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“What time should I pick you up for lunch?”
Lunch? He wanted to see her again. Her heart fluttered, but she quickly tamped it down. “I can’t.”
“But you have to eat.”
“I have to work.”
“Are you sure I can’t persuade you? Maybe with some ice cream—”
“Andrew, don’t. I didn’t finish my work last night, and then I slept in this morning. That can’t happen again. I have to stay focused.”
“Aren’t you allowed any time for yourself—”
“You aren’t understanding. My career is my life. I can’t fail. I have people counting on me. And if I hope to buy the chapel, I have to be on top of everything. Of all people, I thought you would understand.”
“Then meet me for coffee.”
Clara smiled. “You just won’t give up, will you?”
“Not a chance when I might get to spend some more time with you.”
“Andrew, are you flirting with me?”
“I don’t know. Is it working?”
“Maybe.” And now he had her flirting back. “But seriously, I’m grabbing some coffee and heading back to the office. I can’t wait for you.”
“I’m leaving now.”
“I’m serious. I have work to do.”
“See you soon.” And then the line went dead.
Andrew’s determination to see her at any other time would have her smiling, but the thought of her business being threatened by some unnamed source had her clenching her back teeth. But it didn’t keep her from being disappointed about not getting to spend more time with him.
On the way to Java ’N Tea, Clara told herself that as much as she wanted to see Andrew, she wasn’t going to wait around for him. She didn’t have time to have a casual coffee and donut. She had to get to the office and plug up the leak. Who had told the press about the wedding?
The more she thought about it, the more certain she was that it wasn’t anyone she worked with. So who did that leave? Tula’s people? Or some third-party that had overheard a conversation about the wedding preparation?
She planned to contact the news outlet and try to get to the bottom of it. Though she realized that the press rarely ever revealed their source. But that didn’t mean she wouldn’t try, because this could never ever happen again.
Parking was at a premium. It seemed everyone was out enjoying the beautiful weather. Not too hot and not too cold. And yet it didn’t lift her mood as she pulled into her parking spot at the office.
She rushed to the coffeehouse. She just couldn’t wait around for him. And if she didn’t desperately need her morning coffee to get her through this day, she wouldn’t have made this slight detour.
She swung open the door. Just then Andrew turned from where he stood at the checkout counter. He was holding two coffees. A welcoming smile lit up his face.
She moved toward him. “Hi.”
“Hi.” He held out the large coffee in a to-go-cup. “I got this for you.”
“Thank you.” She couldn’t deny the warmth that swirled in her chest at his thoughtfulness. “But I can’t stay.”
“Maybe just a moment.” Before she could reject the idea, he added, “Because there’s someone that wants to talk to you.”
When he gestured off to the side, she turned and found a table in the corner where her friends were seated. Brooke gestured her over. Next to her were Selena, Gabi, and Marie.
They’d all become good friends via their occupations. Selena Blakely owned Bit of Cake Bakery. Gabi Flores owned Gabi’s Posies. And Maria Ortega owned Classic Elegance Catering.
