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He shook his head. His thoughts shifted to Elizabeth and the party. Worry coursed through his veins. What are my employees going to think when they see me with another woman?
Chapter Ten
Sam pulled up to the front door of the supper club. The valet opened Holly’s door, then Elizabeth’s. The building style was historical, and the beautiful etched-glass, oak trimmed double doors confirmed it wasn’t a new building made to look old; it was truly a historical building.
Even through the dim lighting, Elizabeth took notice of the beautiful, nautical themed décor. The rich ambiance and elegance of both the structure and atmosphere pleased her.
She followed Joe as he led them through the bar area to the coat check closet, and then down a dimly lit hallway to a private banquet room. The décor throughout the entire building was absolutely exquisite.
The number of people in the banquet room surprised her. She’d been under the impression Sam and Joe owned a small firm, yet an estimated forty people or so mingled about the room, most lingering around the bar area in the far corner.
Elizabeth followed her group to the bar. Sam turned to Holly and asked her what she wanted to drink. Joe did the same with her. She ordered a glass of red wine, following suit with Sam and Holly. Her date ordered a Heineken.
“Figures, you can dress him up, but you can’t take him out,” Elizabeth whispered to her friend.
“You can be such a snit,” Holly shot back. “Give the poor guy a break, he’s been nothing but nice to you.”
Elizabeth sighed. Her friend was right. And for the life of her, she couldn’t figure out why she was always so hard on the guy.
With drinks in hand, Joe and Sam mingled with their guests. Elizabeth sat off to the side and watched them in action. On several occasions, she heard Sam introduce Holly as his girlfriend, and her friend beamed proudly on each occasion.
During a gap in mingling, Joe glanced around the room until his gaze landed on her. His eyes widened, and she nearly laughed at his shocked expression. It was obvious he’d forgotten she came with him. He began walking toward her.
Just as he approached her, an older, elegant looking woman also appeared at the table. “Well, Joe, how nice to see you. It’s been a while. You need to stop in the office more often so we know you’re still with us,” she said as she smiled widely at him.
He smiled back. “It’s nice to see you too. How’s Clarence?”
“He’s fine, he’s around here somewhere,” The woman said as she looked inquisitively in Elizabeth’s direction.
Elizabeth glanced from the lady to Joe. His eyes emitted panic. Why the panic? Anxiety coursed through her veins. Was he ashamed to be with her?
How is he going to introduce me?
Joe gestured toward her. “Rita, I’d like you to meet Ms. Elizabeth Shaw...uh...she’s my neighbor. Elizabeth, this is Rita. She works for my firm.” Joe fidgeted with his cufflink.
The woman winked at her and extended her hand. “It’s nice to meet Joe’s neighbor.”
