THREE
Brad draped his armover the wobbly cubicle and waited for the woman to turn and look at him. He remembered her from the cab ride the other night, and at first, he thought she didn’t recognize him. Now as he detected her hesitation, instinct told him she did in fact, recall that evening. Why then was she acting so shy right now?
After a few awkward moments of silence, the woman lifted her shoulders and turned in her swivel chair, her gaze meeting his. He blinked, not believing what he saw. She looked so different from what she’d been in the cab. Although it was dark, he remembered her smile had lit up her whole face.
It’d been quite a while since he’d seen a person wear that style of glasses, and even longer when he’d seen a woman in such plain clothes. The overly-large brown dress didn’t do a thing to enhance her figure. It probably made it worse. Her body wasn’t large because he remembered when she sat on his lap with his arms around her waist, she’d been light as a feather.
She smiled and her cheeks held a pink tint. “Hello, again.”
“Youdoremember me.”
“Yes, although it took me a little while.”
He chuckled. “I told you I’d see you around.”
“I didn’t believe you.”
He pulled away from the cubicle wall and moved closer. “I guess we should introduce ourselves the proper way now.”
She nodded.
“I’m Brad Montgomery.”
“Yes, I gathered from all the talk I’ve heard this afternoon.” She looked over his shoulder at her co-workers clustered together a few feet behind him; all eyes turned her way.
He glanced over his shoulder to his fan club. He laughed. “I’m sure they’ve stretched the truth a bit.”
Her attention came back to him. “I’m Breanna Loveland.”
She put out her right hand and he took it, but instead of shaking it, he ran his fingers over the palm of her delicate hand. Her eyes widened and she pulled away.
“So, Bre, did you happen to hear what the girls and I were discussing a moment ago?”
The soft expression on her face changed, and a scowl creased her forehead. “Please don’t call me Bre. My name is Breanna.”
Her not-so-subtle tone had him catching his breath. He held up his hands in surrender. “Sorry. I didn’t know that calling you Bre would make you upset. That’s the last thing I want to do.”
She nodded, her expression softening.
“Anyway,” he continued, “the girls and I are planning a party, and I thought you might like to have one.”
Her eyes widened again, this time surprise registered on her face. “You want me to come to a party?”
“Do you like parties? With this being a Friday night and all, I thought it’d be a great time to have one, don’t you agree?” He casually sat on the corner of her desk.
“I don’t know. What kind of party?”
“A real happening kind of party. There will be dancing and games and food, and of course, drinks.”
