"Even I know that one.It’sMaltese Falcon."Molly's comment brought her thoughts back into focus.
"What?"Claire asked.
"Humphrey Bogart.Maltese Falcon."
"Right actor, wrong movie,” Claire said.“It's Bogart, but it’s fromCasablanca."
“I told you I'm no good at this," Molly whined.
"Listen, I'm going to have to call you back."Perspiration broke out on the back of Claire’s neck.Her office suddenly grew stuffy, and she quickly removed her blazer.
"But you haven't opened the?—."
"I'll call you back, I promise,” Claire said.
She ended the call, grabbed the gift bag, and headed for the elevator.Anna had stepped away from her desk.Claire could slip out for a minute and be back before being missed.The walls of the office closed in around her.She needed to get outside.Fresh air.Change of scenery.Anything to clear her cloudy head.
She flopped down on their bench, now completely out of breath.Masses of moving bodies swarmed the space around her.Claire closed her eyes for a moment to regain a mental foothold.She could picture Jay beside her, dressed in a suit, straight from his office.Every single lunch date had ended in the exact same locale—the bench where she now sat.Only this time, instead of sharing laughter and smiles with a handsome man, she sat alone with her guilt.Molly's one teasing comment had unexpectedly re-opened a Pandora's Box of concealed emotions.Emotions she thought she had a handle on.
Claire’s thoughts turned to that fateful night, when everything in her world turned upside down.A Christmas Eve that started with disappointment and ended with devastation.A night that taunted her with the same cruel question.Why did I send Liz that stupid text?
A light breeze swirled around her, drying the sweat on the back of her neck.The colorful tissue paper flapped in the wind.Her smile returned as she reached to see what new treat he'd sent by way of messenger.She'd begged him to stop with all his silly little presents.Deep down, she didn't want him to stop.Ever.Her hand disappeared down into the folds of the tissue paper and returned with something she hadn't expected.An apple.Her smile grew wider and she couldn't help but laugh out loud.With a shake of her head, she took a big bite of the fruit and headed back inside.
Anna hung up the phone just as she caught sight of Claire."Where have you been?"
"I went out for a little fresh air.Why?"She could see the urgency on her assistant's face.
"Because Isaac just called a meeting.At one-thirty."
"What?"Claire gasped."Why?"
"No idea,” Anna said.“All I know is that his memo was markedurgent.What time’s your lunch date?"
"One-thirty."Claire said, her mouth turning down.
"Can you call him?”Anna asked.“Maybe you could reschedule."
"He's in a meeting himself, hence the lateness of our date."
"Let me go to the meeting in your place," Anna offered."I'll tell Isaac that you?— "
"No, you can’t do that."Claire consulted her watch, making mental calculations."But I might ask you to go deliver a message for me."
"To Mr.Avery?"
"Would you mind?”Claire asked.“He’ll be at that little Italian place around the corner."
"Of course not.How will I know him?"
"Just look for the sexy man with smart glasses and a smile that can stop traffic."
Claire grinned and tossed the apple core in Anna's wastebasket.
After speaking with the hostess, Anna headed to a table in the back toward her target.He appeared anxious, his eyes fixed firmly on the entrance.
"Jay Avery?"Anna asked.
"Yes?"He studied her with a curious expression.
