Page 36 of Not the Plan

“Nothing. I’ll be right here.We’llbe right here. Don’t take too long.”

Isadora wove her way through the crowd, scanning the walls for the ladies’ room. Reaching the safety and privacy of a stall, she locked herself in and leaned against the door to breathe.

What on earth is the matter with you? This is exactly what you wanted. He’s here, you look awesome, and…She vacillated, chewing on her lip, her heel bouncing up and down. This was a bad idea. A very bad idea. If she went down this path, it could turn Karim into more than a colleague. It could hurt her career. And potentially her heart.

Glenna’s canary yellow dress was easy to spot when she rejoined the party. She and Karim were still chatting. The moment she caught his eye and before Glenna saw her, Isadora shot him a once-over and bit her bottom lip. He froze.

“Hello again,” she said, returning to her spot next to Glenna.

“There you are!” Glenna said.

“Is that for me?” Isadora asked, nodding to the second glass of champagne in Karim’s hand.

“Yes, it is.”

“Thank you for getting it for me. And sorry to have left you two.” She took a sip.

“No problem at all, my dear.” Glenna’s grin tipped Isadora off: She’d been the topic of conversation.

Karim started to say something, but the background music faded, and a woman’s voice invited the guests to move into the adjoining room for dinner.

“Mrs. Etcheverri, it’s been a pleasure getting to know you a little,” he said. “I imagine we’re at different tables, so I’d better go find Julian. Enjoy your meal, ladies.”

“Thank you, Karim. Hope to speak with you again soon,” Glenna said.

“Isadora.” He nodded to her.

“Karim.” She smiled and nodded back.

—

Finding their table, Glenna seized on the privacy she and Isadora had before Daniel joined them.

“It doesn’t matter who he works for,” she said.

“I’m sorry, I don’t follow.”

“It does not matter who Karim works for, you need to get to know him better.”

Glenna put her glass down next to her plate and turned so she and Isadora were face-to-face. “I don’t want to meddle. But I’m pretty sure you’ll regret it if you don’t give him a chance.”

“I’m not sure he wants arealchance,” Isadora said, fidgeting with the hem of her dress.

Glenna leaned down, placing herself in Isadora’s line of sight, taking her hands. “He does.”

“Is that speculation, or…”

“He asked me if you were seeing anyone.”

Isadora’s breath caught and then stuttered, out of rhythm with her heart. “He did?”

“Yes. He asked me if I thought it was inappropriate for you two to get to know each other.”

“He did?” She sat up straighter, breath faster, searching Glenna’s eyes.

“Yes.”

Isadora furrowed her brow. “What did you say?”

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