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of a typical Saturday night was going to the theater or the country club where her old man bought her a membership. It wasn’t really my brand of scotch.”
    Jessica drank some wine. “That’s interesting. I had a similar experience but in reverse. My family was typical middle-class, like yours. My dad worked for the gas company his entire life and made a decent living. There were four of us kids but he always managed to provide for us.” She hesitated. “My first husband had a different background, sort of like your ex.”
    “Spoiled?”
    She gave a smirk. “And demanding. All that privilege went to his head.”
    Tom’s eyes narrowed. “Was he abusive?”
    She cast her eyes down and nodded. “Not bad, but he just couldn’t see why I wanted my own life outside the home when I had such a perfect specimen to wait on hand and foot. It rubbed me the wrong way.”
    Tom looked at her for a moment, then placed his fingers under her chin, raising her gaze to meet his. “I don’t understand how any guy in his right mind could ever take someone like you for granted like that.”
    She smiled her warm smile. “Tom, that’s that nicest thing I’ve heard in a long time. Thank you.”
    He set his glass on the table, then pulled her face to his. Jessica closed her eyes and embraced his lips while rubbing the back of his neck. Tom ran his hand along her back, then rested it under her long mane of red hair, caressing her while getting more into their kiss. Jessica slid her tongue into his mouth and massaged his lips with hers. Her scent was a pleasing combination of fruity muskiness, one that was sensual and welcome.
    Tom took in a sharp breath when he felt her hand on his thigh. She kissed him with more hunger as her hand slowly traveled up higher. He instinctively moved his hand to fondle her breast and Jessica moved closer.
    He broke their embrace and looked into her eyes, taking short breaths.
    “Something wrong?” she whispered.
    “No, nothing’s wrong.” He hesitated. “Jessica, I don’t want you to think this is what I expected tonight.”
    She placed her fingertips on his lips, then whispered, “Shhh. You aren’t seducing me.” She planted a kiss on his lips. “I’m seducing you.”
    Tom resumed kissing her with more intensity while she ran her hand along his leg. He gently massaged her breast and she pressed into him.
    Jessica planted kisses along his cheek, then whispered. “Oh, Brad.”
    Tom instantly froze. Who the hell is Brad? He pulled back and looked into her eyes. “What did you call me?”
    Jessica’s face took on a look of panic and drained of color. “Uh…I’m sorry, Tom.” She shook her head. “I-I don’t why I blurted that out.”
    I think I do. Must be the boyfriend . He disengaged from her. “Look, Jessica, perhaps you aren’t ready for this.” He hesitated. “I should go.”
    He stood and retrieved his coat. He took a step for the door, but was stopped when Jessica grabbed his arm. He turned to look at her.
    “Tom, I’m really sorry.” She looked down. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe it hasn’t been long enough for me.” She raised her gaze to meet his and offered a slight smile. “But I really did have a nice time tonight.”
    He cupped her cheek with his palm. “Thanks. So did I. Maybe I’ll call you sometime. Goodnight, Jessica.”
     
    Tom slammed the door to his apartment, then flung his coast across the room. Helluva way to start my new life as a bachelor. I land a date with a woman I really wanted to get to know better and she confused me with her dead boyfriend. You really can pick’ em, Harris, you know that? Asshole.
    He got a glass of scotch from the kitchen and took a couple of long swallows. Too damn quiet in here. He crossed to the stereo and loaded it with some jazz and big band CDs, something to brighten his mood. Tom plopped onto the couch, then put his feet on the coffee table. He rested his head on the back of the couch, closed his eyes and exhaled a