When The Lights Went Out.... Judy Christenberry

he followed him from the room.

      It irritated Sharon, but she put more thought into her appearance the next day than she usually did.

      “He’s just a lousy man. What’s wrong with you?” she asked the image in the mirror. “One who took what he wanted and then walked away. He’s not worth any extra primping!”

      She twitched her skirt into place and turned to see how much leg she showed through the kick pleat in the back. Obviously her body wasn’t listening to her head.

      No wonder. Her dreams last night had been even more spectacular than ever. She’d been shocked—when she’d awakened. In her dream she’d been warm and welcoming, begging for his touch. “You idiot!” she snapped, then sighed.

      There was no need to worry. He wanted nothing to do with her. If he had, he would’ve found her. It had been two months. Strictly business. That’s what she had to keep in mind.

      At work, she kept her mind focused on business. Jack’s papers were in order and ready to be shown by ten o’clock. Tidying her desk, she decided she needed a coffee break, or juice break, as she had now decided. She’d read all the material the doctor had given her. One cup of coffee a day was all she should have.

      Maybe she was doing overkill, but she’d switched to hot tea at home. Juice for break. Lots of water. And she was discovering some discomfort in her normal suits. Several were a little tight around the waist.

      She thought about Jen again. She was seven months, but she’d hidden her condition until almost five months. She needed to ask her for tips, but then she’d have to tell her why. She wasn’t ready for that yet.

      She stared at the papers she’d neatly stacked there. How long would the project last? She didn’t want Jack to know about the baby. She hadn’t changed her mind about that.

      When she reached the cafeteria, her friends were all there. Julia Parker had joined Maggie, Lauren and Jen. They’d all started about the same time and had gradually formed their own little club. “Am I late?” she asked as she slipped into the last chair.

      “Of course not,” Maggie assured her. “I was just telling them about your good fortune. Sorry, I should’ve waited for you to tell them, but they were asking who the hunk was from yesterday.”

      “The hunk?” she asked, staring at them blankly.

      “Oh, come on, Sharon. In the cafeteria yesterday morning. You know, tall, dark, muscles out the wazoo, the most beautiful blue eyes,” Julia said.

      “My, you certainly took inventory,” Sharon said, trying to smile. “And you didn’t get his social security number?”

      “Do I need it? I had in mind a romantic evening, not retirement.”

      Everyone laughed, and Sharon said, “Obviously Maggie has told you his name is Jack Waterton. We were talking business, Julia, so I don’t know his social details at all.”

      “Girl, you’re going to end up an old maid if you don’t start paying attention,” Lauren assured her. “We all thought he was well worth a second look.”

      “You can have one this afternoon. He’s coming back after lunch.” She hadn’t been able to think of anything else all morning.

      “Ah, is that why you’re wearing a new suit?” Jen asked, grinning.

      “It’s not new!” Sharon hurriedly assured her. “I bought it two years ago, but then I lost some weight and it didn’t fit right. But I’m afraid I’ve put back on some pounds. Maybe it’s the fruit drink,” she said, holding up the glass of orange juice.

      “You look fine to me,” Maggie said, with a warm smile. “Is your cold going away?”

      “You have a cold?” Julia asked, frowning. “I don’t hear any signs of it. How long have you had it?”

      “Oh, I don’t, really. For a couple of days, I thought I was coming down with something. That’s all. It’s all gone away.”

      “Good, so when Mr. Waterton asks you to dinner, you won’t have to turn him down,” Jen said.