned over and kissed him, then plotted a course for downtown.
    “How was your day?” she asked.
    “Tiring. We’re doing year-end account summaries and I think I’m