A grin broke across her face, then she leaned in for another hug.
I held my friend and savored the moment. “I know you guys will live happily ever after. With a very nice tan from your honeymoon, to boot.”
Her shoulders bobbed as she chuckled.
“Well, I have to get in on this.” Rach threw down her handbag, hurried over, then draped her arms around us and started sniffling. “Kristen’s going to be jealous she missed out.”
She probably would. Because it felt like one of those moments that come out of nowhere, but we remember forever. Not at the bridal shower. Not at the wedding. But in a bridal boutique’s dressing room where a fastidious seamstress watched on with misty eyes.
****
After I changed back into my gray pants suit with a white camisole underneath—why hadn’t I worn something nicer to work today like, I don’t know, a cocktail dress?—, I hurried to my car where I found three voicemails from Chris: Gina, it’s Chris. I’m a little early but you’re not answering the door so thought I’d call in case you were indisposed and I had to talk you out.
Then, a beep beep: Hey, Gina. Me again. Your roommate arrived and invited me in. Really hoping you show up soon. She’s going off about your friend, Ethan, and I’m not sure how much more I can take. Call me.
Next, a beep beep: Now, I’m worried. It’s after seven and your roommate couldn’t reach you either. I’m waiting in my car because she asks a lot of personal questions, like she’s trying to psycho-analyze me or something. Hope everything’s all right. Call when you get this.
I noted two missed calls from Kristen. Part of me wanted to chew her out for interrogating my friend-date, but the rest of me wanted to find out what she’d learned.
After texting Chris that I’d have to meet him at the restaurant, I checked my practically make-up free face in the visor’s mirror. All I had in my purse was lipstick, so I dabbed on the Mocha Madness, then drove to the location Chris texted back to me.
Since it was a weeknight, I managed to find street parking less than two blocks away from the address, and my heels clicked against the pavement as I ran down the block. As I arrived, Chris stepped out of his sedan looking very hot in a suit and tie as he handed his keys to the valet driver. He glanced up just before I practically barreled into him.
“I’m so sorry I’m late.” I managed between gulps for air. Really had to hit the gym soon. I grabbed his arm, ready to explain. “Ellen called for a last minute dress fitting. When we started running late, I realized my cell was in my car, but I had on the dress and there were all these pins—”
“Don’t worry.” His expression was surprisingly calm as he eyed my hand clutching his arm. “You’ve got quite a grip. Not that I’m complaining.”
I couldn’t believe he wasn’t freaking out. George had worked himself into a fit when I’d made us late. “But it’s your first dinner with your new boss. You dared me to help you look good, not make a bad impression. Are you upset with me? I take full blame. Please tell your boss that—”
“Gina.” He cupped my chin between his thumb and index finger, his light blue eyes holding me captive, and my heart fluttered. “It’s fine. Really.”
Standing this close, mesmerized by his soothing gaze, I breathed in his spicy aftershave. “This is an important dinner. You can’t be so forgiving.”
“How about I let you make it up to me then.” He whispered it like a promise I wanted badly to fulfill, then took hold of my hand and tugged me toward the entrance. “Let’s not keep them waiting any longer though.”
The gold-framed automatic doors opened as we crossed the wild-patterned burgundy carpet and a flutter rolled through my belly as he kept hold of my hand. Did he notice that he still had it? Or was he so used to holding a girl’s hand that he did it absentmindedly? Because every cell in my body was very aware of his warm skin against mine.
Chris gave his name to the host, who led us to a private room I was surprised to see filled with half a dozen tables. Most people were standing, a glass of beer or wine in their hand.
I leaned toward Chris. “I thought it would just be your boss and his wife?”
“That’s what I was told.” He shrugged, but didn’t seem uncomfortable with the unexpected change. With a little squeeze, he released my hand as we wove between tables toward a tall, handsome man wearing rimless glasses. Chris held out his arm. “Walt. Sorry we’re late.”
The older gentleman shook Chris’s hand and clapped him on the shoulder. “Glad to have you, Chris. There are a few people I’m eager to introduce you to.”
As Walt led Chris around the room, I marveled at Chris’s ability to charm everyone. He seemed to do it effortlessly, too, as if it came naturally to him. When he introduced me to Walt’s wife as “Gina,” (instead of “my friend, Gina”) I wondered if she thought I might be his girlfriend. Not that I wanted her to think that. Although why not? It’s not like she knew he preferred to bring a friend as his guest rather than someone on his speed-dial.
I didn’t know why his not finding me date-worthy still bugged me. Must have bruised my ego, I guess. No other reason I should care. Nor was there a good excuse for my squinting in the direction of the brunette vixen, I recognized from Cafe Mattia. She strode over to Chris and chatted him up with her own set of charm. Didn’t Ms. Human Resources Manager have her own date?
It turned out she did not have her own date. I knew this because they seated her at our table. Next to Chris. Why he wasn’t sitting next to his new boss was beyond me. No, they’d seated me next to Walt’s wife, Cynthia, and Walt was on her other side next to another newbie named John Baird who laughed a bit too loud as if he was nervous.
“How did you and Chris meet?” Cynthia said, making it hard for me to hear what Chris and Ms. H.R. were saying.
“We work together at the software company Chris is leaving,” I said, trying my best to ignore the feminine chuckle coming from Ms. H.R. I mean, really, were they going to talk close like that all night? Where was our waiter?
On the other side of the room, in fact. Not about to break up whatever scintillating—I’m sorry, but it can’t be 401K related—conversation that was making Ms. H.R. drop that sexy laugh every few seconds.
“Oh, I’m familiar with your company.” Cynthia proceeded to tell me how her husband’s software business would have much better opportunities for Chris, which was probably true or Chris wouldn’t have taken the job.
After Cynthia turned her attention to the menu, I leaned over to Chris. “Would you mind ordering me a Cobb salad? I need to run to the ladies room.”
He gave me a look I didn’t know how to interpret. “Sure.”
“Thanks.” I might’ve stayed until after the waiter had hit our table and then asked to be excused, but I couldn’t take any more of Ms. H.R.’s throaty laughter.
When I got to the powder room, I splashed cold water on my face. If Chris wanted to talk to that girl Tina all night then why had he bothered asking me to come? And why hadn’t he saved me from listening to Cynthia wax on about her hubby’s company when I wanted to be talking to him? I mean, I’d rather be talking to Ethan about Julius Caesar. Well, almost.
Then I told myself to be fair. Chris had dared me to be his date before he’d known Tina would be here. He apparently found her more attention-worthy than me, which was a huge kick in the gut. Okay, so I hadn’t exactly acted overjoyed when he’d asked me out. Maybe I had been a bit snarky when I’d seen him on a lunch date with her. And, well, I had made him late for his important dinner.
But I’d done him a favor. More importantly, I’d been looking forward to spending time with him, which just showed what a fool I was. If Chris could hurt me over something like this, imagine how vulnerable I’d be if I really let him in.
I picked up a fancy hand towel from the basket and dabbed it on my face. Then I slid Mocha Madness over my lips, once again wishing I looked my best tonight. Ms. H.R. sure did.
Staring at my reflection, I gripped the edges of the sink, and forced myself to accept reality. This wasn’t a competition I could win. Chris had only invited me to avoid being a third wheel, which he wasn’t anymore. If he preferred to be with this Tina girl then, as a friend, I should excuse myself and go home. Besides, TV and dessert would be better than suffering through more of their flirting.
Chris had obviously made his choice, so I just needed to bow out gracefully. I tried to convince myself that leaving didn’t bother me.
My stomach tightened. No, not at all.
****
With my head down, I hurried out of the ladies room ready to make excuses and bail on this shindig. Instead, I crashed into a solid chest wearing a silky blue tie. “Sorry, I wasn’t watching—”
“You can bump into me anytime.” Chris rubbed my elbows as I peeled myself away from him.
“I’m surprised Ms. H.R. let you sneak away for a minute.” Well, that wasn’t the tactful way I’d imagined bowing out of our friend-date. I raised my hands in the air, ready to take it back when he opened his mouth first.