The Apartment by Debbie Macomber Read Free Book Online Page B

such an awkward position. It was time to smooth the waters.
    Although Sean had tried to disguise that he was nervous over starting his new job, Hilary knew he was. The position was perfect for him, with just enough adventure to keep him from growing bored.
    She might have been concerned about the danger of such flights if she didn’t have complete confidence in Sean’s abilities. He’d flown in a war zone and survived several harrowing missions. A little thing like a mountain didn’t even faze him.
    Hilary had spent the better part of the afternoon, between customers, coming up with the menu. She’d had to drive halfway across Portland to assemble everything she needed. Their dinner would start off with an asparagus roll with ham, followed by an entrée of baked fresh halibut with champagne sauce. For dessert she’d found a quaint bakery and purchased a Neapolitan torte.
    By six-thirty, her masterpiece was ready and waiting. Hilary set the table with care, using three ultra-thin candles in a bed of pink carnations as a centerpiece. A streamer spelling out Congratulations in bold metallic colors was strung across the archway leading into the kitchen.
    At the sound of Sean’s car door closing, Hilary placed a party hat on her head. When he opened the front door, she blew a paper whistle and yelled out, “Surprise!”
    Sean froze, looking as if he’d just stepped on a land mine.
    â€œCongratulations,” Hilary said, stepping forward and wrapping her arm around his. “I hope you’re ready for one of the most delectable meals of your life.”
    Still Sean didn’t move. “Hil, you shouldn’t have…”
    â€œAre you surprised?”
    He nodded slowly, regretfully. He didn’t reveal any of the excitement she expected. If anything, he appeared painfully embarrassed. Not knowing what to make of his mood, she moved to the table and detailed their menu.
    â€œThere’s a problem,” Sean said with the same hesitation she’d detected earlier.
    â€œOh?” She turned back to face him.
    â€œSome of my friends already made plans, and…”
    In a heartbeat Hilary understood her folly. She should never have arranged this without checking with Sean first. She forced herself to smile. “Then go with them.”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œDon’t worry about it, Sean.” She did her best to smile reassuringly. Yes, she was disappointed, but it was her own fault.
    â€œI’d cancel, but a couple of the guys are waiting in the car for me now and…well…”
    â€œNonsense,” she said, meaning it. Gripping her hands together, standing beside the enormous Neapolitan torte, Hilary couldn’t remember feeling more foolish. “You go with your friends, and we’ll have our dinner some other night.”
    â€œIt’ll keep?”
    â€œOf course,” she lied.
    â€œEverything looks wonderful,” he said, surveying the table.
    â€œIt wasn’t the least bit of trouble,” she continued, adding one more white lie to the list. Hilary swallowed hard and prayed she could keep her smile from cracking.
    â€œThis was really sweet of you, Hil,” Sean muttered.
    Sweet. He talked to her as if she were a sixteen-year-old with a crush on him. Sweet, indeed! She might have said something, but before she had the chance, the door opened and Sean’s friend, the one with the piercing whistle, stuck his head inside.
    â€œWhat’s the holdup? You don’t want to keep Carla waiting, do you?”
    Carla, Hilary’s mind repeated. There was a limit to how much her ego could take, and it had just about reached the breaking point.
    Sean looked at her, his eyes pleading for understanding.
    â€œGo on, I insist,” she said, exhausting her energy to sound as cheerful as possible. “Don’t keep your friends waiting.”
    â€œYou’re my friend, too.”
    His words went a long way