Page 22 of The Bachelor's Dilemma

“Not where I worked, but I took winter vacations in Switzerland. I did little skating, but the skiing’s terrific.”

“I guess you got to see a lot of Europe whenever you took leave,” she said wistfully. One of the trips she and Tom had planned had been to see London, Paris and Rome. If she saved enough, maybe she and Zack could make that trip one day.

“I’ve spent more time in European cities than I ever expected to before I took the job. Now I’ve seen enough. It’s time to explore my country, once I’m up to par again.”

“Zack wasn’t too much for you, was he?”

“No. I had to fly down to D.C. to confer with some of my colleagues at the company. And to discuss the possibility of working in the States.”

“And?”

“There’s time yet to seriously consider the future. In the meantime, I’m going to enjoy my R&R and explore New York. As a native, maybe you could act as a tour guide. What should I see first?”

There was so much to see. Her heart skipped a beat when she imagined herself showing Myles all her favorite places.

“Come by the U.N. one day and I’ll give you a tour,” she offered before she really thought about it. Immediately, she wished she could snatch back the words. Holding her breath, maybe he’d refuse. What was she doing inviting him to the place she worked?

“Wouldn’t you be working?”

“I can always take a break.”

She wanted him to come, see where she spent most of her day.

No, she didn’t.

She didn’t know what she wanted.

“How about next Tuesday? Can we time the tour so we end at lunch? You can show me one of your favorite places and I’ll treat,” he asked.

“Sure. Come around eleven. Depending on what’s going on, I’ll give you the deluxe tour.”

Anna’s heart tripped faster. She was going to see Myles again. Was she ready for this? Quickly she sought Tom’s image in a photo—like a talisman. Myles was a new acquaintance; she was simply being friendly. That’s all there was to it. Even as she silently explained to Tom, she knew she was lying.

This excitement at the thought of seeing Myles was more than being friendly.

“I’d like that,” he said.

His deep voice sounded sexy, intimate. Anna shivered, suddenly reacting to the phone call very differently. She usually spent her evenings alone. Now she had a connection with another adult. One who disturbed her senses and had her wondering more about him than she should be doing. This man made her feel more like a woman than she had in a long time.

She hadn’t died with her husband. Her emotions had been so concentrated in grief over the last fourteen months, she’d almost forgotten what other emotions felt like. This giddy anticipation set her nerves tingling.

“You didn’t tell me what happened with the sublet,” she said.

“After saying I could see it Monday, they sublet it on Sunday. I’m still at the hotel,” Myles said.

“I’m sorry. I thought that was so promising.”

“Sublets go fast, you told me. I expected them to wait until I saw it, however. Still, since the company’s paying for the room, I’ll stay here for the time being.”

“If I hear of something else, I’ll let you know. It has to be easier in a home than a hotel.”

“Not much difference to me. This beats the tent I’ve been living in for the last seven months. Hot and cold running water. Good food. Nice bed.”

“You lived in a tent? You didn’t mention that before.” Anna was intrigued.

“It was only the last temporary assignment.”

He began telling her of palatial housing, subpar housing and everything in between that they made do with when on assignment.

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