“Why don’t you invite Abby too?Then the ladies can go sightseeing while we do some business.”Another thought hit him.“You could make a weekend of it.The big game is on Sunday.”
“It is tradition that we watch it together.”Reed hesitated.“I’ll definitely be there, but I don’t know about Sadie.Let me talk to her, and I’ll get back to you.”
Brad thought about reminding him to invite Abby, too, but he knew Reed would read too much into it.And that was the last thing he wanted.Because there was absolutely nothing between him and Abby.It was just that she always made things interesting.Life with Abby around was never boring.
They talked a little bit of business and then Reed said, “I’ll see if Sadie will invite Abby.But I’m not promising anything.”
“Promising?”Brad was caught off-guard.He thought he’d covered pretty well.“I don’t care if Abby comes with you guys or not.”
“Uh-huh.Sure you don’t.”Reed chuckled.
Feeling a need to justify his suggestion to invite Abby, Brad said, “I only mentioned her because you were worried about Sadie being alone.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Dude, would you stop that?”
“Stop what?”
“Acting like there’s something going on between me and Abby, because there’s not.There never was.”
“I don’t know.You two put on quite a believable act before the engagement party.I think you even started to believe it.”
Brad rubbed the back of his neck where his muscles were all stiff.Why did Reed have to go and ruin this moment?
“I’m not going to argue with you,” Brad said.“I’ll see you Friday.”As he went to disconnect the call, he could hear Reed’s laughter.
After the call ended, Brad turned his desk chair toward the window and stared out over Chicago.His thoughts drifted back to the engagement party.Maybe things had gotten a little too real between him and Abby.That would explain his desire to kiss her.
But that was then, and this was now.He had enough perspective now to admit the kiss was a mistake.And there wasn’t going to be a repeat.
Chapter Fifteen
Mondaycoffeerushwasover.
Abby smiled.It appeared news of the new espresso machine was making the rounds.People who didn’t normally frequent the Steaming Brew were now stopping in.If she knew a new machine would draw in more business, she would have figured out how to get one before now.
Her thoughts strayed to Brad.She hadn’t heard from him lately.And try as she might to find an excuse to call or message him, she hadn’t come up with a legitimate reason to reach out to him.
Still, she wondered what he was up to.Of course, she knew she could ask Reed.The two of them communicated almost every day since they were business partners as well as best friends.But asking Reed or Sadie about Brad would only stir up more questions than she was willing to answer.
“I’ve got things under control out here,” Mia said.“If you have other things to do.”
With a resigned sigh, she said, “Thanks, Mia.I guess I’ll go do some desk work.”
But before she took more than two steps, the front door opened.And a familiar voice said, “Abby, just the person I wanted to see.”
Abby turned around to see Sadie headed toward her.Something was up.She could see it in the big smile on her friend’s face.Immediately, Abby was curious to know what had put her friend in such a good mood on a Monday morning.
Abby retraced her steps.“You seem awfully happy.Mind sharing?”
“Want to get some coffee and sit with me for a minute?”Her eyes pleaded with her to accept the invitation.
Abby nodded.“Do you want your usual?”
“You know what?I’m going to be different.”Sadie turned to gaze up at the handwritten menu board.“I’m going to have the toasted marshmallow latte.”
Abby’s eyes widened.“You always order the mocha latte.”
