Jealous in July (Spring River Valley Book 7) by Clarice Wynter Read Free Book Online

shoulder.
    “Thanks! I normally take the stairs, but the walk from my car to the lobby nearly killed me. It must be a hundred and ten out there with the humidity.”
    Brenda managed to nod, a half smile frozen on her face. Why did she feel guilty all of a sudden? As though thinking about Chase—all right, thinking about the remote possibility of having some kind of sexual encounter with Chase—somehow meant she was cheating on Riley ?
    “So, how was your weekend?” he asked, though he was studying the folded newspaper he carried. She wondered if he would even hear the answer.
    “I…uh…hot. My weekend was hot.”
    He laughed. “And not in the good way, right?”
    Damn, she was hoping he’d have thought she meant the opposite. She grinned, ignoring the brief lightheadedness the elevator ride always caused. How many times had she fantasized about getting stuck in this elevator with Riley, having to spend hours with each other, nothing to do but talk until they realized how much they had in common and how wonderful their union would be?
    Thinking of those daydreams now caused self-conscious heat to rise from her collar. She glanced sidelong at Riley, hoping he was still engrossed in his newspaper. He was, and that allowed her to take a long look at him. There was no denying he was handsome with his dark blond hair styled in professionally mussy waves. At eight forty-five a.m. there wasn’t a hint of stubble on his jaw, but his skin was so pale, even after a day spent mostly in the sun for the company picnic, he looked like he’d been indoors for a decade. Half-moon shadows darkened the area beneath his eyes, and more than once during the brief ride to the tenth floor, he sighed heavily as if he was exhausted.
    “So, how did your studying go?” She blurted out the question just as the elevator doors opened.
    “What? Oh…ah, pretty good, I guess. I took your advice and I went for a walk.”
    “And you didn’t end up a puddle on the sidewalk? I give you credit.”
    “Well, it was five a.m. when I took my walk. I’d been up all night and I needed to clear my head. Sleep might have been a better idea.”
    Brenda wanted to offer him comfort and sympathy, but the words just wouldn’t come. How could she entice a man when she had no idea what to say to him most of the time? “Well, maybe you can catch up on your sleep today. I mean, tonight. Um…when would you like me to start working on your files?”
    “My files?”
    Her heart skipped a beat. Had she only daydreamed that he’d asked her to work for him while Mitzi was on vacation? “You know, to organize them?”
    “Oh! Right. Sure. Any time you’re ready. Go get yourself some coffee and drop by my office whenever you’re settled in.”
    “Hey, Brenda.” Chase appeared then, stepping off the second elevator. He must have been right behind them in the lobby.
    “Hi.” She cast him a meaningful look, but he skillfully ignored it.
    “Hey, Chase.” Riley gestured with his newspaper. “Did you read the article on page ten about internet security? It mentioned a couple of things I think we should implement in our personnel files.”
    “No…I haven’t,” Chase replied, but his gaze was fixed on Brenda ’s.
    “Let’s talk at lunch.”
    “Sure, uh, Brenda, how’s your air conditioning? I really felt bad dropping your off at your hot apartment the other night. Did the super get it fixed yet?”
    Brenda stared at Chase, her mind whirling. “No, not yet. He’s working on it.”
    “Well, my offer still stands.”
    “Great, thanks.”
    Riley smiled questioningly at the two of them, then abruptly walked away. Brenda let out her breath and shook her head. “My God, that was a lame conversation.”
    “I told you, the guy’s brain is banana pudding.”
    “Not him, you. What was that about? Your hot apartment?”
    “What?” Chase raised his hands in surrender. “God’s honest truth, I felt bad. I didn’t make that up.” He lowered his voice.