The Last Man on Earth Read Online Free PDF Page A

to be.
    Wait, where had that thought come from? Zack Douglas was the enemy. Her chief rival and archnemesis. Beating her out of clients and accounts. Cheating her at every turn.
    Too much champagne—that must be it. Well, she wouldn’t drink another drop, she assured herself, not a bit more tonight. And as soon as this dance was over, she’d ditch him and forget he was even in the room.
    She slipped her hand from beneath his, curling it into a fist to wedge a tiny space between them. “So . . . um . . . when is your date supposed to arrive?”
    There was an intent look in his eyes, almost smoldering.
    Green fire.
    She couldn’t remember ever seeing that particular expression on his face before.
    “She wasn’t sure,” he murmured absently. “I told her if she hadn’t made it by eleven, I’d call.”
    “It must be getting close to that now.”
    “Hmm, I suppose.”
    The music ended. The two of them moved apart, along with the other couples on the dance floor, to applaud the band, whose leader announced there would be a fifteen-minute intermission while he and his fellow musicians took a break.
    Madelyn traced a seam on her gown. “I’d better get back to my table. My brother and sister-in-law will be wondering what’s become of me.”
    He slid a hand beneath her elbow. “I’ll walk you back.”
    “That’s okay.” She moved out of his reach. “Go phone your date.”
    He hesitated, then nodded. “Thanks for the dance, Madelyn.”
    “Sure. Happy New Year.”
    “Happy New Year. See you at work on Tuesday.”
    She made her way across the ballroom and was relieved to find P.G. and Caroline there, sharing a plate heaped with an array of desserts.
    “Who was that?” Caroline asked as Madelyn took a seat. Her sister-in-law looked sweet and pretty in an aquamarine silk dress that went perfectly with her fair skin and tawny hair.
    Madelyn picked up a fork and nipped the end off a piece of chocolate cake. “Who?”
    “That man. The one you were dancing with.”
    “Oh, an acquaintance from the office. No one important.”
    •   •   •
    Half an hour later the band was in full swing once more, the dance floor packed with couples whirling away the final minutes of December. Madelyn watched them, wishing she hadn’t sworn off the bubbly. It wasn’t as if she were driving home. And since the dance with Zack Douglas, she hadn’t caught so much as a glimpse of the man. His date must have shown up. They were probably out there somewhere right now having a fabulous time. She sighed, wishing she were doing the same.
    She was debating whether to indulge in her own personal tour of the dessert table—something sweet to go with that glass of champagne she just might change her mind about—when her brother appeared at her elbow.
    “Madelyn, I’m sorry, but we’ve got to leave. Caroline just called home to check on Brian, and he’s sick, running a fever. It’s probably nothing serious, but we should go.”
    “Of course you need to be with Brian. You go on.”
    “We will, once we drop you off.”
    “I live in the opposite direction. Taking me home will add another hour to your trip, and it’s nearly midnight now. No—you two go back to your hotel, check out, and get on the road. I’m a big girl. I know my way around the city. I’ll take a cab. Don’t worry; I’ll be fine.”
    Uncertain, P.G. buried his hands in his pockets. “You sure? I don’t like leaving you alone.”
    “You’re not. Look around—there must be three hundred people here. Besides, you’re forgetting which one of us is the eldest. I am. So do what your big sister tells you and go.”
    He made a face. “Big sister my foot. Just because you’re ten minutes older than me doesn’t make you the boss.” It was an old argument, one they’d indulged in as twins for as long as each of them could remember. P.G. hesitated for a fraction of a second more, then gave in. “All right, but call us tomorrow. Promise?”
    She