Page 81 of Touch of Class

Daphne lifted a shoulder in a gesture she hoped looked like nonchalance.

“Uh-oh.” Sawyer clearly saw through her. “Are you two back at it again?”

“At what?” Gillian’s voice carried only a slight hint of tension.

“Bickering,” Robin said flatly. “Do we have to set up an office rotation so the two of you aren’t ever alone together again?”

Gillian pushed off the wall and straightened her shoulders. “That won’t be necessary. We’re both grown women capable of working out our differences.”

“I believe in you,” Robin said, then turning to Daphne added, “and you. But no more work tonight. We’ve come to kidnap Gillian, or boss-nap her, since she’s just reminded me she’s a grown-ass woman, as are you. Would you like to be napped as well?”

Daphne shook her head. “No thank you.”

“No thank you for me as well,” Gillian said.

“Sorry, Gilly.” Sawyer stepped in. “It’s December in Buffalo. Winter fun must be had.”

“I’m not dressed for winter or for fun.”

Robin laughed. “We’re meeting Tegan and Brooke at your place in fifteen minutes so you can change. We’ll head out from there. You’ll be given instructions but not details.”

Gillian shook her head. “I think I’ve had enough adventure for one night.”

Sawyer and Robin both perked up at the comment, but Daphne cut them off by blurting out, “Fencing.”

They turned to her.

“Gillian took Izzy to fencing lessons and talked with the owners.”

“Wicked cool,” Robin said.

“Indeed.” Daphne pushed herself up on shaky legs. “And it’s also a reminder I need to go pick up my child.”

“Bring her along,” Sawyer offered. “I’d love to meet her.”

Daphne skirted past them, trying not to brush too close to Gillian on the way out, and gave a half-hearted, “Sorry, school night,” in way of her excuse.

“Daphne,” Gillian said her name with a plaintive hint in her voice.

She turned and met her eyes, then looked quickly away again. She simply couldn’t trust herself around this woman. She’d been about to rip her clothes off. Gillian. At work. Fuck.

“I don’t have to go,” Gillian said plainly.

“I do,” Daphne said flatly.

“Okay.” Gillian nodded resolutely, then sighed. “I guess I’ll surrender to my fate tonight.”

“We’re going out with friends, not being ordered to walk the plank.” Robin laughed and clasped a hand on Gillian’s shoulder before steering her out the door. “Trust me. It’ll be better than whatever else was on your plate for tonight.”

Gillian and Daphne cast another glance at each other.

“Go grab your coat,” Sawyer suggested. “We’ll pull up the getaway car.”

Gillian did as instructed, collecting her things while Daphne closed up her own office, but that left them both back at the front door at the same time Robin and Sawyer pulled up in the snow-covered street.

Gillian looked like she wanted to say something, but Daphne shook her head. “Your friends are waiting.”

“I know,” Gillian sighed. “I also get the sense you want to get out of this as quickly and cleanly as possible. I’ll go, but so we don’t repeat any past miscommunications, I am not unaffected.”