“Oh, you don’t have to do that.”
“Well, the place I was going to go to grab something is right past your bakery, so either I’ll be walking beside you, in front of you, or behind you.”It was all true, which was why he’d asked.Otherwise, he might seem like a creeper, leaving with her and going in the same direction.This way, where he was going and why he was walking with her was at least out in the open.
“Well, okay then.That makes sense.”She smiled at him, though it seemed a little guarded.
Or maybe he was imagining things because he felt a little guarded.He could be projecting.This was just a coincidental run-in, but some of his thoughts about her were not the kind of thoughts someone who was engaged to another woman should be having.He needed to be on his guard when she was around because he wanted to eradicate those thoughts, and he sure as hell wanted to make sure he didn’t accidentally act on any of them.
“Great.Let’s go.”He gestured in front of him, and she turned, the skirt of her coat flaring out a little as she did so, showing off her shapely legs and the tight jeans she was wearing.Which he was definitely not looking at.He looked at Jennifer instead, who appeared lost in her own little world; she wasn’t paying any attention to him or Audrey.“Jen, I should be back in about a half hour.”
She jerked upright, coming out of the reverie she’d sunken into.
“Right.Half an hour.See you then.”
Hiding his smile, Mason followed Audrey out the door and to the elevator.His smile faded a little as he realized they were basically going to be alone together, even if it was just walking down the street.
It would be fine.
Everything was fine.
ChapterNine
Audrey
Had she been hoping to run into Mason when she’d gone into Black Fox?
No.
She was pretty sure she hadn’t.
In fact, she’d almost avoided going in because she’d wanted to avoid running into him.Then she’d talked herself into it because she did want to invite everyone to the soft opening, and she had wanted to say hi to Jennifer.She’d told herself that she probably wouldn’t see him, anyway, because she wasn’t going farther than the front desk.
When Jennifer had told her that everyone was in a meeting, she’d been relieved.Okay, maybe a little disappointed, too, but mostly relieved.And her disappointment could be attributed to missing a chance to see David.
But now Mason was here, and he was somehow even more handsome than she remembered, but he was also still taken, and she needed to get past this stupid crush.
“How’s your day going so far?”she asked brightly to cover up how uncomfortable she was being alone in an elevator with him.It wasn’t his fault she had a stupid crush.
Besides, the more she pretended they were just friendly, the easier it would be to think of him as a friend.
Just pretend he’s Jensen.
She liked Jensen, but she hadn’t been attracted to him at all.She was happy for him that he’d asked Jennifer out and got a yes.Just like she was happy for Mason that his parents had found a bride for him.
Yup.
Just like that.
Fake it ‘til you make it.
“Not bad.Meetings aren’t my favorite things, though, which is why it’s nice to get out of the office afterward.This afternoon, those of us who are in the office will be training.”
“But not everyone will be there?”
The elevator doors opened, and Mason gestured for her to step out in front of him, leaving his hand up to hold the doors at bay even though it probably wasn’t really necessary.It was still a nice gesture.Gentlemanly.
As soon as they were both through the doors, he ended up beside her as they left the building, and he gave a little wave to the security guards they passed on the way out.
“No, Claudia and Drew have a job this afternoon for a jewelry show that’s happening downtown.”
