“He doesn’t even know what it means.” Furious, Lori dashed one rogue tear away. “I’m not going to let him do this to me again. Get me believing, get me all churned up, just so he can back off when things get serious. Let him have the fantasy life. I’ve got reality.”

Because she’d been waiting for an opening just like this, Bess crouched down in front of her. “Which is?”

“A job, paying your bills—”

“Boring,” Bess finished, and Lori’s brimming eyes flashed.

“Then I’m boring.”

“No, you’re not.” Sighing, Bess set her coffee aside and took one of Lori’s hands. “Maybe you’re afraid to take risks, but that doesn’t make you boring. And I know you want more out of life than a job and a good credit rating.”

“What’s wrong with those things?”

“Nothing, as long as that’s not all you have. Lori, I know you’re still in love with him.”

“That’s my problem.”

“His, too. He’s miserable without you.”

Suddenly weary, Lori rubbed her fingers between her brows. “He’s the one who broke things off. He said he didn’t want complications, a long-term commitment.”

“He was wrong. I’d bet the bank that he knows he’s wrong. Why don’t you just talk to him?”

“I don’t know if I can.” She squeezed her eyes tight. “It hurts.”

An odd light flickered in Bess’s eyes. “Is that how you know it’s real? When it hurts?”

“It’s one of the top symptoms.” She opened her eyes again. This time, there was a trace of hope mixed with the tears. “Do you really think he’s unhappy?”

“I know he is. Just talk, Lori. Hear each other out.”

“Maybe.” She gave Bess’s hand a quick squeeze, then reached for her coffee again. “I wasn’t going to dump this on you first thing.”

“What are pals for?”

“Well, pal, we’d better get to work, or a lot of people will be out of a job.”

“Great. I’ve been playing with the dialogue in that scene between Storm and Jade. We want to bump up the sexual tension.”

Lori was already nodding and booting up the computer. “You’re the dialogue champ,” she began, then glanced up. “So why were you late?”

“It’s not important. We’ve got them running into each other at the station house. The long look first, then—”

“Bess, you’re only making me more curious. Get it out of the way, or I won’t be able to work.”

“Okay.” She was all but bursting to tell, in any case. “I was with Alexi.”

“I thought that was yesterday.”

“It was.” Bess’s smile spread. “And last night. And this morning. Oh, Lori, it’s incredible. I’ve never felt this way about anyone.”

“Right.” She started to pick up her reading glasses, then looked up again. For a moment, she did nothing but study Bess’s face. “Say that again.”

“I’ve never felt this way about anyone.”

“Good grief.” On a quick huff of breath, Lori sat back. “I think you mean it.”

“It’s different.” With a half laugh, Bess pressed a hand to her cheek. “It’s scary, and it hurts, and sometimes I look at him and I can’t even breathe. I’m so afraid he might take a good look at me and realize his mistake.” She let her hand drop away. “It’s supposed to be easy.”