“Why not?”
“Because I have the feeling you’re going to tell me anyway.”
“But I want you to ask me,” Rusty insisted.
“O-kay.” David sat back in his chair and forced a serious expression. “Rusty, why are you smiling? Did you find out you’re getting money back from your income tax? Or could you have won the lottery?”
Rusty’s grin widened. “Better than that.”
David sat forward and lifted a questioning eyebrow.
“Lauren said she’d go with me to the Spring Gala.”
“No kidding? That is good news.” David didn’t know what had contributed to Lauren’s change of heart, but he couldn’t help but be happy for Rusty…and for himself.
The Spring Gala was Warner Enterprises’ big yearly event and for the past few years Lauren had gone as David’s date. In fact, Lauren had told him just before they’d left for Las Vegas that she’d already bought her dress for this year’s event.
“I really didn’t think she’d go, but I thought about what you’d said the other day—about maybe now with you out of the picture she might be willing to give me a shot—and I thought what did I have to lose?” Rusty leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “Still, you could have blown me away when she said yes.”
“Maybe things will work out for the two of you,” David said, hoping that would be the case. Even after all the years he’d spent with her, the thought of Lauren with another man didn’t bother him in the least.
“I don’t know ’bout that,” Rusty said. “But at least she’s giving me a chance.”
“You’ve definitely got your foot in the door.”
“Thanks to you and that Las Vegas wedding.” Rusty rose. “I’d better get back to work.” He strode to the door and stopped. “You know, I’m liking that new wife of yours more and more every day.”
David smiled and watched his friend head down the hall. He was glad for Rusty. Glad that Lauren was giving the guy a second look.
Because Lauren was a good person. And so was Rusty. They both deserved to be with someone who loved them.
Heck, didn’t everyone deserve at least that?
“You’ll never guess who called me today.” Christy sat back in the kitchen chair and watched David put his TV dinner into the microwave.
David punched in the time and pushed the start button, wishing he hadn’t made such a point about making his own dinner. “Who?”
“Sara.” Christy’s lips curved in a smile. “We’re going shopping tomorrow.”
He could hear the happiness in her voice, and it only reiterated that he’d done the right thing in talking to Sara. Pulling a carton of milk from the refrigerator, he poured himself a glass and then took a seat opposite Christy. “Are you two going to be looking for anything special?”
“Maybe something for that Spring Fling, or whatever it is you call that office party,” she said thoughtfully. “Though I’m not sure exactly what kind of dress I should be looking for.”
“Actually it’s called the Spring Gala,” he said. “And it’s formal, though you’ll see a little bit of everything.”
“Formal?” Christy’s eyebrows rose. “That surprises me.”
“Why?” David got up and took his dinner out of the microwave.
Christy paused. “Don’t take this wrong. But most of the people that work at Warner are blue-collar. I can’t imagine that they’d be interested in wearing a tux or a formal gown.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” David said. “We promote it as a prom for adults and it’s our most popular event. For many this is their only chance to dress up and dance to live music.”
“It sounds like fun,” Christy said.
“You don’t have to come if you don’t want to.”
“Not want to?” Christy frowned. “Why wouldn’t I want to?”
David paused, but knew she needed to know. “Lauren will be there.”
“She doesn’t work for Warner.”
“No, but Rusty does and she’s coming as his date.”
“And why should that bother me?”
“I know seeing her at Sara’s party made you uncomfortable.”
“Seeing you holding hands with her is what made me uncomfortable.” Christy raised a brow. “I assume she won’t have her arms around you at this party.”
“Only if she cons me into dancing with her.”
“Well, then I guess I’ll just have to make sure I keep your dance card full.” Christy leaned over the table and smiled impishly. “After all, what are friends for?”
David grinned and tore the plastic topping off his dinner. He had the feeling this gala was going to be very interesting indeed.
“Thank you so much for helping me find the dress.” Christy glanced at the garment bag folded neatly over the chair next to her.
“No problem.” Sara smiled as the waiter set two Italian sodas on the table. “I love shopping.”
“Me, too.” Christy took a sip of the soda. “And I love having someone with me to tell me what looks good and what looks hideous.”
Sara laughed. “I don’t think there was one thing that you tried on that looked hideous.”
“You’re forgetting perhaps the aqua-colored taffeta,” Christy said, remembering how she’d looked in the three-sided mirror. “The one the clerk insisted I try on?”
“She probably could have gotten an extra bonus if she’d sold it.” Sara’s laughter mingled with Christy’s. “You’re right. That dress was ugly.”
They were still laughing when a woman Christy had never seen before approached the table. Dressed in a cream-colored linen sheath with matching jacket, the thirtysomething-year-old looked more ready for work than shopping.
Christy suddenly felt underdressed in the leggings and tunic top that seemed perfect only moments before.
“Sara, what are you doing in town? I thought you and Sal were in Bermuda.”
“Nancy, what a surprise.” Sara’s smile was warm and welcoming. “Actually, we put our vacation on hold. This new album is taking more time than I planned. How have you been? And how’s Rick?”
“I’m doing great. And Rick, well, he’s been working a lot.”
Sara gestured to an empty chair. “Won’t you join us?”
“Well, I do have a few minutes before I need to pick up Amy from school.” Nancy hesitated, her gaze shifting to Christy. “If you’re sure I won’t be interrupting.”
“You’re not interrupting anything at all,” Christy said. “Please join us.”
“In that case, I’d love to.” The woman took a seat and smiled at Christy. “I’m sorry, I don’t believe we’ve ever met. I’m Nancy Hunter.”
“I am so sorry,” Sara said, clearly embarrassed. “I thought you’d met Christy at my party.”
“I had to sneak out of the party early,” Nancy admitted. “My mother is getting settled into a new apartment and she texted that she needed my help.”