Can't Help Falling in Love by David W. Menefee, Carol Dunitz Read Free Book Online

she kept a watchful eye on Sharon. At one point, Jeff asked her a question
and Allison did not even answer, so wrapped up was she in monitoring Sharon’s
every move.
        
“Did you even hear me? Jeff asked.
        
Allison snapped back to attention. “I’m sorry—what did you say?”
        
“I asked if you like the agenda for next month’s meeting. Allison, you seem
upset. Are you stewing about Sharon?”
        
“Yes. I mean, no. Yes, I like the proposed agenda, but no, I’m not stewing
about that woman. Don’t worry about me. You should know by now that I can take
care of myself.”
        
“If it’s an introduction you want . . . .” Jeff looked from her to Marshall, “.
. . it’s an introduction you’ll get! I already know that she wants to meet you,
but you need to remind yourself that if Sharon Eaton’s interested in you, she’s
got a reason. And when Sharon has a reason, you’re best off keeping her at arms
length.”
        
“What is she, a leprous ogre?”
        
Before Jeff could reply, several people came up to Allison to comment how
interesting the speaker had been. She acted like she had been absorbed in the
entire speech and savored every moment, but in fact, she merely wanted to get
away from the place, and she did not want to meet Sharon . . . not yet. She
said a quick goodbye to Marshall and Jeff, and left with a book tucked under
her arm that had been given out to the first hundred attendees. Her mind was on
other matters. Why did this Sharon Eaton want to
meet me? Why were Jeff and Marshall so brutal when they talked about Sharon ?
How will my meeting this afternoon turn out? There’s so much to tell Karen
later. Where will I start?
        
She was halfway across the lobby and almost to the coat rack when she heard
Marshall calling out, “Allison! Wait!”
        
She turned to look back and was astonished to see Marshall with Sharon in
tow—or was Sharon taking the lead and practically dragging Marshall to initiate
an introduction to her? She appeared to want to meet Allison, but she seemed
more like a blood-sucking octopus in a newfound garden of fresh tropical fish,
and she was wasting no time in heading toward her.
        
Allison watched as they made a beeline across the lobby toward her, and then
Jeff suddenly burst through a side door from the meeting room and practically
ran to catch up with the three of them.
        
“Jeffrey!” Sharon greeted him warmly and extended her arm so they could shake
hands. “How good to see you! It’s been too long since
our paths crossed!”
        
Allison noted the strained expression that passed across her friend’s face. She
knew that Jeff did not like to be called by his formal name, but somehow, when
Sharon said the name, the sound was so natural, so intimate. Had
Jeff had some sort of liaison with this woman which embittered him so? Jeff and
Marshall had said she would go to any lengths to get what she wanted. What had
she done to entrap them?
        
Jeff kissed Sharon on the cheek, a kiss that was similarly
returned in kind.  He casually slipped his arm around her.  How
hypocritical we all are at times, Allison mused. I
wonder, does she think as highly of him as he does of her? Or is it simply this
advertising business that makes us behave in a
two-faced way at times? They’ll be over here in another moment. Why not stay put and force Sharon to paddle across the entire length of the lobby to meet me? At
least I can meet her from a position of strength!
        
Allison planted herself firmly, like a Grecian statue connected to the core of
the earth, and radiated an expression of gentile curiosity that neatly covered
up her outright disbelief at the woman and her unmitigated gall. The two men
were smiling at the impending introduction as if the moment was a Prelude to
War. Allison stood firm, but she held out one hand as if to invite them nearer,
even though Sharon was heading in her direction