Anne blushed. “Never again. I promise. I don’t want you to have to check on me all the time. You have enough to worry about without me adding to things.”
“That’s not what I meant. Don’t go putting words in my mouth.”
“I know you didn’t mean that, but I do. I’m sorry I’ve been a burden to you. And now because of me, you had to fire Jeff and—”
“And get rid of a liability before I had a lawsuit on my hands. It was only a matter of time, you know.”
Gherring seemed almost relieved to be rid of the man, but she couldn’t shake feeling responsible for the current crisis. “Still, I’m going to make it up to you.”
“You know what would make me really happy?”
“What? I’ll do anything.”
“Anything?” His eyebrows arched. “In that case, let me reconsider…”
She covered her face with her hands. “I don’t know why I bother to wear shoes around you. I keep my foot in my mouth most of the time.”
He pulled her hands down and leaned down to eye level. “Seriously, if you really want to make me happy, tell me Jeff didn’t traumatize you. I’m the one responsible here—don’t you see that? One of my employees assaulted another employee at work.”
“It certainly wasn’t your fault. And I’m perfectly fine.”
“I’m not so sure. I think you should talk to a counselor.”
She couldn’t tell him about her secret fear of talking to any type of counselor. Anne was fairly certain her brain didn’t work like other people’s, and more than one person had questioned her sanity.
“I swear I’m okay. I won’t worry about Jeff anymore. Okay? And you don’t have to worry about me, either. Furthermore, I promise to sleep in my bed from now on.” With a teasing smile she added, “Alone.”
His dimples winked into view. “Finally—you’ve put my mind at ease.” The elevator opened on Anne’s floor, but he stopped her before she departed. “How about a lift tomorrow morning? Downstairs at six forty-five?”
It sounded really early, especially since fatigue was leaking out of her bones. But she owed him all the help she could give, so she put a bright expression on her face. “Awesome.”
Emily had left several messages on her cell phone, so Anne returned the call.
“Hey sweetie. What’s up?”
“Just checking in. What’s this I hear about us going climbing with some guys?” Her voice sounded skeptical.
“No big deal, you don’t even have to climb if you don’t want to. But I think you’d like it if you tried.”
“You know I don’t like doing dangerous things. Charlie got all the adventurous genes.”
“It’s not dangerous at all. And it’s only for an hour, with two cute guys. By the way, Mr. Gherring is going also.”
“Steven Gherring is going climbing with us? Wow! Have you told Charlie?”
“Nope, I just found out tonight.”
“Great. Don’t bother to call her. I’ll tell her all about it and save you the trouble.”
“Thanks a lot,” Anne said sarcastically. “I think this conversation sounds vaguely familiar.”
“I know you said he’s obnoxious and snobby, but I’m really excited to meet him.”
“I didn’t say he was obnoxious and snobby, did I?”
“Hmmm, no… I actually think you called him self-absorbed, selfish and conceited.”
“