Promises in the Night: A Classic Romance - Book 2 Read Online Free PDF

face. “She’s my assistant at the Learning Center. Patti, if you can quit staring, this is Dr. Alex Jakobs.”
    “I know you,” Patti said, giving him her best smile. “You’re on cable, aren’t you?”
    Alex shook her hand and nodded. “Guilty,” he said, looking over at Larkin. “Every Thursday night.”
    “I never miss you,” Patti continued. “I really like the segments on sexuality.”
    Larkin laughed into her drink and Alex’s face reddened. “What can I tell you?” He shrugged as nonchalantly as he could manage. “Sex sells, and we need the ratings.”
    “Should Dr. Ruth be looking over her shoulder?” Larkin asked.
    “You bet she should,” Patti answered. She was eyeing Alex so intently that he felt like a dancer at Chippendale’s. “I’ve taped all of your shows. In fact, that last one on how to help a man to—”
    Larkin cleared her throat. “Patti, wasn’t there something you wanted to speak with me about?” Alex thanked her silently for the reprieve.
    “Oh, yes, there was.” Patti cast one last look at Alex. “Mac Mulrooney wants all the speakers to sit in on an impromptu panel discussion.”
    “Anything but that, Patti, please. I can’t take another panel.”
    Patti’s flirtatious manner fell away from her like an extra sweater. “It’s great publicity. Besides, there’s a rumor that someone from Time is covering this workshop.”
    “Can you promise me a cover story?” Larkin asked.
    “Yes,” Patti, said, winking at Alex. “A cover story and a five-page spread inside.”
    “Ah, Patti, you’re a terrible liar.”
    Patti leaned against the edge of the booth and plucked the lime out of Larkin’s glass. Alex was beginning to see that, beneath the brashness, the young woman was businesslike and held her employer in great esteem. “Will you do it?”
    Larkin looked at Alex and gave a gesture of defeat. “You win. When do they need me?”
    “Five minutes ago.” Now that her mission was accomplished, Patti was her outrageous self again and gave Alex a sizzling look. “I had a hell of a time tracking down you and Dr. Wonderful.”
    Larkin looked as though she wanted to slide right under the table, but Alex burst out laughing.
    “If you ever need a job doing PR work, Patti, let me know. I could use someone like you on my side.”
    Patti gave him a cocky grin and sidled over to his side of the booth.
    “Now, wait a minute!” Larkin’s voice rippled with laughter. “Don’t you go stealing my ace employee out from under me, Dr. Jakobs. That’s no way to start off a friendship.”
    Before he could think of something suitably witty to say, Patti jumped in. “Sorry, Doctor, but I’m with Larkin for as long as she wants me.” Her round face grew serious. “Do you know that when I was down and out, Larkin offered me this job and—”
    “No hearts and flowers, Franklin,” Larkin interrupted. “I thought we were in a rush.”
    “We are. It’s just that both Gordon and 1—”
    Alex frowned. “Gordon?”
    “My brother,” Patti said. ``Gordon’s had a tough time of it, too, and Larkin gave him a job. She’s the most—.”
    Larkin clamped her hands over her ears. “I can’t take any more of this, Patti.” She looked at Alex and rolled her eyes. “She makes me sound like Mother Teresa.”
    Alex could tell that Patti had only been warming up to her subject, but she acceded to Larkin’s wishes.
    She tapped her bright magenta nails on the tabletop. “They’re setting up in the Suffolk Room. If you don’t want one of the end seats, you should get moving.”
    Don’t go, Alex thought. We’re only getting started. Larkin hesitated a moment. “You go ahead, Patti. Tell them I’ll be right there.”
    Patti looked at Alex. A small smile tilted the corners of her mouth. “I’ll tell them.”
    Alex wondered if he were really that transparent.
    “Five minutes, Larkin.” She hurried off through the bar, her hip-swinging walk attracting attention from a group of