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looked up, his eyes wide, and blew out a pent-up breath. “Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you.”
    She resisted the urge to squeeze his hand, then pulled her own back and struggled to catch her breath. Fire burned through her hand from holding it against his. I’ ll never wash this hand again. She started to laugh even as the corny line flitted through her mind. I must be more overtired than I thought. It’s definitely time to get out of here. She looked away and tried to rein in her thoughts and subdue the tingle that coursed through her every time they accidentally brushed against one another.
    They’d developed somewhat of a casual friendship over the past month. He’d even flirted with her a few times. She definitely got the impression he was interested, but to her dismay he never took the next step.
    â€œDon’t worry about it. Why don’t I run and drop the shirt off for you? This way, you can go over the files one last time and wait for Carol to get back.” Once Carol started chatting with someone, it was a good bet she’d be gone for a while. And Carol always found someone to chat with.
    â€œYou really wouldn’t mind?”
    Garrett looked to Olivia, his gaze searching her face for . . . something. He must have found the answer he was looking for, because he nodded and turned back to his desk. “Thank you so much, Olivia. I really appreciate this. Don’t worry about coming back. I’m going to get out of here as soon as I check through these once more.”
    â€œYou sure?” Though she was looking forward to the holiday and the four-day weekend, she never minded hanging out with Garrett a little longer.
    â€œPositive. Have a happy Thanksgiving.” He leaned toward her almost imperceptibly.
    She inhaled deeply. His musky aftershave invaded her senses. She wanted to breathe in again, but the breath she’d already taken had frozen in her lungs. Maybe it was her body’s way of holding on to the lingering scent. She pressed a hand to her chest in an effort to keep her heart from jumping out.
    â€œYou okay?”
    She jumped, startled. “Uhhh . . .”
    His eyebrows drew together in a quizzical look, and he held the plastic bag out toward her.
    â€œSorry, I was just trying to remember what else I have to do on my way home.” She forced a smile and turned away from him.
    â€œNo problem, I know just how you feel.”
    Somehow, I really doubt that.
    She shoved the plastic bag with Garrett’s shirt into her bag and hefted it over her shoulder. “Enjoy your Thanksgiving, Garrett.”
    She turned and walked out the door into the reception area. She’d almost passed Jill’s desk completely before she hesitated. “Good night, Jill.”
    Jill looked up and simply nodded.
    â€œHave a happy Thanksgiving.” She took two steps before she paused again, glanced over her shoulder, and met Jill’s confused gaze. “I can’t believe it’s Thanksgiving already. Who’d have thought I’d be here that long?”
    Jill’s face flushed red, though whether it was from embarrassment or anger, Olivia couldn’t tell.
    â€œOH NO!” OLIVIA SHOT out of bed, caught her foot in a blanket, and went down in a tangled heap on the floor. “This can’t be happening.” Wrestling the blanket from around her foot, she pulled up on the nightstand, grabbed the alarm clock in both hands, and prayed fervently for the numbers to turn backward. Three in the morning. “What am I going to do?”
    Barney cocked his head from where he lay on his bed in the corner.
    Okay. Take a deep breath. Whining is not going to solve this.
    She slammed the clock down and stumbled to the living room. Where did I put it? She’d stopped at Starbucks on the way home, run into an old friend, and ended up hanging out for a while. She had planned to do a quick stop at home to