Hot Property (Hot Zone 4)

AMY KEPT BUSY. AT WORK SHE’D been given new clients and she’d also shadowed both Annabelle and Sophie through various events and meetings, learning by example. Her uncle Spencer was pleased with her progress at the Hot Zone and he took her to dinner to tell her so. She joined a gym and went there at night so she didn’t have to spend so much time in an empty apartment. There she met other single women in a yoga class, one of whom she’d become friendly with. All and all, her life was exactly what she’d wanted when she’d planned to come to New York.

Unfortunately the life she’d imagined hadn’t included John Roper. Having been with him, she was afraid she’d never be the same without him. And working at the Hot Zone, where she read the papers and blogs to keep up with damage control, guaranteed she was reminded of him daily. Buckley hadn’t let up on him, but the rest of the papers had, due in the most part to the fact that he’d been at the gym every day.

But Amy was reminded of him nightly when she lay in her bed, tossing and turning. How could she not when their last encounter had included his declaration of love.

One she hadn’t been able to verbally reciprocate even though she knew without a doubt, she felt it deep in her heart. How could she not love a man who was so kind and generous, thoughtful and caring? Not just to his family but to her, as well. He’d made her wish for a day in the snow come true in a way that went beyond special. He could have just taken her outside. Instead he’d planned a fantasy afternoon.

But that was the problem. No matter what they both felt in here, she thought, her hand rising to her chest, it had been a moment out of time. Real life meant obligations he couldn’t extricate himself from and cameras that followed him everywhere he went.

That was a life of his choosing. Not hers.

Frustrated with her train of thought, she tossed her pen down onto her desk. Obviously she couldn’t concentrate on work. A glance at her watch told her it was late in the afternoon. She’d had it for today. With nothing pressing keeping her at the office, she decided to head home.

She began packing her bag, taking select things to review with her when she heard a knock at her door. “Come in,” she called, hoping nobody had an assignment that would keep her in the office later. She was more exhausted than she’d realized.

She glanced up at the same time her visitor strode inside. “Roper,” she said, surprised to see him. Her stomach flipped, nerves fluttering inside her.

“Hey, there,” he said casually. As if nothing important had happened the last time they’d met.

I love you. She considered that important.

He looked healthy and well. She knew from Micki and Yank that, despite his family obligations, he had been focusing on his recovery. Though he’d miss the beginning of spring training, the doctors were hopeful for a full recovery. But also according to Yank and Micki, his family still pulled his strings.

And he still let them.

“Let me guess. You just happened to be in the neighborhood. Visiting Yank or Micki?” She gripped the handle of her tote bag hard, yet strove for normalcy in her voice. Like in the deodorant commercial, she wouldn’t let him see her sweat.

“Nope.” He shut the door behind him. “I’m here to see you.”

“Oh.” Her mouth grew dry. “I was just leaving for the day.”

“Then I can walk you out.”

She shrugged. “That’s fine.”

He helped her on with her coat and they started for the door. “You look good,” he said.

Such a simple compliment and yet she grew warm all over. “Same for you. I hear your therapy is going well,” she said.

“I’m trying. The shoulder’s getting stronger. It helps that I’ve lowered my expectations of trying to be back in time for spring training. I find I’m more focused.”

They rode down the elevator and walked onto the street. “I was going to take a cab, but it’s a little warmer today so I think I’ll walk a bit,” she said.

“Sounds good. I’ll join you.”

They walked in silence, but the comfortable feeling they’d found at the lodge was gone. “How’s your family?” she finally asked when she couldn’t stand the stiff silence between them any longer.

“Good, actually.” He perked up at the question. “I’m glad you asked. It ties into the reason I wanted to talk to you. My mother has her hands full with Harrison and—”

The sudden singing noise from her cell phone interrupted him. She dug into her jacket pocket and pulled out her phone. “Sorry,” she said, glancing down and seeing a 718 phone number she didn’t recognize.

“Hello?”

“Amy, it’s Uncle Spencer,” his warm voice said.

“Hi, Uncle Spencer,” she said, more for Roper’s benefit so he’d know who was on the phone. “What’s up?” she asked.

Roper shoved his hands into his jacket pockets and waited patiently.