She pulled the phone away from her ear and looked at it. Who was this guy? Tom would never say things like that. “Really?”
“Yes, really.” He breathed heavily into the receiver. “That’s why I need to see you tonight. I can’t wait to tell you about the surprise.”
“Can you tell me now?”
“I suppose I can. You see, my parents are going to give us ten thousand dollars for our wedding, so I’ll be flying to Colorado to see them.”
“What? But Tom, we aren’t getting married.”
He laughed. “I know I’ve never really proposed, but we’ve known for years that we would eventually marry. My mother’s heart isn’t doing so good lately, and so she wants me to come see her. She’ll give me the money then. I know you’ve never really met her, but she loves you so much. She’s thrilled we are finally tying the knot.”
She groaned and lowered her head to the desk. Her stomach churned with dread. How long had she wanted him to ask for her hand in marriage, the right way? And now that he was talking about it, all she could think about was to turn and run, screaming as loud as she could.
“I... I...”
“We’ll talk about it tonight.”
“No, Tom. Not tonight.” After she said the words, she held her breath. She’d never been so forceful while talking to him. For sure, he’d start yelling at her now.
“Babe? What’s wrong?”
She arched an eyebrow.Babe?When had he ever given her nicknames, especially since he knew she hated them? “I’m just saying that tonight is out of the question. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
An audible sigh came through the phone. “Fine,” he muttered. “I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.”
“Afternoon?” Shock shook through her again. “You will be awake then?”
“Yes. I’ve gotten a few days off from work so I can to go Colorado.”
“Oh, okay. Well, I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon then.”
“Love you,” he said before he disconnected the phone.
Her chest tightened with the mere thought of telling him they were over. She didn’t want to marry him. But how could she tell him now?
She was going to be sick, she just knew it.
Breanna returned to her computer to look over her emails. She had two more articles to skim through before leaving work. She wouldn’t have time to get a gift for Rita, so she’d just give money. Besides that, Breanna was too frightened to go home now, just in case Tom didn’t want to wait until tomorrow. He’d never listened to her before, so why should he start now?
People started leaving for home, but Breanna stayed at her desk and worked. She noticed an email from Brad, so she quickly opened it. He had sent it two hours ago. Why hadn’t she noticed sooner? But all he said in his message was that he was leaving to go home, and he hoped she had a good night with the girls from work. He signed the message,Yours always, Brad.
Her heart lightened. If she asked him to help her with Tom, would he? Being with Brad always gave her courage.
She turned off her computer and gathered her things to leave. The party for Rita would start in about forty-five minutes. If she left now, she might be able to swing by a store and pick something up.
As she left the office, she switched off all the lights. When she walked into the lobby, she noticed the lights were off upstairs, as well. Not often did she stay this late after work, but this was the first time she’d ever been the last one out of the office. But she knew the janitors would arrive shortly.
Just as she reached the door, the cell in her purse buzzed. Fear caused her to be immobile once more. It was Tom, she just knew it. She had to tell him the truth tonight. She couldn’t go on jumping at every little thing like she’d been doing for the past five years. Breanna refused to be a meek little rodent all of her life.
She pulled out her cell and noticed someone had texted her. It was Amanda.Hey, Bre. I forgot and left my gift for Rita’s party in the warehouse. Will you pick it up for me and bring it with you? It’s on Howard’s desk. Thanks!
Sighing heavily, Breanna smiled. Oh good. It wasn’t Tom after all.
She hurried out of the building and headed toward her car. The warehouse was located at the other end of the parking lot, but Breanna didn’t want to walk. It wasn’t quite dark, but this time of year, the evenings were becoming longer, and since there was only one street lamp that lit her way toward the warehouse, she decided it was best if she drove.
When she climbed out of the car and walked to the warehouse door, a strange feeling crept over her. Cautiously, she glanced around her. The parking lot was empty. So why did she get the weird sensation that someone was watching her?
With an unsteady hand, she withdrew her work keys, opened the warehouse door, and entered. Most of the warehouse was dark, but one single light shone toward the back of the building at the loading docks.
