Conor inhaled sharply. Between his headache and the ache in his body, he was finding it hard to focus on his work. His thoughts kept traveling to Emily. He wanted to see her, to tell her he loved her. Maybe he should just confess his feelings on voicemail. But that wouldn’t work. She hadn’t replied when he called to say he just wanted to say he was sorry.

“You still sitting there fretting?”

“Sorry, Crystal, I was miles away. Did you want something?”

“Yes, but I doubt I’ll get it.”

“You know I would do anything I could for you. What is it?”

“Nothing wrong in my little world, but you need to do something about yours. It’s falling down around you.”

“Now you sound like Jude, complaining about falling stock prices and losing money. Dollars don’t mean everything.”

“If you ever compare me to that man again, it will be the last thing you say as my boss.”

Startled, he sat up straighter.

“The business will be fine. I was talking about your personal life. That girl was the best thing to ever happen to you and you’re just letting her walk away.”

“What can I do? She won’t see me or take my calls. Nothing.”

“Make her see you. Go to her apartment. Take these and give them to Dan with my compliments,” she said, pushing a container full of baked goods across his desk.

“You know Dan the doorman?”

“Sure, I do. I know everyone and he happens to have a fetish for my double chocolate brownies. Now, get your backside out of that chair and go. Nobody ever won a lady by staring at a screen. Not a real life one, anyway.”

The door to the office burst open admitting Jude Ryan, a harassed look on his face.

“Good, you’re still here. Get out, Crystal. I need to speak to Conor.”

“Jude Ryan, you are lucky I’m a God-fearing woman and therefore won’t whip your backside for talking to me like that.” Crystal marched out of the room, leaving Jude staring after her, open-mouthed

“What did I say?”

“You were rude and obnoxious, but what else is new? Apologize to her and make an appointment to see me. I’m busy,” Conor dismissed him. He wasn’t in the mood for Jude now.

“So I can see.” Jude’s sarcasm upped the tension in the room.

Conor did his best to hold his temper, but Jude was making it very difficult.

“Seems to me you haven’t been on the ball since you met that Emily chick. When are you going to get over her? Find someone else. Sandra has lots of friends you could do the horizontal dance with.”

“Get out, Jude.”

“But Conor, these investments—”

“Get out. And stay out. You’re fired.” Conor tried, but failed, to keep his voice down. He couldn’t wait to see the back of the despicable man standing in front of him.

“You can’t fire me.”

“I just did.”

“I’ll sue.”

“Try your best, but I think you’ll find you don’t have a leg to stand on. I don’t know why I tolerated you for so long, you horrid piece of—”

“That’s a fine way to talk to your long-time friend and the man who made you millions. Nice to see the gratitude.”

“I don’t have anything to feel grateful to you for. You disgust me. You have for ages, but I was too blind to see it. We are different people. All you care about is dollars.”

“And you don’t?” The sneer on Jude’s face was nearly the undoing of Conor.

Instead, he stood with his hands clasped firmly behind his back. He couldn’t afford to hit Jude. “No, I don’t. Now get out, or do you want me to call security?”

“You’ll be sorry you did this,” Jude threatened. “You’d be nothing without me.”

Conor turned his back, ignoring Jude’s mutterings and threats. He couldn’t wait for him to leave. The sight of him sickened Conor. Why had he ever gotten involved with him in the first place? Then sprigs of embarrassment bloomed in his stomach. He knew why he’d involved himself with Jude. It was because he knew Jude could help him make more money than he ever needed. So he would never be poor again.

Conor remained silent until Jude left his office, the door almost coming off its hinges when he slammed it.

“Crystal, can you get John Baker on the phone for me please.”

“Sure thing, boss. But I thought you were going out.”

“I am, but I have to do something first. Something important and I’m sure you’ll approve.”

“You’re the boss.”

He’d been struck with inspiration and was quickly forming a plan that would not only get Emily back in his life, but also show her how much he loved her. He grinned broadly as Crystal told him John was waiting on line one.

He made a couple of other calls before he put on his jacket and walked out the door.

“Crystal, wish me luck.”

“You don’t need it. Just sweep her off her feet.”

“Actually, Crystal, you need to come with me. I forgot I need a driver.”