Free Circles the Trilogy (Secrets and Lies) by Carla Buchanan Page B

sure that whatever she is about to say is going to be a lie.
    “Um… I need to pick up something. It’ll only take a few minutes. Then we can decide where to go for lunch.”
    “Aneesa Renee Johnson, don’t you dare lie to me. Your face looks like a tomato so I know you’re lying. What have you done? I knew you were full of it when you said I needed to look nice because we were going to lunch after my appointment. I should’ve known something was up when you told me to wear this skirt and tank top. I only agreed because my jersey pencil skirt is easily removed.” Then I realize my faux pas in word choice. Neesa bursts out laughing. “You know what I mean! Get your mind out of the gutter. I was talking about removing my clothes at the doctor.”
    “Uh… that ‘easily removed’ feature could still come in handy,” she says still laughing. She pulls into the parking garage and flashes her card so the gate will open. I know it’s too late to turn back now. I pull down the mirror and check my lipstick. If I have to see him then I may as well make a good impression.
    I feel exposed as I look at my reflection in the elevator’s mirror. I’m wearing a white spag hetti strapped blouson tank, a green pencil skirt in a jersey material, and a pair of cork wedges. The outfit is quite comfortable since the material is very soft, but it prominently displays all of my “assets”. I must’ve been really out of it this morning if I allowed Neesa to talk me into wearing this especially when I would’ve had to go to Daryn’s office if the tests would’ve come back positive. I guess I wanted to wear something that made me feel good. I guess I would’ve gone back to the apartment and changed if it had been necessary, but my subconscious didn’t want that to be necessary. Anyway, I dress this way on the rare occasion I’m out with Neesa. She hates for me to wear my conservative wrap dresses and cardigans, saying that people will mistake me for her mother if I’m dressed like that.
    After a few minutes of silence, I have to ask. “Whose idea was this? I mean how did he know I would be with you?”
    “I was supposed to be in a meeting first thing this morning. If we plan to miss a meeting, he requests that we call his office directly and let his assistant know. He doesn’t like to wait on people and if he knows we’re not coming then he won’t be waiting and looking for us to show up. Anyway… I talked to his assistant. I told her that I was taking a friend to an emergency doctor’s appointment. I guess he assumed it was you. He called me shortly after and asked me if you were okay. When I told him that it was nothing too serious, he told me to bring you by once we were done.” My mouth drops open. She knew what I was thinking. “I know what you’re thinking and the answer is no. I wouldn’t do that. It’s none of his business why you were at the doctor unless you feel the need to tell him. Now… let me look at you. You have a lunch date in his office. I told him to order the steak and shrimp hibachi meal from your favorite Chinese place.”
    Lunch date? “Shit, Neesa. Just this morning I thought I was pregnant with Daryn’s child, now you have me on a surprise lunch date with Quinton Ramsey! Shit, shit, shit.” My mouth has gone dry and my legs feel like Jell-O. Then something comes to mind as we enter Neesa’s office. “What would you have done if I had found out that I was pregnant? I would’ve had to go to Daryn’s office.”
    “We still had planned to do lunch, right? I never intended to be eating lunch with you. It would’ve waited for you at Daryn’s office, but I still would’ve brought you here. Hell, Sasha. I’m not telling you to sleep with the man. But he could be a good friend. You deserve to see what it’s like to have a taste of something that you want.” I nod. My emotions are all out of whack today and my friend is about to make me cry. She wants to see me happy so badly so I