Momentary Marriage(6)

“The gallery sounded interesting,” she extemporized.

“More photogravure?” he asked, mentioning an old photographic technique that was enjoying a resurgence.

“No, some artist who got a decent review in the Times.”

“Really? We’ll have to go look at his work together sometime,” he said, hope and excitement shining softly in his blue eyes.

“It wasn’t that good,” Kelsey said hastily.

Just as Doug opened his mouth—to question her further, she knew—Jared appeared in the doorway.

“Good morning. How’s my elevator buddy?” Jared’s dark eyes gleamed with amusement and a lingering warmth.

Kelsey stood up as he came in, ignoring the tingle of excitement that his presence always brought. “No lasting damage.”

If she didn’t count the hot, sexual dreams that had disturbed her sleep last night. Who’d have thought elevators would rank so high on her list of erotic fantasies?

Those few moments locked in his arms had left an impact she was trying to ignore. Having him this close in her tiny office wasn’t helping, either. His delicious, male smell, the warmth from his body seemed to pervade the room. She’d thought pheromones were supposed to be subliminal, but at this moment, her every nerve ending was on alert. There was nothing unconscious about her attraction to Jared.

His smile held the faintest impression of a dare, as if he knew she was trying to resist her attraction to him.

“I’m glad you weren’t hurt,” Jared said, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment before he glanced at Doug. “Have you looked at the proofs?”

The next fifteen minutes were filled with talk of work, much to Kelsey’s relief. Between guilt over Doug and hot flashes from Jared, she was glad to focus on anything impersonal at this point.

“Kels,” Doug said to her quietly as his boss made some notes for changes in the ads. “What time shall I pick you up for the awards dinner tomorrow night?”

“What?” She sat bolt up-right in her chair. Oh, heavens, she’d forgotten!

“The dinner,” Doug reminded her playfully, “where they give out awards for advertising.”

“Uh….” She scrambled furiously trying to think what to say. Damn her, she had assumed Doug would take her, just as Amy said. And he’d just as easily assumed the same. Guilt clutched at her. She had to do something about this, had to find a healthy balance with Doug and give him room to have a life of his own.

Doug frowned. “You’re not going with James, are you?”

“No!” Kelsey blurted out, last night’s torture still fresh in her memory. It took about half a second of watching Doug’s expression clear, before she realized he’d offered her the perfect out. And she’d blown it.

“Well, then…,” Doug said.

“I have a date with…someone else,” she declared in a panic.

“Who?” The faint frown was back on his brow.

“You don’t know him,” she said, quickly. “Listen, you don’t always need to worry about me. Take a date of your own. Someone you enjoy.”

“I always enjoy you,” Doug said, his voice low and soft.

Kelsey winced. How could she have been so selfish all these years, so glad to have a constant, steady friend in her life that she’d missed seeing what was right under her nose?

Doug had always been there when precious few people had. For some women, that might be reason enough to marry the guy. But Kelsey looked up at his earnest, sweet face and knew she could never do that to him. He deserved a woman who loved him to distraction, a woman who'd at least give him four or five years of wedded bliss if not a chance at that lottery love.

Not knowing what to say, Kelsey turned quickly to where Jared sat, a faintly satirical look on his face as he penciled notes on the copy. “So, any more changes?”

“I think I’ve got it all,” Jared said, handing her the pad.

“The text changes, anyway. I’d still like us to go over the photo layouts.”

“Of course,” Kelsey took the pad.

“Doug,” Jared said. “Why don’t you run those changes down to J.T. while Kelsey and I work on the rest of it. If J.T. has any questions, you’re more qualified to answer them.”

“Thanks, Jared.” Doug took the pad, a flush of pleasure on his face. “See you later, Kelsey. Just call me if your date has a problem or something comes up.”

Kelsey watched him go, a sinking feeling in her stomach. It didn’t matter to Doug that she had a date with someone else for the awards banquet, she realized. How many boyfriends had he waited through? Doug was made of tougher stuff. She couldn’t help but be impressed by his commitment to his ideal, even though she was sadly aware that his devotion was sorely misplaced.