She smiled. “I need to get back to work. I’ll see you around.” She waved and watched him walk away, wondering when she’d get to the point where she could entertain the thought of letting another man near her heart.

  She sipped her coffee on the walk back to Handley’s building, thinking right now she had bigger problems than losing Eric McDaniels, like the fact that she was losing her best salesman and major account rep. That wasn’t going to reflect well on her, one week into the job. And if John got a whiff of their personal involvement, he was likely to demote her to the mailroom.

  When Kate walked down the hallway to her office, her assistant wore a sour frown. “Good morning, Patsy. Is something wrong?”

  Patsy nodded toward Kate’s office and harrumphed.

  Kate strode into her office and her pulse jumped at the sight of Eric standing next to her window with his back to her. He wore jeans and a sport coat. His shoulders looked tense and his hair hand-ruffled.

  “Eric?” She closed the door behind her.

  He turned and his handsome face wore a troubled expression so uncharacteristic, it was startling. “Hello, Kate. We need to talk.”

  Her stomach churned, but she felt compelled to put him at ease. She held up her hand. “Look, Eric, I know why you’re here.”

  “You do?” he asked, looking more distressed. He pushed his hand into his hair. “What am I saying? Of course you do. It probably came through while I was driving over here.”

  She frowned—his resignation? “I’m not sure when it came through, but I know all about it.”

  He came over and stood in front of her, his eyes a little wild. “Kate, I’m so sorry—I tried to stop it, but I couldn’t. It was supposed to be a stupid joke to make you look bad in front of the sales team, but it got out of hand.”

  Her mind spun in confusion.

  He emitted a harsh laugh. “I just want you to know the secret admirer thing was all my crazy idea—I know you must be humiliated.”

  “Your idea?”

  “Yeah.” He sighed and paced the area in front of her desk. “I was angry about having to work for you, and…and then you made that comment about being nobody’s fool, and I…” He lifted his hands. “I’m sorry, Kate. For some reason, I thought that exposing the notes between you and a secret admirer would be funny.”

  She squinted. “You hacked into my e-mail?”

  He stopped pacing. “No, I arranged for the notes to be sent.”

  She touched her temple, still trying to make sense of what he was saying. “You know Neil Powers?”

  He frowned. “Who? My buddy Winston sent the notes.”

  “Does Winston know Neil?”

  Eric studied Kate’s expression and realized she seemed more confused than angry. And right now, he was pretty confused himself. “Who is Neil?”

  A ring sounded from his jacket pocket and he withdrew his cell phone. The display read Winston Grant. “About damn time,” Eric muttered, then flipped open the phone. “Winston? What the hell is going on?”

  “Sorry, buddy. I know I really let you down, but it couldn’t be helped.”

  Eric frowned. “Let me down?”

  “The notes—I couldn’t send them. I was feeling kind of bad that night we were together, and as it turns out, I had the chicken pox. I’ve been in the hospital for a freaking week, sick as a dog.”

  When Winston’s words sank in, Eric’s stomach bottomed out. “You didn’t send the notes?”

  “No,” Winston said dryly. “And did I mention that I’ve been in the hospital?”

  Holy relief swept through Eric…until he lifted his gaze to Kate’s face, and realized she now seemed more angry than confused.

  “I’ll call you back,” he said into the phone, then snapped it closed. He turned his most charming smile on Kate and shrugged. “My mistake.”

  She crossed her arms, her cutting green eyes dismembering him. “Let me get this straight—you put a buddy up to sending me e-mail as a secret admirer? And my correspondence with your friend was going to be distributed to the sales team?”

  He winced. “But…he didn’t do it, so…no harm, no foul?”

  He expected her to throw something at him, to fire him on the spot, to slap his face. But he didn’t expect her eyes to fill with tears.

  “Kate?” A lump formed in his throat and he crossed the space between them.

  She held up her hand. “Don’t. You. Dare. Touch. Me.”

  He let his hands fall uselessly by his sides. “Kate, there’s something else I need to tell you.”

  When she finally looked at him, she’d regained control, her eyes dry again. “What?”

  “I, uh….” Damn, now that the moment had come, he was as nervous as a schoolboy. “I love you.” There.

  But instead of bringing her lovely self over and falling into his arms, Kate lifted her eyebrows. “You love me?”

  He smiled. “That’s right.”

  She burst out laughing. “That’s a good one, Eric—what, do you have my office wired?” She turned and waved to the corners. “Did you rig up a hidden camera?”

  He frowned. “No.”

  “Really? Because you couldn’t possibly think that I’d believe something so ludicrous on April Fool’s Day, could you?”

  “Well…yeah.”

  “Ha! From the biggest practical joker in the business? And after you told me that you were willing to humiliate me in front of my colleagues just to get a laugh? Why don’t you just tell me why you really came to see me, Eric?”

  He shook his head, confused. “What?”

  “That Monday you’ll be working for Mixxo Toys.”

  He felt the blood leave his face. “How did you know?”

  “I overheard you talking to someone at the electronics show.”

  “And you didn’t say anything?”

  “No—I was waiting for you to do the honorable thing and tell me.”

  He set his jaw. “I was trying to close business for Handley before I left.”

  “You were trying to qualify for your bonus.”

  That he couldn’t deny. And he couldn’t miss the way that Kate had spoken to him—with disappointment and disgust. Like the tone she’d used years ago to tell her friend she’d never get involved with the likes of him.

  He’d never felt so worthless in his life.

  Kate pursed her mouth. “Just tell me one thing, Eric—did you take the Mixxo job before or after John made me VP?”

  He decided not to lie. “After.”

  She gave a curt nod and averted her gaze. When she looked up again, her face was placid and professional. “Well, to show there are no hard feelings, we’ll have a going-away party for you in the boardroom tomorrow.” She dropped into her chair and flipped the switch on her computer. “Close the door when you leave.”

  He looked at her bent head, realizing suddenly how bleak his future seemed without Kate. And why should she believe his pathetic declaration? Had he done anything that would make the woman believe he loved her?

  Recognizing a bed of his own making, Eric left, stewing in the knowledge that, today, he was the world’s biggest fool.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  “Fool! Don’t you see now that I could have

  poisoned you a hundred times had I been able

  to live without you?”

  —Cleopatra to Marc Antony

  Anthony and Cleopatra, William Shakespeare

  KATE SURVEYED the boardroom, decorated with streamers and a few balloons. Someone had written Good luck, Eric on the board and a side table was stocked with soft drinks and snacks. A big white sheet cake with the word Congratulations written in blue sat on the end of the table. She’d ordered the cake herself to keep up the image that she was happy for him. The entire sales team was assembling today in honor of Eric, their leader.

  “Hey.”

  Kate turned to see Lesley, smiling tentatively. “Is this a bad time?”

  “No, come on in. I’m just…getting ready for the sendoff.”

  “I tried to call you last night.”

  “I went to bed early,” Kate lied. “I’m still trying to catch up on my sleep from the trip.”

  Lesley walked up to her friend and lowered her voice. “Was there a particular reason you didn’t get a lot of sleep?”

  Kate looked up. “No.”

  Lesley simply nodded, but Kate suspected her friend didn’t believe her. Kate wet her lips, then spoke quietly. “Well…there was this one night.”

  Lesley nodded. “Thought so.”

  “Did you talk to Neil?”

  “Yup.”

  “I feel terrible.”

  “Don’t,” Lesley said, shaking her head. “Do you love Eric?”

  Kate sighed, then nodded.

  “And how does he feel about you?”

  Kate tried to laugh, but it came out as a strangled sound. “Eric will never love anyone as much as he loves himself. He took this job with Mixxo because he couldn’t bear to work for me.”

  “He told you that?”

  Kate nodded. “How can I be in love with a man who’s that chauvinistic?”

  Lesley shrugged. “Because love isn’t reasonable. It’s…love.” She made a rueful noise in her throat. “I have to get back to my desk, but I’ll come around when the party starts.”

  Kate smiled and waved goodbye, but Lesley’s words stayed with her. Because love isn’t reasonable.

  Is that how her mother, an educated and attractive woman, could still look at her philandering father with abject adoration? It was a distressing and depressing thought.

  The first few salespeople arrived for the party, distracting Kate from her musings and reminding her that she had a job to do, that people were counting on her to lead. She and John had spoken yesterday afternoon about who could fill Eric’s shoes. Unfortunately, as John had pointed out, the best people in the industry were networked to Eric, and his departure would be enough to keep them away. She had looked at John and point-blank asked him if he had offered the VP job to Eric first, and he’d admitted that he had.

  “But only because Eric had seniority,” John had added. “Eric would have done a good job, but you were my first choice, Kate. You’re the visionary.”

  Nice words from a nice man who had been her mentor for so many years. She loved Handley Toys almost as much as John Handley himself.

  The room slowly filled to capacity, then to over-flowing. Love him or hate him, it seemed that everyone in the company was fascinated by Eric McDaniels. Kate wryly noted there was no shortage of females more dressed up than normal for a casual Friday. The time dragged by and everyone started looking at their watches. Lesley came up next to her. “Where’s the guest of honor?”

  Kate shook her head. “Who knows? Maybe he’s waiting to make a grand entrance.”

  “Speak of the devil,” Lesley said, nodding toward the door.

  Eric walked in, wearing his trademark dimpled grin. The room burst into applause and low cheers as people moved forward to shake Eric’s hand or slap him on the back. Her heart squeezed at the sight of him, but she took solace in the knowledge that soon he’d be away from Handley and the likelihood of their paths crossing would be almost nil.

  He made the rounds, slowly moving in her direction. John Handley slipped into the room and nodded to her. Kate decided that she’d say a few words in Eric’s honor, and then turn it over to John and Eric. When Eric stepped up to her, her heart was beating ridiculously fast.

  He wore a little smile, his eyes unreadable…maybe a little sad. The gathering was probably making him feel nostalgic.

  “Hi, Kate.”

  “Hi, Eric.”

  He gestured to the crowd. “This is nice—thank you.”

  “No problem.” So they wouldn’t be forced to make more small talk, Kate waved her arms. “Everyone, may I have your attention, please?”

  The room quieted, and everybody turned toward her and Eric. She pasted on a big fake smile and said, “As you know, we’re here today to say goodbye to one of our true legends at Handley.” She looked at Eric for the sake of presentation, which was a mistake because she almost faltered. Her gaze met his eyes…the eyes of the man she loved. She swallowed hard and forged ahead. “Eric, we’re all going to miss you and we wish you luck at the competition.” Then she smiled. “Well, not too much luck.”

  Everyone laughed, including Eric.

  “Speech, speech!” chorused around the room.

  Eric’s grin deepened, then he put his hands on his hips, and the room quieted. “Well, anyone who knows me knows I’m not much of a talker.” Everyone laughed because no one could outtalk Eric. “But,” he said, his voice turning more serious, “I do have something important to say today.” He paused. “I’ve done a lot of fool things in my career, and some of you have been on the receiving end.” More laughter sounded.

  Then he turned toward Kate. “But this week I outdid myself. I alienated the woman that I love.”

  Her fake smile evaporated, and her skin tingled. The room grew dead quiet except for a collective intake of breath. Kate blinked and knew everyone was thinking what she was thinking: Had Eric really just said that?

  “I’ve been an idiot,” Eric said. “I didn’t think that Kate was qualified for this job, when, in fact, she’s taught me a thing or two about being a good salesperson…and about being a good person.”

  Her vital signs escalated—where was this going?

  “I was condescending toward Kate because I thought she didn’t deserve to be my boss.” He gave a little laugh. “The truth is, she’s the smartest, most classy person I know, and I’m fully prepared to do her bidding for the rest of my life.” He reached into his pocket and withdrew a ring box. “If she’s willing to have me.”

  Gasps sounded around the room, then shrieks of disbelief, then silence as they waited for Kate’s response.

  Her heartbeat thudded in her ears, and her mouth opened. She was still unable to comprehend what was happening. Eric McDaniels was willing to make a fool out of himself in front of everyone…for her? She stared at him, her mind reeling.

  “I love you, Kate,” he said, then got down on one knee, and opened the ring box to the background of more gasps as everyone craned for a better look. There were no two ways about it—the square-cut diamond was huge. “I don’t do things small,” he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Marry me, Kate.”

  Her heart swelled with happiness, but complications crowded the corners of her mind. “But…our jobs…how…”

  “I’m not taking the Mixxo job,” he said.

  “I believe I need to speak up here,” John Handley said, stepping forward. “Kate, Eric is staying, but you don’t have to worry about working too closely with him because I’ve decided that Eric will have your job.”

  Disappointment hit her hard, but she was determined not to show it.

  “Because, Kate,” John continued, “I’ve decided it’s time for me to retire, and I want you to have my job. What do you think of that?”

  Murmurs traveled around the room and cheers sounded, but the noise reached her ears dimly as though through a filter. Her emotions were a wreck. “I don’t know what to say, John.”

  John laughed. “You’d better tackle one question at a time. I believe you have a marriage proposal on the table.”

  Everyone laughed and Kate looked down at Eric with love for him burning in her heart. “This isn’t one of your practical jokes, is it?”

  “No,” he said, his eyes dark and serious. “You’ll have to trust me on this.”

  She looked into his eyes and decided that if it was one of Eric’s gags and she fell for it, the worst that could happen is that she would look like a fool. And the best…

  Her heart filled with pure joy. “I do, and…I will.” She smiled through her tears, and laughed. “Marry you, I mean.”

  The room erupted in a roar of cheers and applause. Lesley picked up the marker and corrected the message on the board to read Good luck, Eric and Kate. Across the room, her friend winked at her and gave her the thumbs-up.

  Kate waited until Eric slid the ring onto her finger, then sailed into his arms. He kissed her soundly, then picked her up and spun her around. When he set her on her feet, he whispered, “You know that Vegas trip I won? I was thinking we could go this weekend…make new memories.”

  She smiled up at him. “Sounds wonderful.”

  Suddenly he frowned. “But I do have one question before we take this too far. Who is Neil?”

  Kate threw her head back and laughed until she cried. “Don’t worry, Eric—you’re my favorite fool.”

  He grinned and zeroed in for a kiss. “What more could a man ask for?”

  EPILOGUE

  PATSY SET A SMALL BOX on the desk and beamed like a proud parent. “It’s taken a while, but finally, here are your new business cards to go along with your new office.”

  Kate lifted the lid of the box and withdrew one of the crisp white cards.

  Kate Randall

  President and Chief Executive Officer

  Handley Toys

  Birmingham, AL

  Handley Toys—Fun for life.

  Her first undertaking as CEO had been to change the company slogan to one she thought reflected the ageless appeal of their products.

  “Thank you, Patsy.”

  “Oh, and Mr. McDaniels—I mean, Eric—is waiting outside.”

  Kate bit back a smile at her assistant’s formality. “Did he say if this was a business matter or personal?”

  “Considering his arms are full of baby paraphernalia,” Patsy said with a wry smile, “I’d say it’s personal.”

  Kate unconsciously touched her growing stomach and grinned. “Send him in.”

  Suddenly her door burst open and all she could see was Eric’s legs—a mountain of toys obscured him from the waist up. “Sorry,” he mumbled from behind the armload. “My arms were getting ready to give out.” He walked unsteadily over to the table in the corner of Kate’s office and dumped the goods there, a mind-boggling array of stuffed animals, mobiles, balls, rattles and who knew what else. Eric grinned, dimples deep, eyes flashing, so obviously proud of himself he could scarcely stand it. He held up a fuzzy pink giraffe. “What do you think?”