“Well, you’ve got that in common, I guess. And if Mark could overcome his problems, you can, too.”
Allie shrugged but didn’t answer.
“So what do you think?” Susan asked after a few moments of silence. “I know it’s a huge change, but I’m sure you’ll adjust once you get there.”
“It’s okay. I’ll get online and start filling out the application. Mark’s so enthusiastic about the school, and it’d be cool for us to be there together…” Her voice trailed off.
“But it’s scary,” Susan finished for her.
“I have to go to school somewhere, so it might as well be there, as long as Dad’s willing to pay for it.” Allie picked up her bag and opened the front door. “I’m going to Brandon’s. I need to feel the piano keys under my fingers.”
****
Caroline was leaning on Lucy’s reception desk, chatting and laughing, when Misty blew through the front door of Meadows Advertising, ushering in a gust of hot air. They both stared open-mouthed as she waltzed right by the two of them without a word, her arms loaded down with manila folders, and stormed back toward Richard’s office.
“Uh-oh, now what?” Lucy whispered.
“I don’t know, but Richard’s in a meeting with a client, so I’d better try to head off Hurricane Peterson.” Caroline walked briskly down the hall after Misty, overtaking her just before she barged in on Richard’s meeting.
She planted herself in front of Richard’s closed office door, hands spread wide across the doorway. “Misty, Richard isn’t available at the moment.”
Misty scowled and tapped her foot. “It’s late in the day, and time he stopped working anyway.”
“He’s with a client and asked not to be disturbed.”
Misty huffed. “I’m his fiancée, not a disturbance, and if I don’t show him these wedding invitation mockups right now, they’ll never get back from the printer on time.”
But Caroline was just as determined that Misty not disrupt yet another business day. “It’ll have to wait, Misty; he’s with an important potential client.”
“This is important, too!” Misty was shouting now. “And you’re ruining all my plans, so back off!”
“Aren’t you being a little dramatic? Wedding invitations aren’t life or death, Misty.”
“Oh! I hate you, Caroline Benedict!” Misty reached around Caroline and opened Richard’s office door.
“Sorry, Richard,” Caroline said, “I tried…”
Richard stood up and shook hands with the man in his office. “Caroline, if you’d see Mr. Forsythe out.”
Caroline stood there speechless for a moment, then nodded. “Certainly.” She gave Misty a dirty look and turned to walk the client down the hall.
Chapter Nine
Caroline stormed into her bedroom, frowned, and then slumped listlessly onto the bed. “I’m frustrated,” she told her sister.
Allie looked up from her phone and wrinkled her nose. “What happened?”
Caroline sat up and looked over at Allie. “How was the grand tour?”
Allie tossed her phone aside. “Ugh, Caroline, why do you do that? You start to say something important about yourself, and then suddenly you’re concerned about everyone else. What happened to upset you? My news can wait.”
Caroline leaned back on the bed pillows, reliving the scene with Misty at the office earlier. Caroline sat back up, angrier than before. “Misty Peterson happened. That woman’s driving me nuts! She’s so rude. She interrupted an important meeting, and Richard was totally embarrassed. I can’t take one more minute of her!”
Allie put her hands on her hips. “So are you mad enough yet to do something about it?”
Caroline picked up her bed pillow and tossed it on the floor in anger, thought better of her behavior, reached for the pillow and replaced it carefully on the bed. “Like what?”
“You’ve got to put some distance between you and Richard Meadows, that’s what. Start job hunting. And what about your promise to start meeting single men?”
Caroline fluffed the pillow. “You’re right about the job,” she said, “but the idea of dating makes me nauseous, even though Lucy keeps telling me the same thing.”
Allie let out a loud, exasperated sigh. “There’s medicine for the nausea, Car. And Lucy’s right.”
“So what do I do?” Caroline pleaded, desperate for a practical solution to this mess.
“You need to have the guts to tell Richard how you feel about him.”
“OMG!” Caroline moaned as she buried her head in the pillow. “I can’t tell Richard. That would seem so pathetic, me pouring out my heart to a nearly-married man.”
Allie gave her sister’s shoulders a sympathetic squeeze. “Here’s an idea. Let’s go out tonight, just you and me. We can go to that restaurant on 86th Street. You know, the one that has live music outside. The music’s free and single men are everywhere.” Allie held up her hand to stop Caroline’s objections. “Come on, it’ll be fun.”
“I’m supposed to pick up a man?” Caroline shook her head, dubious.
“No, silly, just mingle. You know, see and be seen. How hard is it to chat up a few handsome guys?”
“Well, okay, I guess that wouldn’t hurt.”
Allie high-fived Caroline. “It’s a date.”
****
The restaurant was hopping, mostly with the twenty-something crowd. People were mingling both inside the restaurant and outside on the patio, listening to music and flirting with significant others or potential dates. Inside it was stifling because all the patio doors had been flung wide open, letting in the hot, humid air. Caroline and Allie decided to stay outside, hoping to get a better view of the band and also catch what little breeze there was.
They wiggled through the knot of people collected near the makeshift bar and stage, but they finally found an open spot to stand and listen to the music. Allie drank her beer, and Caroline sipped her diet soda while she took in the whole scene: the musicians—a three piece acoustic band with a reggae singer—and the young professionals who had come straight from work in their business attire.
Allie tugged on Caroline’s arm. “Ooo, look at that guy over there. Isn’t he cute? Maybe you should…”
Caroline shook her head. After another tug on her arm, she reluctantly took a quick glance at the man Allie was indicating. “Yeah, he’s okay I guess.”
Allie pulled a face. “No, he’s not Richard, but he is hot. Come on, Car, get with the program!”
Caroline obligingly looked around, noticing a number of nice-looking men, but none she was interested in. Then suddenly she blinked, wondering if she was seeing things. “Allie,” she said, “look over there across the patio. No, don’t stare, act casual.”
Allie followed Caroline’s gaze. “Lots of guys there, Car. Describe him.”
“No, not a guy. Do you see her?”
“Her?”
Caroline turned her back to avoid being seen. “It’s Misty Peterson. Look and tell me if Richard’s here, too.”
Allie looked. “Nope, no Richard.”
Caroline took another peek. Sure enough, it was Misty, surrounded by lots of attractive young men and women, all of them laughing and enjoying the summer evening.
Then Allie gasped. “Ohmigod Caroline, there’s Mark! Over there with Misty. Come on, let’s go say hi.”
Caroline started to object, but Allie was already making her way toward the group. The last thing Caroline wanted was to run into Misty in a social setting.
“Mark, hi,” Allie called out.
The color drained from Mark’s face, but he quickly recovered and leaned down to kiss her on the cheek. “Allie! What a surprise.”
Caroline didn’t think Allie’s sudden appearance was a pleasant surprise to Mark, but she kept that to herself. She did a quick study of all the people standing and chatting with Misty, including Mark. “Misty, where’s Richard?”
Misty waved that question away like it was a buzzing fly. “
Said he had some business thing.”
Caroline didn’t have a clue what Misty was talking about. “He told me he had his weekly basketball game tonight.”
Misty turned her back on Caroline and resumed her conversation with Krystal McAlister, the friend who’d helped Misty trick Richard into the marriage proposal last summer. There was an awkward silence among Misty’s friends. Allie looked lovingly at Mark who shifted from one foot to the other, alternately stuffing his hands in his pockets and then shaking them loose.
Misty said in a stage whisper to Krystal, “Why don’t we move over there where the air’s fresher?”
Caroline got the hint and took Allie’s arm. Trying to sound breezy, she told Mark, “We have to go. Work night and all. Have a nice evening.” Despite Allie’s resistance, Caroline dragged her to the parking lot.
When they were out of earshot, Allie pulled her arm loose. “Caroline! Why did you do that? I wanted to talk to Mark.”
Caroline didn’t like the whole scene she’d just witnessed, but for Allie’s sake she tried to be diplomatic. “Mark was with friends and wasn’t expecting you. Besides, you spent all afternoon with him.”
“So?”
“Allie, something just didn’t feel right.”
“To you, maybe, but I was just starting to have fun. You didn’t even give it a chance. We see people we know and pfft—you’re outta there.” Allie let out a huge puff of air as she stormed off to the car. Caroline sighed and followed her.
****
Richard was in his office working at his computer. Caroline could easily walk in and hand him her résumé, but it was easier on her conscience to communicate with him electronically. That way he couldn’t see the look of anguish on her face as she told him she was trying to find a new job elsewhere. But since he’d made no move to renegotiate her part-time salary, she couldn’t wait any longer. Neither her finances nor her heart could afford to stay at Meadows Advertising. She sat down at her computer and started composing the hardest message she’d ever written.
Richard,
I’ve attached my updated résumé for your opinion, following up on our discussion last year of my career objectives. Can I count on you for a reference?
Sincerely, Caroline
Then she couldn’t resist adding a less-than professional P.S.
Saw Misty last night at that bar on 86th. She said you had a business thing? Did you need my help? How was your basketball game?
Caroline pulled the ponytail holder out of her hair and twisted it nervously while she awaited his reply. When she heard it ping, she pulled her hair back up and opened the email.
Caroline,
How will I manage without my right-hand man, uh, woman? Yes, I’ll look over your résumé and of course I’ll be a reference. What’s this about Misty? I went home last night after the gym and watched Late Night with Darren.
—R
Caroline sighed as she read the message. Leaving Meadows Advertising was the last thing she wanted to do, but since Richard didn’t seem to object to her proposed job search, she had to face reality and get on with it.
Her mind drifted back to her encounter with Misty at the crowded restaurant last night. Misty sure hadn’t behaved like a woman about to be married. Maybe she’s having second thoughts? “I can only hope,” she muttered. And why did the woman make up that story about Richard having a business meeting? Caroline shook her head just as the phone rang, and she prayed it wasn’t Misty.
“Good morning, Richard Meadows’ office,” she said, and then exhaled when she saw the caller ID.
“Good morning, Caroline, this is Adele.”
“Good morning, Mrs. Meadows. Richard’s in his office on a conference call. Do you want to hold?”
“No, dear, I have a Red Hat Society luncheon to get ready for, and I’m in a rush. I don’t suppose he’s broken his engagement yet?”
Caroline gasped. “Uh, Mrs. Meadows, I…uh, um, well….” Even though she was flustered, she had to admit Richard’s grandmother had a wicked sense of humor.
“Well, hope springs eternal,” Adele said with a lilt in her voice. “Never mind, dear, just ask him to call me.”
Caroline giggled as she stared into the dead phone and then replaced it on the cradle. With Richard not objecting to her job search, Caroline decided she might as well log onto a job search site. She typed in the keywords copywriting and marketing and awaited the results.
Her office intercom buzzed. “Yes, Lucy?”
“Your sister’s on the phone. Allison. Says it’s urgent.”
Caroline rolled her eyes. More angst about Mark, she assumed. But she was having trouble concentrating on her job search and Richard was still on his conference call, so she picked up. “Hi, Allie, I…”
“Caroline,” Allie blurted out, “I’ve left Mark three messages this morning already, and he won’t call me back. Do you think he was mad that I left so suddenly last night?”
Great. Trouble in paradise. Here we go again, Caroline thought. “No, Allie, I don’t think that’s it at all.” She could hear loud piano music. “Where are you, anyway?”
“Brandon’s. Why won’t Mark return my calls?”
“Allie, take me off speaker phone.” Caroline waited till she had her sister’s full attention. “Okay, I don’t know why Mark’s not calling back, but quit leaving him so many messages. It smacks of desperation.”
Allie’s voice caught, emotion flooding in. “Well, Brandon thinks Mark’s being disrespectful, but…”
“I agree with Brandon. Listen, Allie, I’m working. Can we talk later?”
“Yeah…oh, wait! Mark’s ringing in now. Hold on.”
Caroline groaned, set her phone down, and turned back to her computer. A few minutes later Allie clicked back in.
“Caroline? You there? Okay, crisis averted. He wasn’t mad about last night. He’s been working for his dad all day. He says his dad can’t afford to hire extra help in his architectural firm, so Mark’s doing bookkeeping and payroll.”
Oh, good, no crisis, Caroline almost said aloud, with a touch of sarcasm, but what she did say was, “I guess that makes sense.”
“Oh, and I asked him how he knew Misty Peterson. Said he met her Memorial Day weekend at the Race, up in the Suites. Mutual friends, that sort of thing.”
“Hmm, small world,” Caroline replied. “I guess they got to know each really fast, judging by how friendly they looked last night.”
“Caroline, really!” Allie exclaimed. “Must you always see the worst in everyone?”
Chapter Ten
Caroline stepped into the elevator and pushed the twelfth floor button to take her to the offices of Charing Cross Marketing, a large company with offices in several major cities. She had summoned every ounce of courage she had to force herself to apply for the open position in copyediting she found online, and then Margaret Smithson, head of Human Resources, had called her to interview for it. The office building was located in a fast-growing business corridor not far from Meadows Advertising, so Caroline rationalized that the drive to and from work would be nearly the same.
As the elevator doors parted, Caroline hesitated and almost didn’t get off. You have to do this. She set her jaw, walked down the short hallway, opened the heavy double glass doors, and strode purposefully into the office.
“Good morning,” she said to the receptionist. “I’m Caroline Benedict, and I have an appointment with Ms. Smithson.”
The receptionist pushed a button on her headset and announced Caroline’s arrival. “Please have a seat. Ms. Smithson will be right out.”
Caroline sat down on the leather sofa in the plush waiting area, nervously flipped through one of the business magazines on the mahogany coffee table, and looked around at what she could see of the offices from that vantage point. The company handled mostly corporate clients, unlike Meadows Advertising, which dealt with small businesses. Caroline saw the irony in the fact that this would have been the perfect agency to handle Truitt
’s ad campaign, the one her father had so cavalierly handed over to Sharlene while under her seductive spell.
The office was remarkably quiet, with assistants in business suits bustling around and speaking in hushed tones. Do I really want to join Corporate America? The answer was that this was the only response she had gotten to her many job applications, and if she was hired, it would pay well and come with full benefits. And distance her from Richard and his wedding plans.
A slender African-American woman in an impeccable two-piece business suit and black pumps emerged from a wood-embossed corridor. Caroline briefly wondered how the woman could walk wearing that tight pencil skirt, but forced herself to refocus.
“Ms. Benedict?”
“Yes.” Caroline stood to shake her hand.
“Please, follow me. I think you’ll find Charing Cross to be quite different from Meadows Advertising, but with your qualifications, I’m sure you’ll fit right in here.” Ms. Smithson led Caroline down the hall to her private office. Caroline tried to swallow the lump in her throat before stepping inside.
****
Caroline returned to her office at Meadows after the nerve-wracking interview and checked her email. To her surprise, Allie had loaded up her inbox. “I don’t have time for all this drama,” she groused, but opened the first one anyway.
Car,
Brittany and I have been emailing back and forth, so I’m forwarding them to you for your opinion. She wants me to come up to Chicago to visit. I feel guilty for putting her off, but my relationship with Mark is going so well and I don’t want to be anywhere but with him. Besides, you know I hate Chicago. Too many memories of school and it’s too soon, even if I wanted to be parted from Mark, which I don’t. Besides, when was the last time Brittany was in love? She just doesn’t get it.
Caroline moaned. In love? She reluctantly opened the forwarded exchange between Allie and Brittany.
Allie,
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