Page 101 of Romance and Peppermint Lattes
“I’m not a coward,” she told him, schooling her face to remain as emotionless as possible. “All I’m doing is exercising a little common sense. Why depress myself over the holidays? This is the last time I’ll see Paul before Christmas. I leave for Minnesota in the morning.”
“Yes, I know.” Joe frowned as he said it, hesitating before he opened her door. “You’re sure about this?”
“Positive.” She was mildly surprised Joe wasn’t making more of a fuss. From past experience, she’d expected a full-scale verbal battle.
“The choice is yours of course,” he granted, shrugging. “But if it was me, I know I’d spend the whole evening regretting it.” He studied her when he’d finished, then gave her a smile Cait could only describe as crafty.
She groaned inwardly. If there was one thing that drove her crazy about Joe it was the way he made the most outrageous statements. Then every once in a while he’d say something so wise it caused her to doubt her own conclusions and beliefs. This was one of those times. He was right: if she didn’t go to Paul’s, she’d regret it. Since she was leaving for Minnesota the following day, she wouldn’t be able to ask anyone about the party, either.
“Are you coming or not?” he demanded.
Grumbling under her breath, Cait let him help her on with her coat. “I’m coming, but I don’t like it. Not one darn bit.”
“You’re going to do just fine.”
“They probably said that to Joan of Arc, too.”
***
Cait clutched the punch glass in both hands, as though terrified someone might try to take it back. Standing next to thefireplace, with its garlanded mantel and cheerful blaze, she hadn’t moved since they’d arrived a half hour earlier.
“Isshehere yet?” she whispered to Lindy when her friend walked past carrying a tray of canapés.
“Who?”
“Paul’s woman friend,” Cait said pointedly. Both Joe and Lindy were beginning to exasperate her. “I’ve been standing here for the past thirty minutes hoping to catch a glimpse of her.”
Lindy looked away. “I... I don’t know if she’s here or not.”
“Stay with me, for heaven’s sake,” Cait requested, feeling shaky inside and out. Joe had deserted her almost as soon as they got there. Oh, he’d stuck around long enough to bring her a cup of punch, but then he’d drifted away, leaving Cait to deal with the situation on her own. This was the very man who’d insisted she attend this Christmas party, claiming he’d be right by her side the entire evening in case she needed him.
“I’m helping Paul with the hors d’oeuvres,” Lindy explained, “otherwise I’d be happy to stay and chat.”
“See if you can find Joe for me, would you?” She’d do it herself, but her feet were killing her.
“Sure.”
Once Lindy was gone, Cait scanned the crowded living room. Many of the guests were business associates and clients Paul had worked with over the years. Naturally everyone from the office was there, as well.
“You wanted to see me?” Joe asked, reaching her side.
“Thank you very much,” she muttered, doing her best to sound sarcastic and keep a smile on her face at the same time.
“You’re welcome.” He leaned one elbow on the fireplace mantel and grinned at her boyishly. “Might I ask what you’re thanking me for?”
“Don’t play games with me, Joe. Not now, please.” She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, drawing his attention to her shoes.
“Your feet hurt?” he asked, frowning.
“Walking across hot coals would be less painful than these stupid high heels.”
“Then why did you wear them?”
“Because they go with the dress. Listen, would you mind very much if we got off the subject of my shoes and discussed the matter at hand?”
“Which is?”
Joe was being as obtuse as Lindy had been. She assumed he was doing it deliberately, just to get a rise out of her. Well, it was working.
