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eager to introduce you to.”
    As Walt led Chris around the room, I marveled at Chris’s ability to charm everyone. He seemed to do it effortlessly, too, as if it came naturally to him. When he introduced me to Walt’s wife as “Gina,” (instead of “my friend, Gina”) I wondered if she thought I might be his girlfriend. Not that I wanted her to think that. Although why not? It’s not like she knew he preferred to bring a friend as his guest rather than someone on his speed-dial.
    I didn’t know why his not finding me date-worthy still bugged me. Must have bruised my ego, I guess. No other reason I should care. Nor was there a good excuse for my squinting in the direction of the brunette vixen, I recognized from Cafe Mattia. She strode over to Chris and chatted him up with her own set of charm. Didn’t Ms. Human Resources Manager have her own date?
    It turned out she did not have her own date. I knew this because they seated her at our table. Next to Chris. Why he wasn’t sitting next to his new boss was beyond me. No, they’d seated me next to Walt’s wife, Cynthia, and Walt was on her other side next to another newbie named John Baird who laughed a bit too loud as if he was nervous.
    “How did you and Chris meet?” Cynthia said, making it hard for me to hear what Chris and Ms. H.R. were saying.
    “We work together at the software company Chris is leaving,” I said, trying my best to ignore the feminine chuckle coming from Ms. H.R. I mean, really, were they going to talk close like that all night? Where was our waiter?
    On the other side of the room, in fact. Not about to break up whatever scintillating—I’m sorry, but it can’t be 401K related—conversation that was making Ms. H.R. drop that sexy laugh every few seconds.
    “Oh, I’m familiar with your company.” Cynthia proceeded to tell me how her husband’s software business would have much better opportunities for Chris, which was probably true or Chris wouldn’t have taken the job.
    After Cynthia turned her attention to the menu, I leaned over to Chris. “Would you mind ordering me a Cobb salad? I need to run to the ladies room.”
    He gave me a look I didn’t know how to interpret. “Sure.”
    “Thanks.” I might’ve stayed until after the waiter had hit our table and then asked to be excused, but I couldn’t take any more of Ms. H.R.’s throaty laughter.
    When I got to the powder room, I splashed cold water on my face. If Chris wanted to talk to that girl Tina all night then why had he bothered asking me to come? And why hadn’t he saved me from listening to Cynthia wax on about her hubby’s company when I wanted to be talking to him? I mean, I’d rather be talking to Ethan about Julius Caesar. Well, almost.
    Then I told myself to be fair. Chris had dared me to be his date before he’d known Tina would be here. He apparently found her more attention-worthy than me, which was a huge kick in the gut. Okay, so I hadn’t exactly acted overjoyed when he’d asked me out. Maybe I had been a bit snarky when I’d seen him on a lunch date with her. And, well, I had made him late for his important dinner.
    But I’d done him a favor. More importantly, I’d been looking forward to spending time with him, which just showed what a fool I was. If Chris could hurt me over something like this, imagine how vulnerable I’d be if I really let him in.  
    I picked up a fancy hand towel from the basket and dabbed it on my face. Then I slid Mocha Madness over my lips, once again wishing I looked my best tonight. Ms. H.R. sure did.
    Staring at my reflection, I gripped the edges of the sink, and forced myself to accept reality. This wasn’t a competition I could win. Chris had only invited me to avoid being a third wheel, which he wasn’t anymore. If he preferred to be with this Tina girl then, as a friend, I should excuse myself and go home. Besides, TV and dessert would be better than suffering through more of their flirting.
    Chris had obviously