Jon tried to keep his mind on the networking opportunities of the welcome night, exchanging stories and business cards with the other participants. The background music of soft jazz, not loud or overpowering, was just enough to help ensure a relaxed atmosphere. The finger food was delicious, and the drinks flowed freely.

Had Kim eaten dinner? She looked exhausted and oh so huggable with her hair down, dressed for relaxing. What would she do if he showed up with one of the little plastic plates piled high with sandwiches and fruit and carrying a glass of wine? What would she do if he asked to come in and sit with her a while? Probably shut the door in his face and tell him to buzz off.

He brought his mind back to the room full of people. Suzanne seated on one of the high stools was smiling, looking beautiful. Travis stood next to her with a protective hand where her waist used to be. The road trip had been more adventure than intended, but Jon was glad he could help make it happen for them. Suzanne kept saying she was storing up memories for after the birth of baby Elliott. When Jon first heard it, the idea seemed odd, but it made a lot of sense to intentionally step away from ordinary day-to-day life instead of treading the same path so long it became a rut.

That was one reason he was here, of course. To seek opportunities for the factory he managed. His people had the skill—generations of it in some cases. They just needed enough orders to fill so the employees had sufficient work hours to make a decent living. The industry landscape seemed to change daily, one company buying another and either changing everything, downsizing, or outsourcing. Stuff like that happened all the time. In fact, many of the men and women at the conference had personal horror stories of one sort or another.

Jon had been lucky so far—at least with his career. The biggest curveball life had thrown him was his disastrous relationship with Andrea. He’d taken a long time to wake up to the fact that she wasn’t what she seemed. He wouldn’t fall into that trap again.

He imagined Kim again. What was up with her? She seemed honest enough, but at the oddest times she would completely shift gears, changing from outgoing and fun to almost shutting down. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to know what her past held, but if he could get more information, maybe he would understand what caused her mood swings. And what drew him to her.

If Andrea was his type, then Kim didn’t really fit the mold. She wasn’t runway model beautiful like Andrea. She didn’t dress to impress or use much makeup that he could tell. Her hair was dark and thick, always trying to escape its clasp, instead of welded into a particular shape with hairspray. It was a welcome surprise to find a woman who was satisfied to be herself and let others like her, or not. Many of the people he interacted with in his profession worked hard to be what the customer, or the higher-ups, wanted them to be.

Jon had done plenty of that in his time, and if he was honest, he still did it. Attending this gathering, for instance, when he would have preferred a quiet night in like Kim or a few laps in the pool. But that wasn’t his reason for being here. He might have a chance to relax when he got home. But this could be his only chance to get to know Kim. After this trip he probably would never see her again. And if he didn’t act now, he would never understand this compulsion to be with her.

But what if she rebuffed him? He’d just have to deal with it if she did. At least, then, he’d know where he stood with her.

Jon looked at the mingling crowd and then gave himself a little shake. What the heck. Columbus took a chance. So could he.

Jon headed back to the buffet table. A couple of guys he’d met earlier in the day stopped to talk with him. Ball scores, politics, the weather. Conversation he could get anywhere. He excused himself, saying he needed to check on a friend.

He heaped a plate with fresh fruit, raw vegetables and dip, and some cheese and crackers and asked the barkeeper for a glass of chardonnay. Leaving the noisy room, he looked over his shoulder. Suzanne had her back to him talking to someone, but Travis saw Jon and winked before returning to the conversation.

When he reached Kim’s door with both hands full, he tapped with the toe of his shoe. No sound came from her room. Had she fallen asleep?

But she opened the door and saw him, her expression stricken. “Is something wrong with Suzanne?” Then her eyes dropped to what he was carrying. “What’s going on?”

“Special delivery, miss. The hotel management is concerned that every guest receive the best treatment possible, you know. I offered to bring this up. Slipped the assistant manager a tip so he’d let me.”

Her face relaxed as she took in his obvious lie. “Want to try again?”

“Actually, yes, I do, Kim. If possible, could you and I start over? Somehow we began on the wrong foot from the first moment we met. That’s made the road trip more unpleasant than it had to be for both of us, and probably for Travis and Suzanne too. So I’m bringing you a peace offering, courtesy of the fine folks who paid their conference registration fee. If it takes any of the sting out of it, I would have eaten this much again, so it’s not really cheating to bring it to you.”

She considered for a moment then nodded, opening the door further. He let out his breath, not realizing he had been holding it waiting for her answer. He held out the plate and wineglass, and when she took them from him, their fingers grazed. Electric shock, just like when she had taken David’s car keys from him. He’d never had an electric shock from Andrea except in the depth of winter when static sparked every time they touched. He’d been amused by that, but this—this was something different.

She set the plate and wineglass on a low table, sat down, and motioned him to do the same.

“I appreciate this, Jon. I didn’t eat dinner, and after making such an issue about wanting a night in, I didn’t feel right going somewhere to get food.”

“The hotel does have room service, you know. But I’m glad you didn’t call them.”

She sipped the wine, nodded. “Old habits are hard to break. I’m too frugal to call room service. Some would call it cheap. But when my stomach was starting to growl, I began to consider it.”

“You need to keep up your strength, so you can sightsee all day tomorrow.”

“You’re right. Hence, I’m ravenous, and you’ve saved my life.”

“Hardly that.”

She took a bite, chewed, and swallowed. “For the moment anyway. What can I offer you? I have a bucket of ice and some tap water.” She started to rise, but Jon held up his hand to stop her.

“I’m good, but thanks.” He enjoyed watching her eat.

Her face turned pink under his gaze. “Talk about something, please. A nice ten minute lecture would work, so I’m not expected to participate in the conversation. I’d like to enjoy this lovely food without showing it to you while I talk.”

He was at a loss. “What do you want me to talk about?”

She set down the strawberry she’d been about to bite into. “Preferably something without potential for conflict. Oh, I know. You could tell me how you, Travis, and David got to be friends.”

He laughed. “You’ve opened a can of worms there. Oops—sorry, that’s not dinner conversation.” He settled back into the chair. “Okay, I’ll give you a ten minute synopsis. Once upon a time on a college campus far, far away, there were five young men—Travis, David, Dustin, Ryan, and Jon. They came from different states and had different ideas of what life would hold for them, but the college housing department had preordained that they be on the same floor in a dorm that shall not be named...”

An hour later, Kim had finished her plate of food and wine, curled her feet under her in the chair, and still listened to Jon tell stories about his friends. The first chapters had been riddled with college mishaps and pranks. When he exhausted his repertoire of hijinks, he told her about the various states and foreign countries they had lived in or visited where jobs took them after graduation, and the annual effort to get together for a few days’ reunion. He hoped she didn’t notice that his voice cracked when he spoke of attending the funeral of David’s father and later Dustin’s mother and Ryan’s sister, both from cancer.

“And Travis and Suzanne have had their trials too. Those miscarriages. So sad. Looks like little Elliott is going to be okay though. Right?” He knew she couldn’t predict the future, but he’d like reassurance for his friends.

Emily smiled. “From what Suzanne has told me and what the ER doc said, she and Elliott are great so far. I’m glad she got some extra rest this afternoon, and I’m going to suggest that we both try to nap every afternoon. It won’t hurt me to get some extra sleep, but it’s much more important for her and the baby.”

“I’m so glad you’re here, Kim. For Suzanne, and Travis.” He cleared his throat, decided to go for it. “I’m glad you’re here so I can get a chance to know you. I feel like there’s nowhere we can go but up from the way you and I started off. I guess I did something very wrong at David and Emily’s wedding and offended you. I wish you would tell me what it was so I can try to make it up to you.”

Her brows drew together in a frown. “You mean when you brought your fiancée and paid no attention to her? I get that you’re not together anymore, but that was terrible behavior.”

“Ah, now I understand. My engagement to Andrea ended a few hours before the wedding. It was a big, ugly blow-up to finally end an always-troubled relationship. Andrea was there because she likes a party and likes to be the center of attention. Plus, she enjoyed making me squirm. She admitted to me—actually it came out more like a gloat—that she’d been unfaithful.”

No wonder Kim had treated him so badly. She’d thought he was coming on to her, when he should have been paying attention to Andrea.

He sighed. “Please, let’s don’t talk about her. I’m trying to block that relationship from my memory banks and replace it with positive memories. Maybe like Suzanne, this trip is a chance to make some good memories to look back on later.”

“It was none of my business, but I appreciate you explaining why the two of you weren’t exactly cozy that evening.”

His laugh was hollow. “We got back to Nashville, and I haven’t seen her since. Partly because I found another job and moved...” He straightened, tired of talking about himself when he wanted to learn more about Kim. “So I’ve spilled my ugly history. It’s your turn to share some skeletons from your own closet.”

She blinked a couple of times, as if deciding whether or not to accept his challenge. When she told of losing her mother, his heart broke for her. When she explained about her own diagnosis and tears shone in her eyes, he swallowed hard.

Eventually, her eyelids began to droop. He picked up the items he had brought. “I’ve overstayed my welcome. I’ll clear the dishes and let myself out.” Before he could get to the door, she was up and had the hall door open.

“Thanks so much for dinner and conversation, Jon. I enjoyed it. You’ll think this is silly, but I’m just realizing you’re nothing like a man I used to know. You look enough like him to be his twin, but in here—” She patted her chest. “—inside where it counts, you’re nothing like him.”

“Well, that sounds like progress.” Without thinking, he leaned down and kissed her cheek, and before he could see her reaction, he stepped into the hall. She closed the door.

He considered retreating to his room but went back to the networking event instead. He owed it to himself and the people who depended on him to do his best while he was here, but had difficulty keeping his mind on business.

He had a new appreciation of Kim and knew the sleepiness wasn’t fake, something Andrea might have done to get him to leave.

Jon hoped the kiss hadn’t destroyed the positive feelings he was getting from Kim tonight.

****

Kim didn’t know how long she stood leaning against the door after Jon left. With an effort, she finally roused herself, turned off the light, and walking across the room, opened the drapes to look at the Minneapolis skyline. The city was beautiful—unfamiliar, surprising. She had done her research before the trip, had a list of must-see and would-like-to-see places.

But she’d already noticed when she and Suzanne were out exploring, instead of sticking with their intended itinerary, they’d notice something along the way and explore that. She hadn’t been disappointed in any of the side trips yet.

Like the city, Kim had thought she knew what to expect of Jon. Her expectations were detailed in an invisible pamphlet about worthless men. Yet he had surprised her. Suggesting they pull off at the height of the storm and offering to drive when her nerves were on edge. Bringing dinner and wine to her, regaling her with stories when she was feeling lonely, and listening with rapt attention when she bared her soul without realizing she was about to do so.

Jon was a side trip of a sort, and she wondered if she dared explore a little further.