Free Dear Diary by Nancy Bush

Nick.
    “I’ve been pretty happy here at Jacobson & Kern, but working for you is the great unknown.”
    One brow lifted. “I’m not a slave driver.”
    “Yeah? That’s what they all say. I’m just not sure I want to work for my ex-best friend.”
    “Ex?” He looked surprised.
    “You could’ve been off the planet for the last six or so years, for all I knew.”
    “The phone works both ways.”
    “I emailed last.”
    He laughed. “Is this a contest? Okay, I lose. Feel better?”
    “Not really,” she admitted.
    Nick suddenly got to his feet. “God, it’s good to see you again.” He came around the desk and stopped right in front of her, smiling down into her upturned face. Rory blinked, her pulse jumping erratically.
    “It’s good to see you, too.”
    “You know, you were one of the biggest factors in my decision to buy Jacobson & Kern. Without you, I don’t think the deal would’ve gone through.”
    “Give me a break.” Rory took two steps backward, needing a bit of space.
    “It’s true.”
    “It’s a blatant lie. You’ll never convince me that I had anything to do with it.”
    “Why not?”
    “Because Nick Shard is a shrewd businessman,” she said, drawing a frown from him at the compliment. “A long-term friendship would never enter into any decision you would make for Shard Limited.”
    “Rory, you wound me. I’d do anything for you.”
    “Yeah, except email me.” She laughed and the sound reverberated throughout the boardroom.
    “I’m sorry. You’re right. I’m a shit.”
    “Yeah, you are.”
    They grinned at each other, and Rory realized how much she’d missed him. Missed the lively bantering, the appreciation of each other’s wit. She hadn’t realized how empty she’d felt until just this moment. Nick might have his faults, but he was fair and intelligent, and a whole lot of fun.
    He’d flung his gray sports coat carelessly across the back of the chair, loosened his tie and undone the top button of his shirt. His black hair shone with vitality beneath the muted lights, his skin a rich California tan. He looked the epitome of the successful male.
    “You know something?” she said, pretending to give him the once over. “You’ve aged well.” So well, in fact, that she had to drag her gaze from his strong masculine appearance. Careful, Rory.
    “So have you,” he remarked appreciatively.
    “I can’t believe I’m going to be working for you.”
    “Closer than you know,” he murmured.
    Rory’s moment of pleasure vanished. “Okay, what’s that supposed to mean?”
    “I’ve got a slight problem I want you to handle for me. A friend of mine’s account. He had some problems with Jacobson & Kern about a year ago, but he’s willing to come back. However, we’ll really need to work together on it.”
    Rory said slowly, “You’re talking about the Marsden account.”
    “You know John?” he asked in surprise.
    “Only of him. He was Don—” Rory cut herself off. If Nick didn’t yet know Don Tisdale was the man who’d angered Marsden, she didn’t want to be accused of pointing the finger.
    “I know all about Don Tisdale,” Nick assured her dryly, reading her mind. “John was rather uncomplimentary about him.”
    “What are you going to do?” Rory asked, unable to stop herself. She might not like Don personally, and he’d certainly messed up with Marsden, but overall he wasn’t a bad investment broker. Other clients trusted him implicitly.
    Nick regarded her thoughtfully. “I don’t know yet. Time will tell.”
    The sound of the door caused Rory to jump and Nick to glance past her. Charles Jacobson and Paul Kern entered the room followed by Jacobson & Kern’s eight other investment administrators, including Don Tisdale.
    “Oh, Rory. Good. You’re already here,” Jacobson said in his watery voice. “Don went looking for you.”
    Don, subdued and resentful, met Rory’s gaze coolly. Clearly he felt she’d been getting in good with the boss. Rory