Page 25 of Hidden Chance

“I don’t drink.”

“Please tell me you’re joking. Everybody drinks.”

“No, they don’t.”

“Maybe they should.”

“Because alcohol has done such a great job solving the world’s problems?”

He held up his open palms in surrender. “All right. I’ll let it go. I’m not trying to start a fight. I only wanted to tell you about the fundraiser to cheer you up. I’ve obviously failed in my endeavor.”

“I’m sorry.” She pressed her fingers into her forehead. “I’m being cranky. I might not drink, but I can take your advice and lighten up. I’ve been moody lately, and that’s not like me. From now on—” She flashed him a bright smile and found it came easier than she’d expected. “I’ll be more cheerful.”

“Glad to hear it.”

“And thank you for letting me know about the fundraiser.”

“Any time.”

“Now, I better get that coffee I was after because I’ve got a lot of work to do today.”

“Stop by next time you need a breather.”

“Thanks, I will.” No, she wouldn’t. Pike had never made her feel uncomfortable before, but something had changed recently. He was taking much more of an interest in her, and she didn’t know whether it was her imagination or discernment. If she trusted herself to hear God properly, she’d have a better idea. The best she could do for now was keep to herself, something she was doing far too much of this week.

She passed by the last line of cubicles, then had to stop when a chair pushed backward into her path.

The man sitting in her way looked familiar, but she couldn’t remember him being in the office before.

He smiled up at her, and she hugged the mug to her chest, unsure how to react to the flutter in her stomach.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hi?”

He frowned. “Don’t tell me you don’t remember me. That’s deflating.”

“Sorry, you do look familiar, but I have no idea why.”

“The tomato.”

It took her a second to catch on. “Oh. Of course. I can’t believe I didn’t put it together. I didn’t know you worked here. That is so embarrassing that I didn’t recognize you at the store.”

“No, don’t be embarrassed. Today’s my first day. I was in the lobby getting my ID sorted when you came in. I was surprised to see you there, but even moresurprised when I discovered you work on this floor. Just my luck working in the same office as the only woman who’s ever turned me down.”

She blushed. “Don’t forget Jenny whats-her-name.”

“Jenny Topper. Great. You can barely remember me, but you remember the only other girl who threw my advances back in my face?”

“Sorry, that’s rough. It was Robby, right?”

“Thank goodness you remembered. I feel a little better.”

She looked in his cubicle at a picture of a dog. No family. Maybe that was why he was looking for a friend. “Uh…so what’s your job here?”

“Temping. I’m in between jobs at the moment and needed the extra cash. But I’ve always got something on the go, so I don’t expect to stay long. What do you do here?”

“Research manager.”

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