Page 6 of Office Mistakes

Chapter 3

Audra closed the front door of her condo and leaned against it.

In the comfort of her own home, the total reality of what she’d done slammed into her mind, and she buried her face in her hands.

Stupid, she silently berated herself.

Stupid for sleeping with Charlie. Stupid for reacting like that to his offhanded comment. Stupid for allowing the painful situation with Malcolm still color her life.

Audra shook her head. Put it away, she ordered, heading for the bathroom.

She lingered in the shower, letting the heat and steam wash her stress away. When the water began to cool, she stepped out and toweled herself dry. After applying a light layer of makeup, she plugged in the dryer and tamed her hair. Choosing comfort over style, she tugged on jeans and a sweatshirt, declaring herself ready.

And just in time, too, she thought after glancing at the clock. She’d have just enough time to drive to the mall without being late.

Audra puffeda little as she joined Beryl in front of Macy’s. “God, it’s cold,” she declared, her breath frosting the air. “And I had to park at the other end of the lot.”

“Tell me about it,” Beryl replied. “Why do we do this? Why do we insist on meeting at the mall the day before Christmas Eve when we’ve both finished shopping?”

They stepped into the blissful warmth of the store.

“Tradition,” Audra answered with a grin.

“Yeah, yeah. We should find a new one.” Beryl took a closer look at her friend. “What’s wrong?”

“What do you mean?”

Beryl rolled her eyes. “I know you, Audra. Something’s wrong; I can see it on you.”

“You do know me,” Audra muttered. “Something happened. But,” she continued, anticipating Beryl’s questions, “I don’t want to talk about it. Not yet. I’ll tell you over dinner, okay?”

Beryl studied her a moment longer before nodding and changing the subject. “Look, the cashmere sweaters are on sale. Let’s go fight the hordes to grab a couple for ourselves.”

Audra laughed, the tension leaving her body. “See? Tradition. Fighting the insane crowds to buy things we don’t need.”

“Yeah. It’s so much fun.”

After wrestlingher bags into the trunk of her red mini cooper, Audra pulled out behind Beryl’s silver Accord and followed her to their favorite Italian restaurant.

Caio was another tradition, and Audra’s mouth watered as the scents drifting from the kitchen hit her nose.

“I swear I gain five pounds from the smell alone,” Beryl commented.

“I think I can eat five pounds of the breadsticks, even if it means packing on weight.”

“Please.” Beryl laughed. “You’ve been the same size since I’ve known you. Meanwhile, I’m still trying to lose the baby weight—and Amelia is three.”

Audra giggled. “You look amazing, and you know it.”

Beryl waited until they placed their order before leaning forward. Catching Audra’s eyes, she firmly said, “Now.”

Audra sighed. “I slept with Charlie Bennett last night.”

Beryl blinked. “Wow. Was it good?”

“Beryl!”

“What? I want details.”

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