her, don't you?" Steve smashed the cigarette into an ashtray.
"Yeah."
"Then romance her."
"He's right about that," the assistant editor acknowledged. "There isn't a woman alive who doesn't want to be courted by the man she loves."
Singing was out of the question, but there were other ways to prove he was as tenderhearted as the men she'd dated in the big city. "What about flowers and chocolates?"
Only the day before, Trey had walked into one of those fancy sweet shops by accident. He'd been blown away at the prices. Why, a man could feed a horse for a month on what they wanted for a box of chocolates! French ones.
Mary Lou shook her head. "Be more imaginative than that."
"Jenny loves those fat bagels vendors sell on the street corners here," he said, thinking out loud.
"You can't woo a woman with bagels," the guy in advertising insisted. He folded the newspaper and tucked it under his arm. "I've got to get to the office. You'll let us know what happens, won't you?"
"Sure thing," Trey promised. He checked his watch. It was early yet. Jenny would still be sleeping, but he'd told her he'd be by to pick her up this morning. She wanted to take him up to the top of the World Trade Center.
Trey left some change on the counter. "I appreciate the advice," he told his newfound friends.
"Good luck," Trixie said with a smile.
"If he's getting married, he'll need it," the short-order cook teased, then laughed when Trixie swatted him across the backside with a dishrag.
An hour later Trey stood outside Jenny's apartment complex. He paced the sidewalk in front of her building, rehearsing in his mind what he wanted to say. It took another ten minutes before he'd gathered up enough gumption to go inside.
He'd no sooner knocked than the door flew open and there was Jenny, standing on the other side. When she saw him, her face lit up with a smile as bright as a July sun. As long as he lived, he'd never grow weary of seeing Jenny smile.
"Mornin'," he greeted her, touching the edge of his hat in a genteel salute.
"Oh, Trey, you'll never guess what."
Before he could prepare himself, she leapt into his arms. Whatever it was that brought Jenny this close must be good, he thought.
"Irene phoned this morning!"
"Irene's your agent, right?"
"Right." Then, not giving him an opportunity to ask anything more, she blurted out, "John Peterman phoned and asked if she had an audio of me."
Trey didn't know who this John Peterman was, but he was fairly certain he wasn't going to like the other man.
As soon as she could, Hannah left the deli to find Joshua. If she explained how she'd been pressured into setting a wedding date, surely he'd understand. Surely he'd be sympathetic and willing to listen to reason.
The angry, pained look in his eyes haunted her, especially knowing that she was responsible for putting it there. Joshua didn't deserve to be treated as if she were ashamed of loving him. Yet she could find no fair way out of this dilemma.
Her first stop was at Joshua's office. When he wasn't there, she didn't know what to do. Depressed and miserable, she started walking, barely aware of her destination. She was unconscious of the street sounds, the people who moved crisply past her; all she could think to do was walk.
She appreciated Joshua's feelings. If the situation were reversed, she'd feel the same way. Joshua was an honorable man, and it went against his grain to be involved with a woman engaged to another man. Nor was he comfortable meeting her without her parents' knowledge.
Hannah didn't like that aspect of their relationship, either, but for now it couldn't be helped. She didn't want to break the engagement with Carl until this matter with the school had been cleared up.
Suddenly aware of her surroundings, Hannah realized she was close to her grandmother's apartment.
Sylvia's tired eyes brightened when she opened the door. "Hannah, my dear, this is a pleasant surprise!"
Hannah kissed her grandmother's cheek.
"I just brewed myself a pot of tea. Join me, please."
"I'd love some tea." Hannah followed her grandmother into the kitchen, then carried the tray with two dainty china cups into the living room.
Hannah loved this room, with its personal touches. An end table with a small clock that had been in the family for close to a hundred years. Antique photographs. Hand-crocheted doilies. An array of family photos lining the fireplace mantel.
Hannah's favorite picture was one of her