Tessa’s anger was slowly beginning to overtake her fear. “And what would your wife have to say about that?” she snapped.
He looked at her in amusement. “Ah, so the sweet little kitten does have claws after all. I’d love to make you purr, little kitten. But don’t worry about my wife – she tends to turn a blind eye to my little – er, friendships.”
Tessa shook her head in disgust. “That’s horrible. And I’m not interested in being your friend. Or ever speaking to you again for that matter.”
His good humor faded rapidly, his fingers clamping viciously around her upper arm. “Someone is getting very brave, isn’t she? But your would-be knight in shining armor wouldn’t dare sweep in to save you tonight – he won’t show his hand in front of all these people and especially to his very charming companion. So I’d advise you to be a little nicer to me, kitten.”
“Or what?” she challenged defiantly. “You wouldn’t dare try anything in front of all these people, either – including your wife.”
Jason’s handsome face contorted into an ugly, snarling mask. “You little bitch. It’s all your fault that I’m stuck down in fucking Scotts Valley. Do you know I have well over an hour’s drive each way every day? You’ll pay for that one of these days, Tessa, and pay dearly.”
She jerked her arm away. “Go to hell. And leave me alone. I’m not interested in you, and you ought to be ashamed of yourself, being a married man.”
“You’re damned lucky there’s so many people here tonight,” hissed Jason. “Otherwise I’d be teaching you that lesson you need to learn so badly.”
“It sounds like you’re the one who hasn’t learned his lesson, Jason. Perhaps Mr. Gregson ought to ship you to another continent next time.”
Tessa whirled around at the sound of the familiar – and very, very welcome – voice of Andrew. He was standing behind her chair and glaring icily down at Jason.
Jason grimaced. “I was wondering when Tessa’s guard dog would show up. Your boss send you over here to do his dirty work for him again?”
Andrew’s mouth tightened grimly as he and Jason continued to glare at each other. “That’s none of your business, Jason. And neither is Tessa. In fact, she’s promised me a dance that I’ve come to collect on. Oh, and I believe Mrs. Baldwin is looking for you so you’d best run along back to your own table. Tessa – if I may?”
Tessa surged to her feet and gratefully placed her hand on Andrew’s proffered arm. Without a backwards glance, she allowed him to guide her onto the dance floor. A slow song was playing as Andrew held her lightly at a casual distance from him.
“Thank you,” she told him in a meek voice. “I – he was saying -”
“I can imagine what he was saying, Tessa,” stated Andrew rather matter-of-factly. “You’re not the first female employee he’s harassed, after all. Jason Baldwin is a menace and no one was happier than I was when Mr. Gregson kicked him out of headquarters.”
Tessa attempted to lighten the mood by joking, “Maybe we should have had a farewell party for him – without his being in attendance, of course.”
Andrew never laughed, and really didn’t smile, either, but she was certain she saw the corner of his mouth tilt up slightly. “That’s the general idea, yes. Your husband wasn’t able to attend this evening?”
Tessa was a bit taken aback by this abrupt change of topic, and hesitated before replying. She figured that since she had told her co-workers the truth about her marriage that she owed Andrew the same consideration. “Peter and I – aren’t together any longer, Andrew. Our divorce will be final in a few weeks.”
She didn’t think she’d ever seen Andrew shocked – or speechless – but apparently her news had had that precise effect. It took him a little while before he told her in an oddly gentle voice. “I’m so sorry, Tessa. When did this happen?”
“September. I – I haven’t said anything until very recently. The only ones in the office who know are the rest of the team. I just – couldn’t’ -” her voice lapsed off weakly.
“You just don’t believe in broadcasting all the details of your personal life around the office,” finished Andrew in his usual brisk manner. “And I’ve always appreciated that, Tessa. But you should have told us sooner. I’m sure you could have used the moral support.”
She gave him a small smile. “I suppose I’ve just grown used to depending on myself. Well, and Peter, of course, but now it’s just me.”