Her Best Match: A Romantic Comedy (The Best Girls Book 1) (28 page)

“Oh my God! What are you still doing here?” Gherring’s voice startled her from her trance.

“I was… I was just working. What time is it?”

“It’s nine thirty! There’s no one here but the night guards. How were you planning to get home?”

“I don’t know. The subway, I guess. I didn’t know it was so late. What are you doing here?”

“I tried to call you, and you didn’t answer your cell. You weren’t at the apartment and Rayna hadn’t seen you come in. Gram didn’t know where you were. I even called Emily, and she hadn’t heard from you. Everyone was worried.”

“You had Emily’s cell number?”

“Yes, I… That’s not the point. No one knew where you were. You can’t stay here this late by yourself.”

“Okay, I’m sorry. But look what I got done. I’ve almost finished Jeff’s whole PowerPoint.”

“I don’t care about the PowerPoint. I care about—”

“You darn well better care about this PowerPoint! I’ve sweated blood over this thing, and you’re going to look at it whether you want to or not!” She glared at him with her arms crossed, until he finally gave in.

“Fine. Let me see what you’ve got.” He leaned over the computer. “You do remember I said I would do this tomorrow?”

“Yes, but that doesn’t give you time to practice the presentation.” Anne brought up the PowerPoint, flashing quickly through the slides and summarizing the information. “Okay, that’s not quite all of it, but most of it. What do you think?” She held her breath.

He was staring at the computer screen, scrolling though the PowerPoint. “How did you do this? How did you put this together using those crappy notes Jeff left? How did you know how to organize this or what this stuff even meant?”

“I just did a little research, and then I got Randy, from the international accounting department, to explain the concepts and the laws and such. I mean, some of it still seems like Greek to me, but I’ve got the gist of it.” She paused for a breath. “Is it good?”

His eyebrows arched high, and he smiled, his dimples announcing his pleasure. “It’s actually great. I can’t believe it—just when I think I’m finally getting to know you, you surprise me again. I mean, every day it’s something new.” He shook his head, and then he forced his face into a stern expression. “But that doesn’t mean you’re out of trouble for scaring me to death. Oh, and you’d better call Emily. I’ll call Gram.”

Anne rode home with Gherring in the limousine. She was so tired she didn’t argue with him about her mode of transportation. Relaxing in the back with the vibration of the car, she felt herself nodding off, even though the ride only lasted fifteen minutes. She woke with a jolt when the car stopped and found herself leaning against his shoulder.

“I just moved over so you could lean on me. Your head was tilting at an awful angle.”

“Thank you.” She felt awkward and shy at his sweet and gentle manner.

“It’s the least I could do. After all, I’m the reason you’re so worn out. Let’s get you upstairs.”

Gherring supported her elbow as they walked in. Anne felt warm even from that small contact on her arm. When they walked into the lobby together, Rayna spotted them immediately.

“Anne! Oh, thank goodness you found her. Is she okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

But Gherring had stopped cold.

“Steven,” said a soft female voice.

Anne turned to see the owner. She was blond and beautiful. Anne knew immediately she was wealthy. By now, Anne knew the look—soft, self-assured, impeccably dressed, sophisticated demeanor, a subtly powerful presence.

“I’ve been waiting for you. I hope you don’t mind.” She walked confidently to Steven and kissed his cheek, before her glance slid questioningly to where Gherring’s hand still supported Anne’s elbow. “Have you rescued some fair maiden?”

Gherring broke from his reverie. “Michelle, this is Anne, my uhmm—”

“His secretary. I’m his secretary.” Anne spoke in a flat, emotionless tone. She removed her elbow from his hand. “I think I can make it upstairs alone. Thank you, sir… for the ride home.”

Anne started for the elevator. She heard Michelle speaking in a low voice to Gherring. “Can we go up? It would be nice to have some privacy.”

“Do you have a hotel room?” His voice sounded gruff and a bit impatient.

“No, I was hoping…” Her voice trailed off and a sob escaped.

Escaping into the elevator, Anne turned around to face the lobby and let her eyes fall on Gherring. He was standing frozen in place, but Michelle had thrown her arms around him, crying inconsolably. For just a moment, his eyes locked with Anne’s. The doors closed, shutting off her view and vaulting her back to reality.

*****

Anne arrived at the office on Tuesday, feeling fatigued. She’d been unable to fall asleep, finally drifting off at two o’clock. Then her eyes snapped open at five o’clock, and she knew the fight was over. She went up to the gym and ran for thirty minutes, then showered and headed for the office. Anne immediately headed into the conference room, with the intent of finishing the Switzerland project. She’d been working undisturbed for almost an hour, when Gherring came to the door.

“Good morning, Anne,” he said hesitantly.

She nodded, but didn’t return the greeting.

He sighed. “I hate to do this to you, but Michelle would like to talk to you.”

This got her attention, and she turned stunned eyes to Gherring. “Why does she want to talk to me? I’m nobody.”

Gherring frowned. “Don’t say that—”

Michelle pushed her way into the room. “I’m sorry! I’m just asking if you’d be willing to talk to me.”

Anne scrutinized Michelle, her quivering lips, her reddened nose, and her still-swollen eyes. Perhaps her night had been as bad as Anne’s. Her heart softened.

“Of course you can talk to me. I just don’t know why you’d want to.”

Michelle nodded at Gherring, and he closed the door, leaving the two women alone. “Can I sit down?”

“Sure. What do you want to talk to me about?”

“I… I want to… I need to ask you about Henri.”

“Henri? Why do you—” Anne’s mouth fell open. “Oh—you’re
that
Michelle!” Now Anne remembered Katie’s story about the broken engagement between Michelle and Gherring.

“So, I understand… Steven told me… you’re dating Henri.”

“Well, I don’t know if you can call it dating. I went out with him a few times while he was here, and I’ve talked to him on Skype. But I’m here, and he’s in Paris. And you’ve probably noticed, I have a job. So I can’t just drop everything and move to Paris.”

“But Henri likes you, doesn’t he? It’s not like him to pursue someone. I know him. He doesn’t just pursue anyone who comes along. He must really like you.”

“Look, I don’t know the whole story about y’all. But I understand you used to date Henri, and you also dated Steven. Word has it you turned both of them down. Is that about right?”

“Yes. But I’ve come to realize I still have feelings for Henri.”

“It’s not really any of my business. I try not to be a judging person, so you don’t need to explain your reasons to me of all people. And if you and Steven have decided to marry after all, I think that’s good. He needs someone. I hate he’s alone. And it’s really not my business, because I’m just his secretary.”

“But that’s not it at all! Just let me explain.” She looked behind her as if to be sure no one else was in the room. “I met Henri, and we were crazy about each other. But I knew he was a real player, so I didn’t really trust him. I broke it off.”

She stood up and began to pace. “And I ran to Steven’s arms, sort of. We’d grown up together like a big brother and little sister—he’s ten years older. Neither of us had anyone else to marry, so we thought the perfect solution was to marry each other. Our families were thrilled, and we almost went through with it.”

She seemed to grow more upset as she shared her story, swiping at the tears rolling down her face. “But then I realized I still loved Henri. So we made up this story about me wanting children and Steven refusing, just to keep my parents and Gram from hounding us. And we called off the marriage.”

Anne nodded. “I can see you’d have to take desperate measures with Gram. She can be pretty tenacious.”

She stopped to search through her purse for a tissue to wipe her face, collapsing into a chair next to Anne. “Six months later, I decided to go to Paris and give it a try. For a couple of weeks it was perfect. Henri was perfect. And he was rich enough I knew he didn’t love me for my money. I know that sounds snobby or stupid, but that kind of thing happens all the time. I’ve been burned so many times.”

She looked so miserable Anne put her hand on her arm to comfort her. “I’m sure it’s hard. That sounds terrible.”

She blinked away a few tears and continued. “One day I noticed Henri was always gone for an hour at the same time every afternoon. So, I know this sounds awful, but I followed him. And I saw him with two kids, a boy and a girl, and the boy looked just like him. I knew they were his kids, and I was just furious he hadn’t told me. We fought, and I wouldn’t let him explain. So I left. The press assumed I’d caught him in an affair, and so did the rest of the world, including Steven.”

Michelle took a deep quivery breath. “But the thing is, I found out later those weren’t Henri’s kids. Do you know about them?”

“Yes, he told me about his sister’s kids. They live in his house now, all three of them. And I think Henri is wonderful for loving those kids and his sister like that.”

Michelle’s expression was wretched, tears spilling from her eyes. “I know… You’re right. I was so blind and I wouldn’t even let him explain. And then, when I found out the truth, I was too proud to admit I was wrong. And I know I really hurt him.”

“Henri said you’d found someone else. He thought you’d found someone who’d make you happy. What happened?”

“He was a jerk. Just like always, he loved my money more than me. And I wish I could go back in time and do that all over again. You know… swallow my pride and let him explain. I was such an idiot.”

“What do you want from me?”

“I don’t know… I guess… Did you say he mentioned me?”

“Yes, I think you’re the reason he was so wild before he met me. I think you really hurt him. He likes me because I could see what a great guy he was, behind all that playboy façade.”

“I think he’s the only man I ever
really
loved.”

Anne was thinking this woman didn’t even begin to understand the meaning of the word.

“I’m going to see him next week, during the Thanksgiving holidays. Mr. Gherring doesn’t know. I haven’t told him because he doesn’t like Henri, as you well know.”

“That’s mostly my fault. It really hurt Steven when I went back to Henri after we broke off the marriage, even though it was a mutual agreement. It hurt Steven’s pride for me to be with Henri. And I probably hurt him again last night by telling him about my feelings for Henri. Steven is so good to me. He only wants what’s best for me. I really wish I could love him the way I do Henri. I think I’ve waited too late now, anyway.”

Her heart hurt, not for Michelle, but for Mr. Gherring. He must still have feelings for her, and it must have killed him for her to profess love for Henri. As much as she hated the idea, if he loved Michelle, she would help them get back together.

“Maybe you should forget about Henri and try again with Mr. Gherring. It’s obvious that he still cares for you.”

“Actually, if you and Henri aren’t dating seriously, I was hoping you might put in a good word for me with him.”

“I can’t make any promises, Michelle. He’s going though a lot right now, and he really needs someone supportive. I don’t think he could handle it if you broke his heart again.”

“But I wouldn’t… Not this time!”

Anne grimaced. “Okay. I’ll try to put in a good word for you if we get a chance to talk.”

Anne worked alone in the conference room until lunchtime. She was about to order take-out from Papa’s when the door opened abruptly.

“Come dear. It’s time for lunch,” Gram demanded.

Anne thought about arguing, but she knew it would be fruitless. “I’m coming, Gram. But I need to get back quickly. I have a lot of work to do.”

“I’ve already spoken to Steven and informed him he’s been giving you too much work. The very idea of you working here alone until nine thirty last night. You can take all the time you need for lunch, and Steven can and will take some of this workload.”

“It’s not his fault.” Anne grabbed her purse. “In fact, it’s kind of my fault.”

“What do you mean?”

“He had to fire this guy who was being fresh with me, and it left us with a crisis right before the big Switzerland presentation. And they’re leaving tomorrow evening.”

“Humph! I don’t believe it was your fault Steven fired someone. He’s not a rash man. He’s infuriatingly deliberate about his decisions… Well, usually.”

“I know you didn’t invite me to lunch to talk about work. Have you made some progress on our project?” Anne spoke cryptically since there were other passengers on the elevator.