Save the Date Read Free

to the point, and didn’t waste time. Twenty minutes later, I’d been hired as the temporary receptionist.
    “Gina tells me you’re roommates.” Ginger Nielsen, the gal who’d been promoted, was training me for her old position. She pulled her long, dark hair over one shoulder, and twisted it automatically, as if out of habit. “She also says you’re a marriage and family counselor.”
    I felt a pang in my gut. “In a former life.”
    “Hmm.” Her forehead crinkled. “Do you think it’s true that women choose men who’re like their fathers? Because my dad’s a raging alcoholic.”
    “The danger is that being around a guy with similar qualities to your father will automatically feel natural, so you’ll have to be careful not to . . .” I stopped and closed my mouth. “I’m sorry, but, to tell you the truth, I am the wrong person to ask. My last boyfriend turned out to be married. So, what do I know?”
    Her mouth dropped open. “What a scumbag. How’d you catch him?”
    Surprised, I blinked. “I inadvertently saw him with his wife, but you’re missing the point. He and I were seeing each other for eight months and I didn’t have a clue that he’d been lying to me.”
    She shook her head, and raised her brows. “You must’ve been devastated.”
    “Yes.” I’d bawled my eyes out for few weeks, sure. “More importantly, though, I misevaluated him.”
    “Well, if he’d been wearing a wedding ring, obviously you wouldn’t have gone out with him.” Her forehead wrinkled. “I’m no therapist, but you shouldn’t blame yourself.”
    Cringing, I shook my head. “I don’t. His actions are his responsibility.”
    “Right. But it sounds like you feel at fault for not catching him sooner.”
    The girl was annoyingly astute. “Aren’t you supposed to be training me on the phones?”
    My words may have been confrontational, but I needed her to stop. Obviously, I shouldn’t blame myself for not catching him sooner. But I did.
    She put a hand to her chest. “I’m sorry. It’s none of my business.”
    Uh, no. “It’s fine. Let’s just stick to work. Okay?”
    “Not a problem.” Ginger spent the next half hour showing me the employee directory, how to use the interoffice email, and the way to transfer calls. It wasn’t exactly brain surgery, or like scoring the Roscharch test.
    The first call I made after Ginger left was to Gina. It rang twice before she answered. “Gina Hall. May I help you?”
    “Why, yes, actually.” My voice was tight. “You can stop telling people I’m a counselor.”
    “Kristen, hey.” If she was bothered by my tone, she didn’t sound like it. “How’s the front desk treating you?”
    “Fine, until Ginger asked me if her bad dating choices might pertain to her alcoholic father.” I lowered my voice as a guy entered the lobby from the door behind the reception desk, nodded a greeting at me, then exited out the front door. “Why would you tell her, Gina?”
    “Because,” she said, in an exasperated tone. “Her medical benefits bite. She can’t afford the out-of-pocket expense for counseling, and you’re just sitting there, using all your training and experience to transfer phone calls.”
    “That’s my choice.”
    “You should’ve heard about her last boyfriend.” Gina’s voice lowered, even though she had her own office, and I doubted anyone was in there. “Total drunk, and he was mean to her.”
    My heart tugged, and I rubbed my forehead. Then, the phone started ringing, so I sighed. “I have to go.”
    I switched calls and spoke into my earpiece. “Woodward Systems Corporation. How may I direct your call?”
    “It’s Rach. We still on for lunch?” Her voice sounded panicked. “I’ve got to talk to you.”
    Wondering what had her on edge, I said, “Sure. What’s wrong?”
    “Can’t say right now.” She’d slipped to a hushed tone. “I’m in my cubicle. No privacy. I’ll be down in an hour.”
    “Okay.” I hung up the phone,