His Best Friend. Patricia Kay

catch a movie or even just meet for coffee.”

      Her smile turned regretful. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think so.”

      John was surprised by how disappointed he felt.

      “Thing is,” she continued, “I don’t live in Austin.”

      “Oh.”

      “I’m just visiting for the day.”

      He nodded. “Just my luck, I guess.”

      “But thanks. I…I’m flattered.”

      Still smiling, she turned the key in the ignition.

      “Hey, wait,” he said. Digging into his shirt pocket, he pulled out one of his business cards. He handed it to her. “If you come back and feel like it, that’s my number.”

      She didn’t say anything, but she did tuck the card into her purse. Then, with a wave, she drove off.

      John stood and watched until the Jeep was out of sight, then, regretfully, he headed back inside the restaurant.

      Chapter One

      One month later…

      “You’re breaking up with me?” Allison Carruthers, who had been John’s girlfriend for the past year, stared at him in disbelief. “But I—I thought we were—” Her voice broke.

      John knew what she’d thought. That one day they would probably get married. How could he explain without making the situation even worse than it was?

      He wished he could explain how her anger and negativity had finally worn him down. But the one time he’d tried to talk to her about her tendency to expect the worst, she hadn’t understood what he was talking about. She’d told him he was the one with the problem and that at least one person in a partnership had to be cautious and sensible.

      Maybe if he loved her, he could have coped with that aspect of her personality. But the bottom line was, he had finally realized he wasn’t in love with her.

      “I’m sorry, Allison. I don’t blame you for being upset. You deserve better.” Why not try to leave her with her pride?

      “I should have known this would happen. It’s so typical. Men are so self-centered. I guess I didn’t stroke your ego enough, right?”

      John knew it was best to just ignore her gibe. “Look, I’ll move my stuff out tomorrow.”

      She shook her head. Her face had become stony. “No. You’ll move your stuff out today.”

      John nodded. He’d wanted to make a clean break, but he’d been afraid it would have been adding insult to injury to dump the news that he wanted to sever their relationship, then immediately move his things out of her apartment.

      He headed for the bedroom they’d shared for the past nine months. Opening the closet, he pulled down the suitcase he’d stored on the top shelf, then placed it on the unmade bed. Not wanting to take the time to fold his things properly, he pulled clothes off hangers and haphazardly tossed them into the open suitcase. Next came the contents of the two drawers that held his underwear, socks and T-shirts. Soon it was obvious to him that the suitcase wasn’t going to hold everything. Damn. He looked around. He needed some kind of big bag.

      Remembering the garbage bags in the kitchen pantry, he headed in that direction. He stopped dead when he saw Allison. She was standing at the living room window with her back to him. Her shoulders shook. She was crying.

      He swore to himself. He felt like a complete and total jerk. “Allison,” he said softly, walking toward her. When he touched her shoulder, she twisted away.

      “Don’t touch me.” Her voice was thick with tears.

      Knowing the best thing he could do now was clear out of there fast, he left Allison and went into the kitchen for the garbage bags. Doubling two of them, he headed back to the bedroom and threw in the rest of his belongings. Once he was sure he had everything, he closed the suitcase. Removing the key to the apartment from his key chain, he placed it on the dresser. With the suitcase in one hand and the garbage bags in the other, he walked back out to the living area.

      Allison still stood at the window. She turned around when she heard him. The tears were gone, but her face was blotchy. She was trying for an I-don’t-give-a-damn look, but her eyes gave her away. It made John feel even worse to see the sadness in them. Despite everything, they’d shared a lot of good times together, and he hated that she was hurting.

      “I’ll call you, let you know where I’m staying, okay?” he said.

      “Don’t bother.”

      “Al…”

      “Just go, John.”

      He sighed. The kindest thing he could do now was clear out fast. “Do you want me to write you a check now for what I think my share of this month’s expenses will be?”

      She bit her lip.

      He knew she was torn between telling him to drop dead and the necessity to be practical. Setting his things down, he dug out his checkbook. Best to make it as easy as possible for her. He filled in a generous amount and placed the check on the coffee table.

      “I left my key on the dresser,” he said, picking up his bags again.

      “Fine.”

      He hesitated. He had to say something. Finally, he settled for, “Take care, Al.” Then, with a heavy heart, he quietly let himself out the door.

      Claudia smiled as her Marketing 2255, Principles of Selling students noisily filed out of the classroom. When the last one had passed through the open doorway, she sat back in relief. Although she’d been teaching at Bayou City College for almost a month now, she still felt like a rank newbie. She wondered how long it would be before she felt like a real professor.

      A real professor.

      Professor Hathaway.

      Every time one of her students called her Professor Hathaway, she wanted to laugh. It seemed so incredible that she was actually here. She was thrilled to have landed this job. Thrilled to be teaching in Houston and at such a fine college. Thrilled to be considered valuable on her own merits and not because she was a Hathaway.

      Here at the college, no one even knew she was part of the Hathaway baking empire, and that was the way she wanted it to stay. Claudia needed to be judged for herself, not for her family’s wealth and influence.

      People who didn’t have money thought those who did led a charmed life. Yes, it was nice not to have to worry about what things cost, to lead a comfortable, sheltered life, but there was a downside to that kind of wealth, too. You never knew if people liked you for yourself or because of what they imagined you could do for them.

      Claudia knew firsthand what could happen. She had a couple of bad experiences behind her, and she didn’t want to add another if she could help it. So she intended to keep her family background a secret as long as possible.

      “Penny for your thoughts.”

      Claudia jumped. She’d been so lost in her thoughts she hadn’t heard anyone enter. “Philip. Hi.”

      Philip Larkin, the CFO at the college, smiled down at her. “Got a few minutes?”

      “Sure.” From the hopeful expression on his face, Claudia knew Philip was probably going to ask her out again. On Monday, she’d finally said yes, and on Wednesday—today was Friday—they’d gone to an early movie after her last class, then stopped for pizza afterward.

      She’d had a good time. Philip was very nice—a considerate, thoughtful date. He was nice-looking, too, with thick brown hair and blue eyes. On top of that, he actually listened to her instead of constantly talking about himself, the way so many guys seemed to do.

      Despite everything in his favor, Claudia didn’t know if she wanted to go out