Monday morning, Charlene had just reached the lobby of her office building when


    she nearly bumped into Gaylord, who was arriving for work as well.


    Gaylord greeted her with a smile. "Morning."


    "Morning," Charlene replied.


    No sooner had she spoken than she spotted York across the lobby.


    Seeing him, Charlene slowed her steps for a moment.


    Gaylord noticed York too, and a frown creased his face.


    York, seemingly unconcerned with Gaylord, walked directly toward Charlene. "I


    got back early yesterday morning. It''s been a while since we''ve seen each other,


    so I wanted to stop by and say hello."


    He really did just want to see her-nothing more.


    Sensing her distance and not wanting to make things awkward or have her grow


    annoyed with him, York added quickly, "You look busy. Don''t mind me. I''ll be on


    my way in a minute."


    Charlene had said everything there was to say to York. Now that he''d shown up


    out of the blue, she honestly didn''t know what to say anymore.


    So when he gave her an out, she took it. She nodded briefly, then turned and


    headed for the stairs.


    Gaylord shot York a nce, then hurried to catch up with Charlene.


    York watched her retreating figure for a long moment before turning and heading


    back to his car.


    Inside his car sat a bouquet of flowers. He''d intended to give them to Charlene,


    but seeing how things were, he realized that if he actually handed them over,


    she''d probably start avoiding him altogether.


    The thought drew a self-deprecating smile from York''s lips.


    Upstairs, Gaylord pressed the elevator button, joining Charlene inside.


    Noticing him watching her in silence, Charlene looked up. "What''s on your mind?"


    "Nothing," Gaylord replied, shaking his head.


    But after a pause, he couldn''t help himself. "Does Mr. Watson ask to meet you


    often?"


    "No," Charlene said simply.


    York''s job was unusual-he didn''t get many days off, so even if he wanted to see


    her, he rarely had the time.


    Charlene''s attitude toward York had


    been clear enough just now; Gaylord


    actually felt relieved. Still, he couldn''t


    help worrying-if York ever grew


    more persistent, would Charlene


    eventually give in?


    That thought led him to remember Granger.


    As far as he knew, Granger liked Charlene too. But Granger hadn''t shown up for


    quite some time, and, like Gaylord, he''d never really made a move.


    Why was that?


    Had he given up?


    Lost in thought, Gaylord nced at Charlene, hesitated, and finally asked, "I''m


    just a little curious..."


    "Hm?" Charlene prompted.


    "York''s got a lot going for him, but you don''t seem interested. Why is that?"


    Gaylord wanted to know if there was


    something about York that put her


    off-or if there was some red g


    about rtionships or marriage he


    should be aware of. If so, he''d want


    to be careful not to make the same


    mistake himself.


    Charlene had never thought of


    Gaylord as someone who pried into


    other people''s business. It was the


    first time he''d ever asked something


    so personal, but she didn''t mind. "I''m


    not officially divorced yet. How could


    I consider anyone else? Besides, I''m


    just not interested in Mr. Watson."


    Gaylord blinked, taken aback. All this time, he''d assumed Charlene was already


    divorced. "You... you''re not?"


    She shook her head. "Not yet."


    Just as she finished speaking, the elevator doors slid open.


    Charlene stepped out and headed back to her office, ready to get to work.


    Gaylord stared after her, his mind nk for a moment.


    As he watched her go, a new thought struck him: Maybe Granger hadn''t pursued


    Charlene because he knew she wasn''t officially divorced, not because he''d given


    up.


    Or... maybe Granger knew Charlene''s husband?