A/N's: Thanks go out to Sharnhorst and Dani64 for reviewing this little fic. Also to Dani thanks so much for the kind words about the rest of my fics. I only hope to you do get the chance to read them all. To Sharnhorst I've decided to give a shot out to in this fic. Just look for the name Sharni! ;)
Chapter 2
Dee, an air of cool confidence belying her true feelings, swept into The Imperial Garden restaurant on the fatherly arm of a jovial Mark Calloway, the general manager of radio station X140. On Mark's other arm, his wife, Sharni Calloway, was as happy as he to have Dee Thompson back.
The laughing, chattering trio was escorted through the main room of the busy east Denver eatery and up a half flight of stairs into the cheerful garden court.
"Honey, you slide in there." Mark took Dee's elbow. "I'll sit here by the Misses, and when Dwayne arrives, he'll keep you company."
"That'll be fine," Dee said pleasantly, her stomach jerking at the mere thought of Dwayne beside her.
"Dee, I swear you're prettier than ever." Sharni Calloway was beaming at her. "I'll bet when Dwayne sees you tonight, that permanent scowl he's worn lately will disappear."
Mark Calloway shot his wife a sidelong, silencing look.
"Pay Sharni no mind, Dee," Mark said. "You know how she is about Dwayne. Lord, you'd think she'd borne him."
"Is Dwayne very unhappy about my coming back?"
"Why, Dee, how could you think such a thing? You-"
Sharni interrupted. "Dee, you know I always speak my mind. Dwayne wasn't too thrilled when Mark told him you'd be coming back to be his morning-show partner. In fact, he said-"
"Damn it, Sharni, who runs the station, me or you?" Mark summoned a waiter, and looked relieved when he hurried to take their drink order. "Dee, what will you have?"
"Just a glass of white wine," Dee managed weakly. Why should Sharni's revelation about Dwayne's reaction be shocking? She'd hardly expected him to be overjoyed.
Dee gritted her teeth. She could take what he dished out. She was no longer a nineteen-year-old kid to be bossed around by him. He'd controlled her almost from the moment he gave her the much-coveted job as his partner on the morning show. She'd been only seventeen years old then. She'd sent in an audition tape just like all the other hopefuls, and, impressed by what he'd heard, Dwayne had called and asked her to come in for an interview. She could still recall the startled look on his handsome face when she shyly entered his office.
"Well, will you come, Dee?" Sharni Calloway's voice pulled Dee back to the present.
"I...I'm sorry, Sharni. What did you say?"
"Are you all right, Dee? You seem a million miles away." Sharni stared at her.
"I'm just fine, really," Dee apologized.
"I just suggested that you come out to the house on Sunday. We could charcoal some steaks and swim in the pool."
"For goodness' sakes, Sharni, she just got off the plane," Mark intervened. "Give her a chance, will you? I wonder what's keeping Dwayne. I'm starving and I'll bet you are, too, Dee."
Feeling as though she never wanted to eat again, Dee said, "A little, yes."
"Mr. Calloway." The manager of the restaurant stepped up to the banquette. Sorry to disturb you." He nodded graciously to the ladies. "You've a telephone call."
When Mark returned, looking embarrassed, he said, "That was Dwayne on the phone. He can't make it this evening. He's terribly sorry, but it seems..."
Dee never heard the rest of the explanation. This was going to be harder than she thought.