Tom opened the door of the Daimler, his cheeks burning, threw his rucksack into the back and climbed in the driver’s seat.

Kate waited till he’d shut the door, then crossed to Jasmine. ‘I never thanked you for that stunt with the cigarettes,’ she said. ‘You saved my life.’

‘So I did.’ Jasmine eyed Kate coolly. ‘He’s in love with you, the poor bastard. You knew that, right?’

Kate took a step back involuntarily. ‘What did you say?’

‘Guess it’s just the way life works out.’ Jasmine shook her head wryly. ‘Take care of him, ’K?’

Kate nodded and she crossed to the car’s passenger side just as coolly as she could, doing her best not to show she was trembling.

Tom turned the ignition, and drove the car out of the lot.

Kate saw Jasmine in the rear-view, watching them go, hands on hips. Her figure dwindled then vanished as Tom swung the car out into the busy New York traffic. ‘Penny for your thoughts,’ Kate murmured.

‘I’m saving my pennies. We’ll need them if we’re going to eat tonight.’ He frowned. ‘Know any good diners on the way to Chicago?’

Kate smiled, fastened her seat belt, settling in for the long drive. ‘We’ll find one,’ she said.