Free Secret Admirer by Gail Sattler

the day, Shannon hadn’t completed all she’d wanted to do to meet her payroll deadline for the next day. Rather than leave it for the last minute, she took advantage of the quiet office to work undisturbed.
    Twenty minutes after everyone else left, Todd emerged from the dispatch room at a slow pace, the wear and tear of a stress-filled day apparent on his face and in his posture.
    She couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.
    â€œHey, Todd. How did things go in there?”
    â€œOkay, I guess, but I can’t remember ever being so tired.” He turned and looked at Faye’s empty desk. He pulled her chair out and sank down into it. “Since it’s just you and me here, do you mind if I talk to you about something?”
    Shannon had a feeling she knew what he was going to say. She’d seen Faye going in and out of the dispatch office a number of times, sometimes with Todd’s coffee mug in her hand; other times, Faye was empty-handed. Shannon didn’t mind helping him out or giving him a bit of womanly perspective, but she didn’t want to do it in the middle of the office. Even though the other regular day staff had left, Gary was still in his office and could appear at any time. Also, not all the drivers were in, and the afternoon-shift warehouse staff members were just beginning their day. Any one of them could walk in at any time, and often did, once they realized she was still there.
    Shannon stood. “I have a better idea. You look so tired. Let’s go to my place. I just happen to have a great lasagna left over in the fridge from yesterday. All I have to do is heat it up and make a salad, and we’ll have a ready-made dinner. We can talk then, without any worry about being disturbed.”
    â€œYou’re inviting me over to your place? And you’re also going to feed me?”
    â€œI guess. I just thought it would be a better place to talk.”
    â€œThat sounds great. I appreciate it.”
    â€œI only have to finish what I’m doing.”
    Todd lounged in Faye’s chair until Shannon was ready, then followed her out and into the parking lot. Shannon unlocked her car door but didn’t get in. Instead, she stood watching Todd, who was standing beside his car and pressing his hands to every pocket in his jacket, jeans, then shirt.
    â€œI don’t believe this,” he called out. “I must have forgotten my car keys in the office. I’ll be right back, unless Gary sees me. Don’t leave without me, because I’ve never been to your place before. I’m not exactly sure where it is.”
    â€œNo problem.”
    As Todd jogged back into the building, Shannon had time to think about what she’d just done.
    Surely, she was losing her mind. She’d just invited Todd Sanders to her apartment. The apartment she moved into so she could get away from him.
    That she felt sorry for him further confirmed she was losing her mind. She justified it by telling herself she was doing it to talk to him for Faye’s benefit and was making the sacrifice for a friend.
    Todd was back within minutes, and she was soon on her way, with him following. She pointed him to the visitor parking area, then entered the residents’ underground parking area. She was about to push the button in the elevator when she realized she’d left Todd outside. Not only did he not have a key to get in, but he didn’t know which was her apartment, although he certainly could find it from the listing by the door.
    Instead of hitting the button for the fifth floor, Shannon rode the elevator to the lobby, where she walked to the main door to let Todd in, then took him to her apartment.
    â€œThis seems like a nice place. You like living here?”
    â€œYes. For an apartment, it’s pretty peaceful.”
    Having known him for years, she was comfortable with Todd’s help in getting their dinner together. They only chatted about inconsequential