Page 54 of Hidden Chance

“Don’t give me that look. I told you, it’s just dinner with a coworker.”

“That’s not what it will look like to anyone else.”

“Who cares what anyone else thinks?”

“I do.”

“I’m going to keep bugging you until you change your mind.”

“You’d be wasting your time.”

“It’s my time to waste.”

“Suit yourself. Hey, did you get that report I sent through earlier?”

“I did, but I haven’t had a chance to look it over yet.” He checked his watch. “I’ve got a meeting in an hour that I have to prepare for, so I’m afraid it will have to wait.”

“That’s okay. I’ve got a pile of work I need to get through.”

“We’ll talk later.”

“Okay.”

She left Pike’s office and went to the kitchen. As she passed Robby’s desk, she cleared her throat. Hopefully, he’d get her hint.

In the kitchen, she stalled for time by washing the dishes someone had left in the sink. Then she refilled the water tank on the coffee machine before finally making her coffee.

Robby walked in and went to the fridge.

“Would you mind getting me the milk?” she said.

“Sure.”

When he handed it to her, she stared at it for a long second, then looked up at him. He had that same impish grin he’d given her before.

“Thanks. This is harder than I thought.”

“Making coffee?”

“No. Pretending I don’t like you.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment. Was that throat clearing for me? Or are you coming down with something?”

“No, I wanted to tell you that Pike is headed out for a meeting in an hour. His office will be empty.”

“I’ll try to get in if I can, but I’ll have to look for an opening. I can’t let anyone see me.”

“Then let me go in.”

“Hannah.”

“If anyone asks, I have a perfectly good reason for being in there.”

“I won’t let you put yourself at risk.” He poured milk into her cup, then put it back in the fridge and left without saying another word.

“This is ridiculous,” she said to herself as she stirred the sugar into her drink.

When she went back to her office, she had no trouble ignoring him.

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