“Good, then I’ll never have to see you again.” He waved her off as the guards each took an arm and marched her to the elevator. Riley and Ben started to head back to his office when they heard the elevator ding open and someone called out Ben’s name.
Riley froze as he whipped around. “Anna?”
Linda smiled even as Ben laughed, and Riley tried hard not to panic. He grabbed his friend’s arm and put a finger to his lips as Anna hurried their way. She looked a bit red in the face, as if something had upset her.
“I was hoping I’d catch you. They said you were up here somewhere, talking to your boss.”
“We were, yes, just got finished with a quick meeting. Is there something wrong?”
“Can we talk…somewhere else?” she whispered, leaning forward.
Riley nodded and steered Anna through the rows of desks until they reached a smaller office, Ben’s real office. He motioned for her to have a seat in front of the desk, then promptly shut the door so no one would eavesdrop. He turned around to find her crying.
“Anna,” he said, at her side in an instant to hold her hand as tears streamed down her face. “What’s wrong? Is it your mother?”
She nodded and wiped her eyes on her jacket sleeve. “This morning…a heart attack, but she’s awake.” She leaned on his shoulder as he wrapped her arms around her, trying to soothe her the best he could. “I just…it changes everything. I can’t…I don’t know…”
“You can tell me anything, Anna. I’m right here for you.”
“Can we meet tonight? But not my place, it’s not exactly safe.”
He frowned, watching the fear suddenly creep into her eyes as they darted towards the door. “What do you mean? What aren’t you telling me?”
She looked straight at him, and he saw a fight going on in her eyes. Whatever was bothering her was bad, really bad. Was she trying to break up with him? There was no reason to, not after the weekend they had spent together. Whatever happened that day, he needed to know so he could stop her from ruining this thing growing between them. He wrapped her up in a tight hug and told her everything would be fine.
“I’ll pick you up tonight at seven. We can crash at my place, all right?”
“Are you sure?”
He cupped her face gently in his hands. “Yes, Anna. Of course I am. Seven o’clock.”
She nodded, and he kissed her lips. “I guess you think I’m a bit crazy, huh?”
“Never. Go home and rest, and I’ll see you tonight.”
Riley escorted her back to the elevator, ignoring the eyes of everyone on the floor watching them intently. Once she was in and the doors closed, Ben and Linda started clapping and hollering his name across the floor.
“Really, boss, I’m glad my office could be of use to you.”
“Can it, Ben. Get on that project we talked about. Have Linda help if need be. Oh, and make sure the car is ready at six thirty. I have a date.” He ignored the rest of the mutterings behind him and closed himself in his office.
***
Phoebe wiped her face once more before she exited the elevator, hoping she didn’t look too upset. If only she could go home for the rest of the day, but she had to get back to the office. Except that woman…she’d been so upset she’d almost missed her, but it was definitely the new lady who was supposed to be working with her.
“You—Ms. Baron,” a voice called across the lobby.
Phoebe glanced up and groaned. She’d been right. It was Ms. Chandler hanging out here. Why? “I thought you worked for William Yancey,” she snapped before she could stop herself. “What the hell are you doing here?”
Her heels clicked loudly across the hard floor as she strode up to Phoebe and glared. “That is none of your business. I would like to know what you are doing here.”
“I was seeing the guy I’m dating.”
“Which guy?”
“Ben, not that it’s any of your business.”
She frowned and shook her head. “No, Ben is seeing that Linda woman. I saw them together at a function.”
“Last time I checked, Linda was dating Frank,” Phoebe said, confused, thinking back to the other night. “Who are you talking about?”
“Riley Marston the third.” She glanced around and pulled out her cell phone, as Phoebe thought about booking it out the door. She might be able to beat her back to Yancey Securities if she caught a cab and had them hurry across town. “This man. Is this the person you’re seeing?”