‘It was never supposed to be a secret.’
Bridget nods. ‘This is all new to her. She’s never had to deal with jealous feelings before.’ Her mouth twitches. ‘And yet she’s still doing a better job than you.’
I don’t deny it.
‘How serious was it between you two?’ she asks.
I’ve got no idea how to answer that. ‘More serious than it should’ve been.’
Keys rattle on the other side of the door, and a moment later, Annie walks in. She freezes when she sees me.
Bridget gets to her feet. ‘How was the sightseeing?’
Annie enters the room. ‘It was great. We drove around, had lunch at some Japanese place. First time eating sushi. And probably the last.’
At least lunch was a bust. He was likely trying to impress her with his superior, mature palate.
I can’t sit here and listen to her go on about her amazing date with her boss, whose motives are becoming very clear. Standing, I say, ‘I’m going to head off.’
‘You don’t have to leave on my account,’ Annie says.
I meet her eyes, then look away.
‘Did you happen to grab the mail on your way up?’ Bridget asks.
Annie shakes her head. ‘I’ll get it now.’
I give Bridget a look that makes it clear I know the game she’s playing. ‘See ya.’
She gives me a victorious smile. ‘Bye.’
I hold the door open for Annie, and she walks on ahead of me. I watch her as we descend the stairs, trying to read her body language. She’s easy viewing.
When we reach the bottom, she holds the door for me this time, but I grab it and gesture for her to go ahead.
‘Thanks,’ she mutters.
Then we’re side by side, walking along the path to the mailboxes.
I have a few minutes at most to say the things I need to say. I’m just not sure what those things are.
‘You should be careful with your boss.’
That certainly wasn’t on the list.
Annie gives me a tired look. ‘Careful of what, exactly?’
‘Spending your days off with him will give him the wrong idea.’
She checks the mailbox, then straightens with a sigh. ‘It’s Sunday. There’s no mail on Sundays.’ She frowns in the direction of her apartment, then turns to me. ‘And what wrong idea am I giving him?’
‘That you’re available to him twenty-four seven, for one.’
‘Well, right now I am. Work is all I have.’ She crosses her arms. ‘You know, since I don’t make comments on the people you see in your private life, maybe you should show me the same courtesy.’
I give her a sarcastic smile. ‘The thing is, I know guys a little better than you do.’
‘Oh, he’s very different to the guys you’re familiar with—trust me on that.’