Free Strange Bedpersons by Jennifer Crusie Page B

Welch snapped at him. “When I can’t take it, I’ll let you know.”
    “Actually I really am looking forward to hearing you read,” Tess said, sinking into her chair.
    “Because you’re so taken with my philosophy?” Welch asked, baiting her.
    “No, I’m not crazy about your philosophy,” Tess said. “I just like your writing.”
    She smiled at him cheerfully, and Welch blinked in disgruntled surprise. “Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome,” Tess said. “Your house is nice, too. Did you pick out the sampler in my bedroom?”
    Welch snorted with laughter. “You liked that, did you?”
    “Loved it,” Tess said.
    Welch laughed again and then turned to the woman on his left. “You should see this sampler, Tricia,” he said to her, and she cooed at him, practically consuming him with obvious celebrity-collector’s greed.
    “Who’s she?” Tess asked Nick when Welch turned away and Henderson began to serve.
    “This is a good sign,” Nick murmured at the same time. “He’s taking me pretty seriously to sit us here. But, God, Tess, watch your mouth. Don’t blow this for me.”
    “I think he likes it when I talk back,” Tess said, but then she was distracted by Henderson. “I want one of those,” she whispered to Nick.
    “What would you do with him if you had him?” Nick whispered back. “Staple signs to him for demonstrations?”
    Tess sighed. “I just like the way he controls the universe. You know, before dinner somebody was saying that he even watches what Welch eats because he has a heart condition. Welch doesn’t even have to do his own dieting. Henderson sees to it.” She shook her head in admiration. “It would be really nice to have a man around to take care of me like that.”
    “Hey.” Nick pointed to his chest. “Let’s not forget the obvious here. What about me?”
    She looked at him, warm and broad and smiling next to her, and thought, anytime, but all she said was, “You’re cute, but you’re no Henderson.”
    “Hey,” Nick said again, but then Henderson began to serve, and Tess minded her manners beautifully through most of the entree.
    Then Welch pushed his plate back and said, “So, Miss Newhart,” and Tess looked at him inquiringly.
    “You say you’re not crazy about my philosophy,” Welch went on. “Now your philosophy would be what, exactly?” He looked at her from under his brows, and Tess saw a definite challenge there.
    Be good, she reminded herself. This is important for Nick. “My philosophy is to behave myself so I get invited back for dinner again,” she told him.
    “This is excellent beef. Does Henderson do your cooking?”
    “No,” Welch said, “and you’re ducking the question.”
    “Well, I’m trying to behave,” Tess said. “It’s always a struggle for me. Now where exactly did you get Hen—”
    “The hell with behaving,” Welch said. “Show a little spirit. I know you’re under Jamieson’s thumb here, but you must have some ideas of your own.”
    Tess held back the first dozen retorts that occurred to her. “Can’t think of one. You know us women. Short on philosophy, long on shopping.”
    “Didn’t pick this one for her brains, did you, Jamieson?” Welch said, but he kept his eyes on Tess.
    “Tess is brilliant—” Nick began quietly, but Tess waved him silent.
    “What are you up to?” she asked Welch, and was rewarded with a grin. “I thought so. You’re just trying to get me in trouble. Well, forget it. Pass the butter.”
    “A woman without a philosophy,” Welch said, passing her the butter dish. “Why am I not surprised?”
    “All right, all right, I have a philosophy,” Tess said, trying to play the game for Nick’s sake. “Well, it’s not really mine. It’s one I borrowed. I had a friend a very long time ago who used to say that the only way to live life was to look for the best in every day and make sure I had a part in creating some of it. That still works for me.”
    “Oh, Lord,” Park