“You might want to move your papers. Red stains.” The server held up a glass of wine.
“Thanks. I’m sure my friend will be here soon. Would you bring a glass of Chardonnay for her?” Shoving the stack out of the way to make room, Ashley checked the time.
“I’m here. I’m not that late.”
Ashley slammed a hand down to keep the papers from flying off the table as the whirlwind, also known as Marsha, sat down.
A pointed look at her watch made her friend wince.
“I swear, you’re always late. I’m going to start telling you we’re meeting half an hour earlier, then maybe you’ll show up on time.”
“Wouldn’t do any good. I’d still be late. Better use of all that pent-up energy would be for you to accept some people aren’t glued to the clock like you are.” She leaned in close, and Ashley resisted the urge to scoot back. “I still can’t believe you nabbed those shoes. They are fabulous.”
Ashley flexed her foot. “I love them.”
“And your dress. Is that a Diane von Fürstenberg?”
“Yep. Classic wrap dress.”
Marsha wriggled out of her coat. “You look fantastic. Have you ever looked into your genealogy? I’d bet a hundred bucks you’re descended from Peter Henlein.”
“Who?”
“You, the woman who has the most unnatural fixation with clocks I’ve ever seen, doesn’t know Peter Henlein?” Marsha took a big gulp of wine, almost knocking over Ashley’s glass in the process.
She steadied the glass then safely stowed the files and report away. There’d be time to finish it tonight before she went to bed.
“Okay, tell me. Who is he? The guy who invented the bangle watch?” She held out her wrist. “They are rather fabulous.”
Hers was hot pink and hadClean Slateengraved on the inside. It reminded her of where she’d come from, and no matter what, she was never going back.
“Close, but no. He was from Germany. A locksmith who supposedly invented the first watch. Though it weighed so much it had to be worn on a belt. I’m surprised you don’t have a shrine to the guy in your apartment.”
“Hilarious. It’s important to be on time.” She tapped the watch. “I know, you don’t believe in being confined by time; you’d rather wake when the sun comes up and go to bed when it goes down. But for those of us who have to be on time, it’s like dragging one of those metal folding chairs across a concrete floor.”
“Really? That bad?”
Ashley shuddered. “Worse.”
“Can’t make any promises, but I’ll try to be on time for our next dinner.”
Knowing when to pick her battles, Ashley motioned the server over.
“Ready to order?”
The server brought more wine and a basket of bread while Marsha regaled Ashley with tales of her latest dating trials and tribulations.
“You are so lucky you have Ben.” Marsha waggled her brows. “Talk about something nice to wake up to.”
Before Ashley could answer, a sound drifted across the noisyopen space, making her cringe. No matter how hard she’d tried to forget, Ashley would recognize the soft drawl anywhere. She’d spent a significant amount of money to erase any trace of her upbringing over the past several years.
Trying to look casual, she scanned the room. Should have known. The two women looked like bright peacocks in a sea of black and muted colors. They sat together, wearing lots of jewelry over their bright red and blue sweater dresses. Both of them were made up, and had that innocent yet sexy look. Southern. Without a doubt. They were oblivious to everyone around them, leaning toward each other, hands moving as they talked animatedly, no doubt about their trip to The City.
Ashley strained to hear. The redhead was talking about how many cans of tomatoes and beans she’d put up this summer.
“Look at them. Tourists.” Ashley wrinkled her nose. “Who still cans food? I thought that went out with the Dark Ages.”
“No kidding. Give me a jar of spaghetti sauce anytime. Better yet, let the delivery guy bring me dinner already prepared.”
