Free Chance Encounters by J. Sterling Page A

“ Neither are as stunning as you. I hope you have a great day . Happy Birthday .”
    Caroline struggled to catch her breath as Bailey careened through the door. “Jesus, that receptionist is going on and on about Clay’s roses. She won’t shut up about them. Like she’s never seen a freaking rose before.”
    She went to toss the bright yellow purse at Caroline before she noticed the pained expression on her face. “What happened during the whole minute I was gone?”
    “Nothing,” Caroline tried to lie.
    “Don’t bullshit me, or I’ll take the makeup back.” Bailey tucked the purse tightly under her arm.
    “Nothing. Really. I just sent Jackson a text and he responded.”
    Bailey held out her hand. “Gimme your phone.”
    Caroline didn’t move.
    Bailey folded her arms across her chest. “Fine, then. Read it to me.”
    Caroline grimaced before opening up the text message and reading it out loud. She watched Bailey’s expression change to disbelief with each word.
    Bailey fanned Caroline’s face with her hands in a vain attempt to get it to return to its normal color, instead of the beet red that spread over her cheeks. “You have to calm down, Care, or we’ll never get out of here. And I am NOT trying to spend the rest of my life in some old bathroom.”
    “I’m trying. I’m so sorry.” Caroline’s eyes began to fill again.
    Bailey snapped, “NO! I cannot fix your mascara again. No tears! Think of clowns, or unicorns, or something else happy!”
    Caroline placed her palms against her forehead and concentrated on breathing slowly and methodically.
    “Not to add more pressure or anything, but your situation doesn’t really seem to be getting any better.”
    “Trust me; I’ve noticed.” Caroline took another long breath to steady her pulse.
    “Seriously, Care, I’m sorta worried about you.”
    “I’m sorta worried about me too,” Caroline admitted. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
    “Your life would suck…obviously.” Bailey’s voice softened. “Are you feeling better?”
    Caroline nodded.
    “Good. But you still look like shit, just so you know.”
    Caroline eyeballed her reflection in the mirror. “No, I don’t.”
    Bailey smiled. “Nah, you don’t. Can we please get out of here now?”
    “After you,” Caroline gestured.

Chapter Nine
     
    Clay arrived home from work right on time, as promised. Regardless of what Bailey had said earlier, Caroline appreciated the fact that Clay made a big deal out of special occasions. Knowing they’d go somewhere nice for dinner, Caroline slipped into a tan fitted dress that stopped short of her knees. It had barely-there sleeves and a scoop neckline. The dress hugged her body in all the right places and accented her thin waist and gentle curves. She wore black strappy sandals that made her long legs look even longer. Her lengthy blond hair was tossed on top of her head in a sexy and attractive up-do. Random strands of blonde hung down around her face.
    Clay’s jaw dropped when he saw her. “Wow. You look amazing.” He walked over to her, took her hand in his and kissed it. “Happy birthday.” Then he cupped her face and softly kissed her on the mouth.
    She smiled; his kiss felt comfortable and familiar. “Thank you.”
    “Let me change real quick and I’ll be right out,” Clay promised, and ran toward their bedroom.
    Caroline looked into the full-length mirror one last time before she rolled her eyes at her reflection. Sometimes she simply hated getting all dressed up and eating at fancy restaurants. Everyone always seemed so stuffy and boring. She would much prefer going somewhere simple, but she’d never tell that to Clay. She knew how much he enjoyed taking her out to do expensive things. He associated expensive with nice and he always wanted to do nice things for Caroline. She appreciated his thoughtfulness, but sometimes wished he were a little more in tune with her wants.
    When she realized what she thought, she