Truth or Date by Susan Hatler Page B

my face as if trying to gauge what to say, then he sighed when I looked away. “Have you come to celebrate my departure as you kick me to the curb?”
    His voice sounded playful, but the words weren’t funny. “Of course not.”
    “Chris, the second floor’s really going miss you.” Melinda Morgan slid up beside Chris and bit her perfectly painted lip. That pink color had to be all-day-wear because of its mid-day vibrancy. It went disgustingly well with her blonde hair and black dress, too. She looked camera-ready every day and I shuddered at the amount of time that must take each morning. “We want to take you out for drinks tonight so don’t you dare say you have plans.”
    “No.” He laughed good-naturedly. “That sounds fun. I’m in.”
    “Well, then.” She tapped her finger against his red tie. “Prepare yourself for the best send-off of all time.”
    “I’ll try, Mel. Thanks.” His baby blues lit up as he gave her a genuine smile, then he turned to me. “How about it, Gina? Drinks tonight?”
    “Oh, I, uh . . .” Truth be told, it seemed like they’d forgotten me standing there. I wondered if this ‘we’ going out for drinks tonight was just ‘Mel,’ but it’s not like I could tag along to find out. “I can’t, guys, sorry. Rehearsal for Ellen’s wedding, then dinner after.”
    Mel’s lips pursed as if mentioning the wedding were a personal slight. She could be sensitive sometimes but I knew Ellen didn’t invite many people from work due to the cost. “Not sure how late Ellen’s dinner will run, but call if you can meet up with us after. I’m sure we’ll still be out.”
    “Have fun.” I took the opportunity to step away and fill a plate with food. Most people had shaken Chris’s hand, loaded up on grub, then taken it back to their desks. The conference room was a good size, but couldn’t fit more than twenty. Once they’d bid Chris farewell, they disappeared to enjoy the rest of their lunch hour.
    For some reason, even with the awkwardness, I felt obligated to stay. I’d paid the caterers and Rach had agreed to do clean-up since I’d organized. But knowing how sad Chris seemed about moving on from a place he loved working, I wanted to be here for him—even if from a distance. So I picked a vacant chair at the end of the table and chatted with Dawn Parsons, the newest addition to the sales team. Until Chris leaves, that is. Dawn’s been assigned to train the new guy replacing Chris on Monday.
    After lunch, I gave Chris a hug that was painfully hard to keep brief. His spice-scented cologne brought back memories from last night—mainly the warmth of his lips against mine—and I wanted to sink into him and bury my head in his chest. “Like you said, this is a positive move. They’re lucky to have you.”
    His head turned toward me. “Thanks, Gina.”
    Since my throat was closing up, I let go, backed up, then all but sped down the hall. I pressed the elevator button and the down arrow lit. Waiting for the doors to open, I blinked back tears. It was better this way. I’d find the lasting relationship I was looking for and he’d find the next flavor of the month. Maybe Mel. She was pretty, seemed interested, and it would no longer break his rule to go out with her. . . .
     My stomach roiled and I forced the picture of the two of them together out of my mind.
    Ding. The elevator settled onto the floor, then the doors opened. I stepped in, leaned back against the oak-lined side wall and tapped the first floor button, wishing this day were over.
    The doors slowly moved toward each other then jerked to a stop when a white-sleeved arm thrust between them.
    Chris stepped in. “Going down?”
    ****
    Straightening, I watched as Chris hit the first floor button, then I quickly dabbed the corners of my eyes before he leaned back and stole a glance at me. “Weren’t there still people at your party?”
“Not many.” His tone was even and he stood as straight as I did, both of us