was finite and could end at any moment. Seize the day and not have any regrets.
That thought nagged at me as I returned to my desk. If something happened to me, would I have regrets? The answer was a big, fat yes, but I didn’t want to dwell on it.
After leaving the file on Parker’s desk, I grabbed Megan and we left for lunch. Since Parker was at a lunch meeting, that meant I could take some more time before he got back.
“So Parker’s taking over Hinton’s job for now,” I said around a mouthful of apple-cranberry-chicken salad. “And we’re going to New York next week.”
“‘We’?” Megan asked, spearing a lettuce leaf with her fork. “He’s taking you?”
I nodded. “Cool, right?”
“Yes! I’m jealous. Of the trip, not that you’ll be going with Parker,” she added. “Do you think you’ll get any downtime to shop?”
“I hope so,” I said, nudging aside the mushy globs of croutons that were supposed to have been on the side but weren’t. “Any more texting with Brian?”
She shrugged, immediately looking downcast. “Not really. I guess he’s not much of a texter. He did e-mail me, though.”
“Well, that’s a good sign,” I said, trying to encourage her. Megan was usually so cheery; it was almost painful to see her so depressed.
“He sent me a Bible verse.”
I stared at her for a minute, sure I’d heard wrong; then I burst into laughter. I couldn’t help it.
“I’m so sorry,” I managed to say between giggles. “I don’t mean to laugh.”
“No, it’s totally fine,” she said with a wave of her empty fork. “I’d laugh, too, if it wasn’t so incredibly pathetic. Is he trying to send me a message or something?”
I cleared my throat, swallowing down the laughter and dabbing at my tearing eyes. “Um, I don’t know. What was the verse?”
“Some really long Psalm or something. I dunno.” She listlessly pushed the salad around her plate. “I think I should just give up, find someone else to obsess over.”
“Don’t give up yet,” I said. “At least he was thinking about you, right?”
She brightened a bit at that. “Yeah, I guess so. I hadn’t really thought of that.”
“Well there you go.” I unwrapped a cracker and ate it while she mulled that over. Maybe I should drop by Brian’s desk sometime, drop him a hint on his thick head. But no, it was always a bad idea to get involved. Though there were always exceptions…
“Did you see the memo Security e-mailed today?” she asked, interrupting my thoughts of rationalizing a way for me to stick my nose in her business. “How we’re not supposed to let anyone in the building who doesn’t have a badge, all visitors have to be cleared first, yadda yadda yadda.”
“Yeah, I saw it. I’m hoping Parker may have heard more,” I said. “I’m going to quiz him when he gets back from lunch.” I glanced at my watch. “Speaking of, I need to run by the cleaners before I go back. I’d better go.” I shoved another huge bite in my mouth, hurriedly chewing as I grabbed my purse and tray.
“You’re a total pushover, picking up his dry cleaning for him,” Megan said, rolling her eyes.
I shrugged. “I don’t mind. Have a good day and don’t worry about Brian. Things will work out. And just remember, God loves you. He will spread his wings and give you shelter.”
Megan just stared at me, eyes wide in surprise. “Uh…”
“I’m just screwing with you,” I said with a wink.
“Oh my God, you are such a bitch,” she said, bursting out laughing. Mission accomplished.
“Catch you later,” I said.
She was still giggling and spearing another bite with her fork. I finger-waved as I dumped my tray and hurried out into the warm sunshine.
The dry cleaner wasn’t far from the office, which was a good thing, because there were several suits in this batch and it got heavy quick. I was glad when I was finally able to hang them up in the closet in Parker’s office. He could take them home tonight.
I called the travel desk for the firm and had them switch Hinton’s ticket to New York into Parker’s name as well as the hotel, then had them add me. Since I wasn’t an executive, I’d be sitting in coach rather than first class like Parker, but that was okay. I was still going to New York.
Parker hadn’t returned by the time that was done, which meant it was a perfect opportunity to finish the files in his