1

M en. Allison Kerr stormed around the living room of her cramped Manhattan apartment, wishing she could kick something. She’d been running on pure nerves for hours, as hurt and anger warred within her.

She looked up at the gray-and-white tabby watching with wise old eyes from his perch on top of the television. He belonged to her next-door neighbor Iris, a flight attendant, who left him with Ally whenever she was away overnight. Ally was fond of saying that because of her transient lifestyle, Mactavish was the closest thing she had to a pet.

They’re all jerks, Mactavish. You can’t trust any of them.

At her outburst the cat jumped down from the TV and began weaving in and out between her ankles as though to console her. Oh, I didn’t mean you, you sweet old thing. She lifted him into her arms, burying her face in the soft fur, and fought the temptation to weep. Tedious Ted isn’t worth my tears. No man is. Her voice lowered with temper. I should have known he was a phony right from the start. He was too good to be true. Sending me dozens of roses at work so my boss would be impressed. Picking me up in a limo for that black-tie dinner dance and dazzling all my neighbors. None of it meant a thing. It was all just so much theater, and he was the leading man.

From the TV set came a familiar voice, heard around the world every New Year’s Eve. Will you look at this crowd in Times Square, waiting to usher in the New Year!

Ally glanced over in time to see the camera panning the happy celebrants. Slowly it zoomed in on a young couple locked in a passionate kiss, oblivious to the pushing and shoving going on around them by strangers watching the giant globe suspended high above.

Ally set the cat on the floor. Look at that, Mactavish.

The cat obediently turned toward the television.

Honey, you’d better wake up and smell the coffee, she shouted to the young woman on the screen. She planted her hands on her hips. The minute you admit you love him, the thrill of the chase will be over. Then honesty will set in. He’ll move on to greener pastures. He’ll hurt you and humiliate you, and even—she absorbed a sudden rush of pain—take your best friend to bed.

Just a little while to go until the beginning of another year, the voice on the TV intoned, and the celebration will begin.

That does it. This pity party is over. Ally stomped into her tiny kitchen and opened the refrigerator. She filled a bowl with milk before tucking a bottle of bubbly under her arm and snagging a champagne flute.

With the cat at her heels, she stalked back to the living room and set the bowl on the coffee table, next to the documents spilling out of her attache´ case. She intended to spend her holiday lost in work. It would be the perfect antidote for her pain, especially since it had been her dedication to her work that Ted had blamed for all their troubles.

Ally moved aside the framed photograph of a handsome man in uniform with his arm around a pretty young woman holding an infant in her arms, and paused as a flood of memories washed over her. Of her mother making a game out of their move from military base to military base, until her long battle with illness ended. Of her father’s loving care of the woman he adored, despite the demands of his career. But not even a father’s love could ease the pain of a young girl’s loss of her mother. Each time they piled their meager belongings into a rented trailer and moved on to another town, another school filled with strangers, Ally would convince herself that this move would be their last, that they would finally put down roots. Of course, it never happened.

Was that why she’d ignored all the warning signs with Ted? Had she been so determined to belong somewhere, to find the perfect mate, that she’d overlooked his obvious flaws?

Her father’s words of warning played through her mind.

Don’t be taken in by phonies, Ally girl. Wait for the real deal. No matter how fancy the package, look inside, and get to the heart. You deserve only the best in your life.

Now that he’d joined her mother in death, Ally was feeling miserably alone, especially after this stinging betrayal by a man she’d thought she could trust with her heart. It was, she realized, the lowest point of her twenty-nine years.

Oh, Dad. I really let myself get taken. She sniffled as she set the portrait aside. But never again. From now on I’ll pour all my energy into my career. I’ve had enough of looking for love in all the wrong places.

Hearing the way her voice was trembling, she took a deep breath. I don’t care if we’re alone on New Year’s Eve, Mactavish. We’re going to celebrate. Come on.

At once the cat leaped up to the table and began lapping milk.

Ally popped the cork and filled the flute, watching the bubbles foam up and over the edge. Here’s to us, Mactavish. You and me. She lifted her glass. From now on I’m through with men. She blinked hard, refusing to give in to tears. Still, it hurt to realize how blind she’d been. After Ted had complained bitterly about the hours she’d been spending away from him, she’d hurried back to town early to surprise him, but it was she who was surprised. It may have been a story as old as time, but the pain was as new, as unexpected, as if she’d been the first woman ever betrayed by a man.

No more putting up with fools. She filled the flute again and slumped down on the sofa. I’ve got my work. It’s all I need. The only man I’d settle for now is a dream lover.

Mactavish licked first one paw, then the other, all the while watching her as she propped her feet on the coffee table.

Someone tall, dark, and handsome. Warming to her subject, she took another sip of champagne and closed her eyes. A man with wit and charm who would care more about me than about himself. She gave a dry laugh. Now that would be a switch.

Mactavish jumped from the table to the sofa and curled up beside her.

You think I’ll be unable to resist petting you, don’t you? She took a long drink while running her other hand down the length of Mactavish’s back. You know me so well. I’ve always been a sucker for a sad face. She sat absently petting the cat. After a long silence she could feel her normally sunny nature returning. As long as I’m fantasizing, I may as well make it good. I think my dream lover should live in a castle and be disgustingly rich. But of course, he doesn’t give a hoot about that. He’s unimpressed by wealth or title. All he really wants is a woman who will love him for himself. And there I’ll be, the one he’s been waiting for all his life. She scratched behind the cat’s ears, eliciting a series of contented purrs. From the moment he meets me, he’ll know without a doubt that I’m the only woman for him.

As she reached for the bottle and poured another glass, she felt her head swim. I’ve never cared all that much for champagne, but tonight is special. Her voice thickened. Tonight Ally Kerr has decided to grow up and face reality. And the reality of my life is this. The only man worthy of my heart is a dream lover. From now on I’ll save my energy for the really important things, like my career. It’s all I need. Isn’t that right, Mactavish?

She looked down as the cat ran his tongue over the back of her hand. Of course you agree with me. Her lips quivered just a bit, but she managed a shaky smile. If only people were as wise as cats.

She set her glass aside and tucked her feet under her. On TV the crowd began chanting, counting down the seconds to midnight. Ally was too tired to care. Pillowing her head on the arm of the sofa, she closed her eyes. As she drifted into sleep, the throng erupted into chaos, just as she found herself in the throes of the most amazing dream.

She was seated in the back of an ancient Rolls, chauffeured by an imp of a man who looked suspiciously like Mactavish. Those same wise old yellow-green eyes watching her in the rearview mirror. That same salt-and-pepper fur, only now it had turned into tufts of wiry hair curling around a rosy-cheeked face that could have