Free Teacup Novellas 01 - Tea With Emma by Diane Moody Page B

can’t see Brad right now. I’m a wreck!”
    Lanie blew her nose, causing Maddie to distance the tiny cell phone from her ear. “No! You have to go! Lanie, Brad is probably already there waiting for you. And besides, if Jeff is such a wimp that a little thing like coffee with a friend upsets him, do you really want a relationship with someone like that? Of course not. Now, go wash your face, get in your car and get over to Starbucks. Go!”
    Maddie turned off her phone, slipping it back in her pocket. “Oh Lord, what am I going to do with these people? If they’d just listen to me—to You, I mean.”
     

     
    “Lanie! I was beginning to worry I’d misunderstood when we were to meet. Hey, are you okay?” Brad stood, pulling the bistro chair out for her.
    She took a seat, avoiding his eyes. “Um, sure. I just, I think maybe I have a little cold coming on or something. Or maybe allergies. I must look awful.”
    “Not at all. I was just about to order a cappuccino. Would you like one?”
    “Sure. Whatever you’re having is fine with me.”
    Brad placed their order at the counter, smiling back at her a couple of times while waiting for the barista to make their drinks. Lanie used the time to sneak a peek in her compact, applying a dab of powder beneath her eyes to hide the redness. Brad returned a few minutes later, setting their drinks on the table.
    “Thank you." She popped the lid off her grande cup. "It smells wonderful.”
    “It’ll probably keep us up all night, but who cares, right?”
    Lanie tried to laugh. “Right. Who cares?”
    Brad took a sip, then wiped the whipped cream from his upper lip with a napkin. “So what is it you wanted to talk to me about?”
    Lanie looked into his sable brown eyes, studied his broad smile and strong jaw line, and wondered what he must think of her. He was strikingly handsome. He’s probably Mr. October on some calendar of hunky Texas construction guys. What’s he doing here with someone like me? Maddie, why did you put me up to this?
    “Lanie?”
    “Oh, sorry. Um, well—wait, didn’t you say you had something to ask me too? You go first. I insist.” Good thinking. Buy some time.
    “All right, if that’s your preference. See, the thing is, I’ve been working for your friend Maddie now for almost two months. And I’ve noticed, no matter what time of day or night I’m there, she never seems to have—well, what I mean is—is Maddie seeing anyone?”
    “What?” Lanie blinked.
    “Is Maddie dating anyone right now? Because if she’s not, I was thinking about asking her out.”
    “Maddie? You want to ask Maddie out?”
    His smile vanished. “Why? Is there something wrong with that? Is she married or something?”
    “No! Maddie’s not married!” Lanie heard the harsh response leave her lips. Deep breath. Think. Think! He’s not interested in me. He likes Maddie. How could I have been so blind?
    “So . . . is there some reason I shouldn’t ask her out? Do you think she’d go if I did?”
    Lanie stared at him. Same beautiful brown eyes. Same masculine jaw line. Same kind smile. What an idiot I am. To even think he might go for the plain and simple. Oh no! Someone with looks like his? Of course he’d fall for someone beautiful. I’m such an idiot!
    Lanie stood up, grabbing her purse from the table. She forced a smile. “Yes, Brad. I think Maddie would love to go out with you. In a heartbeat! But I just remembered I, uh, I left a candle burning in my apartment. Don’t want to burn down the building.” She swallowed a sob. “Thank you for the cappuccino. Really.” She dashed for the door, biting her lip to hold back the dam inside.
    “But Lanie, wait! What did you want to talk to me about?”
     

     
    “He WHAT?!”
    Maddie jumped to her feet. Lanie’s words slammed into her like a freight train. “You can’t be serious! He asked you about me ? Oh no, no! This is all wrong!”
    Lanie collapsed on the sofa, burying her face in her hands.