“I was just headed over there if you want to join me.” Then Grim’s eyes shift to me. “You should come too,” he tells me before he looks back at Sally.
He probably feels obligated to include me since I’m standing right here. It would be rude not to invite me.
“I would love to,” Sally says.
I instantly feel like the third wheel. It’s silly of me, but I can’t help but feel like Grim only asked me because he felt like he had to.
“I’m fine,” I tell them. “You two should go. I brought something from home,” I lie through my teeth.
“Wren.” Sally’s voice takes on a warning tone.
“Really, it’s okay.” I take a step backward. “I’m good.”
“Are you sure?” Grim asks, and there’s something in his voice that makes me pause. “I promise to have you back before the end of your lunch break.”
He’s being so nice about it. So polite. And that somehow makes it worse, because I know it’s just him trying to be friendly. Just him making an effort because of that stupid complaint.
“I’m sure,” I tell him, forcing a smile. “But thank you for the invitation.”
“You know what? I’ll stay too,” Sally says. “Thanks so much for the invitation, Grim.”
“You should go,” I tell her.
“I’ll hang out with you, Wren.”
“Okay. Well, I have something I need to do in the storeroom.” Grim points behind him. “I’ll come back through here in a few minutes. If either of you changes your mind, you’re welcome to join me.”
He walks past us toward the back of the clinic, and I wait until he’s out of earshot before turning to Sally.
“Don’t even start,” I warn her.
“Why didn’t you say yes?” She sounds exasperated. “He asked you to lunch, Wren.”
“He askedyouto lunch. I was just a polite add-on.”
“Are you serious right now?” Sally actually laughs. “You really think that’s what just happened?”
“Yes.” I cross my arms. “He asked you first. Then he invited me as an afterthought.”
Sally shakes her head, still smiling. “Oh, honey. You have no idea, do you?”
“No idea about what?”
“He only asked me because he thought it would make you more comfortable.” She leans back in her chair, looking far too amused. “He didn’t want to put pressure on you by asking you directly.”
I blink at her. “That’s not… You’re reading too much into this.”
“I’m really not.” She stands up and comes around the desk. “Grim keeps to himself. He doesn’t make small talk. He definitely doesn’t invite people to lunch. But he invited us. Moreover, he invited you. He wants to spend time with you. He most certainly does not want to spend time with a forty-something-year-old married woman, I assure you.”
“Why not? You’re fun to be with. Besides, you said it right the first time; he invitedus. He wants to be friendlier to everyone. Not just me,” I correct. “This isn’t about me.”
“You’re stubborn.” Sally grabs my shoulders. “Listen to me. I think he likes you. At the very least, he wants to be friends with you.”
I want to believe her. But the idea seems…wrong.
“Even if that were true – which it’s not – I already told you, we work together. I don’t date people I work with.” I keep my voice low.
“You’re going to lunch, not eloping.” Sally’s grip on my shoulders tightens. “It’s one meal. One hour of lunch with friends. I’ll go if you do too.”
