“You have got it bad. Take it from me, you just be the Bess McNee we all know and love, and they’ll be crazy about you, too.”

“But what if—”

“What if you pull yourself together?” This time Lori picked up her glasses, perched them on her nose. “Put some of this angst into Storm and Jade’s heartbreak. Millions of viewers will thank you.”

After a deep breath, Bess nodded. “Okay, okay. That might work. And if we don’t get the morning session out of the way, we won’t be ready when Rosalie comes in at noon for a consulting session.”

“Your deal, sister.” Frowning, Lori gestured with a pencil. “That particular lady makes me nervous.”

“Don’t worry about Rosalie. I know what I’m doing.”

“How many times have I heard that?”

But Bess only smiled and let her mind drift. “Okay. Storm and Jade.” She closed her eyes, envisioned the scene. “So, they run into each other at the station…”

CHAPTER NINE

“And then,” Bess continued as she zipped through traffic, “Jade turns back, devastated, and says, ‘But what you want isn’t always what you need.’ Music swells, fade out.”

“It’s not that I’m not fascinated by the twists and turns of those people in Holbrook…”

“Millbrook.”

“Right.” Alex winced as she cut off a sedan. “I just wish you’d watch the road. It would be really embarrassing if you got a ticket while I was in the car with you.”

“I’m not speeding.” Frowning, she glanced down at her speedometer. “Hardly.”

She handled the five-speed like a seasoned veteran of the Indianapolis 500, Alex thought. And at the moment she was treating the other, innocent drivers on the road like competitors. “Maybe you could find a home in one lane and stay there.”

“Killjoy.” But she did as he asked. “I hardly ever get to drive. I love it.”

He had to smile. The wind whipping in through the open sunroof was blowing her hair everywhere. “I’d never have guessed.”

“The last time I had a chance was when L.D. and I went to some fancy do on Long Island.” She checked her mirror and, unable to resist, shot into the next lane. “One trip with me and he insisted on taking his car and driver every damn place.” She sent Alex a smile, then sobered instantly when she saw his expression. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“For bringing him up.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

No, he hadn’t said anything, she admitted. A man didn’t have to say a word when his eyes could go that cold. Her hands tightened on the wheel. Now she stared straight ahead.

“He was a friend, Alexi. That’s all he ever was. I didn’t…” She took a long, careful breath. “I never slept with him.”

“I didn’t ask one way or the other,” he said coolly.

“Maybe you should. One minute you want to know all there is about me, and the next you don’t. I think—”

“I think you’re driving too fast again.” He reached over and brushed his knuckles down her cheek. “And you should relax. Okay?”