Free The Book of Jane by Anne Dayton Page B

this was where God wanted me to be, working and living with people who don’t know him. Would I really give this all up?
    I look around again just as the first raindrop hits the ground next to us. Slowly, a tear works its way out of my eye.
    â€œNo,” I say quietly.
    â€œI know.” A raindrop hits his cheek, and I nod. I stare at him, unable to move. I don’t know what to say.
    â€œYou’ll make some lucky man very happy someday,” he says, squeezing my hand.
    I look at him. I know he means it, but what a terrible thing to say at a time like this. I want to sock him in the stomach.
    â€œBut wait,” I say, trying to take this in. “What were you talking about with my father the other day?”
    Ty looks at me sideways. “When?”
    â€œAt my parents’ place,” I shake my head back and forth, realizing that I had wanted this so badly that I had imagined it was finally happening, “I saw you and my father talking at my house.”
    â€œOh,” Tyson says. “The Yankees. I bet him they’d lose to the Sox this year.” Their handshake flashes before my eyes. “Oh Jane. You must have thought…”
    I nod a few quick, angry nods.
    Tyson puts his face in his hands. “I’m so sorry.” We sit in silence for a moment while I think about all the miscues I’ve had. He shakes his head.
    â€œJane, I’m a fool.”
    I nod in agreement.
    â€œBut hopefully I can make this easier on you. I’m moving to Denver at the end of the month,” he says as he stands up.
    Denver?
    â€œThe pace is slower there, and I can get a lot more for my money, and I will be close to the mountains for snowboarding in the winter, and I can settle down and write….” Hetrails off.
    I just nod, not bothering to wipe away the tears that are now streaming down my face.
    â€œYou’ll be fine,” he says, nodding. “You’ll always be fine. You’re strong and smart. You’re the kind of girl who always lands on her feet.” I look away. “In a few weeks you won’t even remember my name,” he says, smiling weakly.
    â€œPlease leave,” I whimper, looking down at the pattern the raindrops are making on the ground.
    â€œI love you,” he says, turning slowly.
    He has never said that before.
    I watch him as he walks to the subway entrance, then stare after him when he disappears down the steps.
    I pull my purse into my lap to have something to clutch to my shivering body and the cold, hard bottle of champagne feels like a concealed weapon. I don’t move, even when the rain begins to beat down on me, even when the air darkens into night.

Chapter 7
    Y ou look like you’ve seen better days,” a deep voice says from across the elevator. I have been trying to keep my head down so no one could see my face, which is puffy and red from crying, not to mention covered in a hideous rash that is definitely growing. I figured if I could make it to my office without being recognized, I could close my door and hide out until the hemorrhoid cream does its magic. It sounds kind of gross, but I have to admit it really does get rid of eye puffiness. It takes a little while to work, though, so I have kept my eyes focused on the ground all morning. What kind of boor is this who can’t recognize that I don’t want to chat? I look up to see Coates Glassman smirking at me. And here I had thought my morning couldn’t get any worse.
    â€œI don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say curtly, looking down at the floor again. This must be the slowest elevator in the world. Of all the mornings for his little visit to Glassman Co.
    The elevator dings, and the doors open. I quickly walk out into the lobby. Coates follows me out and opens the glass doors leading to the row of offices. I mumble a polite thank you and scurry to my office, waving at Natalie.
    I fall down into my chair and turn my