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who looked beyond him to find a husband.
    “Sounds good then,” Heather said, lifting her smiling face up to his. “I’m loving New York. This is my second time here, but the first was strictly business.”
    This is too, Tom wanted to counter. Somehow he’d gotten roped into this situation this morning, but even pretty Heather couldn’t change his mind about mixing business with pleasure.
    “I think you should know”—Heather bit her lip, arching her brows—“I’m considering moving to New York.”
    “Why?” Tom smiled in an effort to cover the disappointment in his voice. “I mean, I thought you loved Boston. Why New York?”
    “I don’t know. Maybe it’s the energy here.” Heather looked skyward. “Even the traffic, the noises, all the craziness.” Squeezing his arm, she laughed. “And the people. Thanks to you, I had an unforgettable week.”
    “You’re welcome, but—” The entertainment came with his job description. Any savvy businesswoman should know that. “What about your career at Goldman?” Passing the frankfurter stand, Tom’s stomach grumbled at the scent of boiling hot dogs wafting on the air. He acknowledged the vendor with a wave. “Hey, Chuck.”
    “Two with sauerkraut?” Chuck’s gaze darted to Heather, but the ex-Vietnam vet had been around the park too long to let his face give away any questions. He had to be wondering what happened to “Sunshine”—his pet name for Jess.
    “No, not today,” Tom said, feeling his companion straining at his side. He gave her a sidelong glance and headed toward the café, the burden of what to do with Heather growing with every step.
    “I called my boss last night, and this is the part I was telling you about on the phone. He wants to open a New York office. He’ll let me head the place, as long as I get a couple of our big clients to give me their seal of approval.”
    Tom reeled in his scattered thoughts. “So you’re serious about a transfer?”
    “Yes.” Heather’s smile seemed to beg for some sign of encouragement from him. “If he opens the Manhattan branch, can I count on your recommendation?”
    “Sure.” Tom frowned. “But have you given this a lot of thought?” He had every inclination to suggest she pray on the matter, but he didn’t sense a spiritual bent in her. Just one more thing he loved about Jess. A perfect day was spreading a blanket on the grass, opening their Bibles, and unearthing the most astounding spiritual truths over a scrumptious lunch she’d prepared.
    “Oh, look!” Heather sucked in a soft gasp and gestured to the wooden sign. “A zoo!”
    Oh, no, Lord, please! “The zoo is packed on Saturdays.” Tom raked his overtaxed brain to divert her attention. “The restaurant is up ahead.”
    “Can we go to the zoo?” she pleaded. “After brunch?” Heather’s eyes shone up at him from her baby face. Was she flirting? He wouldn’t recognize flirting unless a woman hit him over the head, Frank alleged. In Heather’s presence, he felt solidly hit over the head.
    This was his Saturday. His day off. Right. And he’d be toast if Elliot found out he did anything to lose this account. “Sure—if you’d like.”
    “I’d like.”
    ❧
    “If I have to ask you again—” Marilyn knelt beside the twin stroller. “Do you want me to strap you in?”
    Nathan kicked his feet. “Nooo, I said.”
    “Shh, you’re going to wake Paul.” Marilyn removed the cellophane wrapper from a lollipop. Nathan grasped it in his dimpled hand. “Now stop leaning forward before you break your neck!” She rose and blew out a long breath. “Want me to take over?”
    Jess shook her head. “I like pushing the kids.” She smiled at a passerby. Being mistaken for the boys’ mommy wasn’t so bad either. Only the Lord knew if she’d ever experience the real thing. She leaned over the handlebars. “Want to see the monkeys?”
    Nathan popped up and down in his seat, stopping once to eye Marilyn dolefully.
    “I