she would head back toward the front of her office building. To his surprise, she turned in his direction. He thought for sure she would see him and would be furious that he’d witnessed the scene. But she was busy wiping away her tears as she started in the direction of her apartment.
Shep was wondering who had been on the phone when he recognized the man now coming out of her office building. Greg Shafer, her boss, glanced after Charlie, hesitated, then began to follow her.
Shep waited until Greg passed before he fell in behind the man.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHARLIE HADN’T GONE far through the falling snow and frantic shoppers when she realized she was headed in the wrong direction. The restaurant where the shower was being held was the opposite way. She stopped and was jostled by several shoppers. Then she remembered that after arguing with Daniel she’d decide to run home to get her shower gift. A shopper hit her in the back with one of her packages.
Clearly she couldn’t just stand here in everyone’s way while she debated what to do. She pushed open the door to what turned out to be a bar. But at least inside, she wasn’t being snowed on or attacked by the crush of last-minute Christmas shoppers.
Tara had called and wanted her to come right away because Amanda had called to say she was headed over to the restaurant. No more explanation needed.
Charlie couldn’t abandon her friend. She’d just have to give Tara her present tomorrow at work since she didn’t have time to return to her apartment for the gift and still save Tara from Amanda.
Just the thought of spending the afternoon around Amanda was almost too much to bear. But she was doing this for Tara, Charlie reminded herself, and started to step back out onto the busy sidewalk when she saw Greg coming down the sidewalk.
She ducked back into the bar and was looking around for the exit when she heard the door open behind her.
“Charlie?” Greg sounded out of breath as if he’d seen her and had wanted to catch her before she got away.
Cursing under her breath, she turned and pretended surprise at seeing him. “Greg.”
“Today’s my lucky day,” he said. “Have a drink with me.”
“Actually,” she said, stalling for time to come up with a reasonable excuse, “I can’t. I just ducked in here to use the ladies’ room,” she said, lowering her voice.
He grinned. “Best go take care of that and I’ll get us a couple of drinks.”
She opened her mouth with an excuse on the tip of her tongue.
“Don’t tell me you don’t have time before the baby shower.” He knew about the shower. “Amanda’s gone over to be with Tara until everyone arrives, so you have no excuse. I’ve been wanting to talk to you about something important anyway.”
“Seriously, I can’t. I was on the way to my apartment to pick up my baby shower gift. I forgot it this morning.”
He looked disappointed for a moment, but then brightened. “I’ll walk with you. We can talk on the way. This is important. It’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you for some time now.”
She felt panic rise up in her along with bile. Walk her to the apartment? She didn’t think so. She couldn’t depend on Shep being there and maybe she was paranoid but she didn’t want to be anywhere with Greg alone. If Amanda found out...
“You know, this is silly. I’ll give Tara the gift tomorrow at work. A glass of wine might be just what I need.”
“Great. I’ll get us a table.”
What could be so important that he had to talk to her right now? He had her cornered. There was nothing she could say at this point, she thought as he signaled the bartender and ordered their drinks.
She could sit through one glass, couldn’t she? Much better than the thought of taking him back to her apartment.
“Hurry back,” Greg said and paid for their drinks.
In the ladies’ room, she washed her hands and returned quickly, just wanting to get this over with, whatever it was. Greg had gotten them a quiet, dimly lit corner booth. He was nursing his drink as she sat down across from him in front of her glass of wine.
“I hope red is all right. I should have asked.”
“It’s perfect.”
“The bartender said it was a local favorite.”
She smiled and took a sip. “Delicious.”
Greg looked relieved and she felt guilty for trying to avoid him. She liked Greg.