Chapter Eight

The exterior of the twelve story building housing Bass Industries hadn't changed, but Blair's feelings about entering the building had undergone a drastic transition. The joy and anticipation she'd once experienced when meeting Chuck at work had turned to trepidation. Entering those doors meant entering a web of deception.

She neared the doors and her muscles tensed. Trendy restaurants and retail shops occupied the first floor. In the pass Bass Industries had occupied the second through tenth floors, and the top two floors had contained a penthouse suite with a roof garden. Who lived there now?

Blair entered the building and made her way to the elevators. A dark haired mescal man about her age held the doors open for her. Blair stepped in to the cubicle. "Ten, please."

He nodded and pushed the button. "Are you a client?"

"No." She hesitated, unsure who this guy was or what Chuck had told his coworkers and clients about her. But Chuck had said to make the marriage look real. "I'm Blair Bass, Charles's wife."

If her response surprised him, his gray eyes didn't show it. "Gavin Spencer. I'm an ad exec for Bass Industries. Mr. Bass is a nice guy."

'Yes. He is." She shook the hand he extended. "It's nice to meet you, Gavin."

The elevator shot up, then the doors opened. Gavin motioned for her to precede him. "Nice meeting you. Mrs. Bass."

She stepped out. A slim women with short brown hair sat behind the reception desk directly ahead of Blair. Swallowing the nervous lump in her throat, Blair scanned the area while she waited for the receptionist to end her phone call.

In the waiting room white sofas faced two monstrously large flat-panel TV's streaming advertisements. The stark white walls and acrylic tables combined with the black oak floors gave the place a contemporary edge. The other walls held extremely colorful modern paintings, some new to Blair, some not.

"May I help you?" the receptionist asked in a cheerfully chipper voice.

"I'm Blair Bass. I'm here to see Charles."

The women's eyes widened. "I'm Joan, Mrs. Bass, Mr. Bass told me to expect you. It's great to finally meet you."

"Thank you. You too, Joan. Should I head back or is he with someone?"

"He doesn't have an appointment, but I'll call and let him know you've arrived."

Before she could dial, an attractive auburn - haired pregnant women approached from the office section. The receptionist perked up. "Lauren, this is Mrs. Bass," she blurted as if she couldn't contain the news.

Smiling, the newcomer stopped. "Hello, Mrs. Bass"

"Please call me Blair"

"Well, hello Blair, I'm Lauren, Jason's wife."

Blair scanned her memory and came up empty. "Jason? I'm sorry you'll have to forgive me I haven't been in her in…a long time. I've been busy with my company. So I'm a little out of the loop."

"Jason in a VP. We'll have to get together sometime and do lunch."

Lauren seemed warm and friendly and Blair could use a few friends in the area. She had no intention of repeating her past mistakes of isolating herself. Also , an insider could give her an idea of what Chuck's life was like now. "I 'd like that."

"Good. How can I reach you?"

Blair dug into her purse for a business card and passed it over. "I look forward to your call."

Lauren ducked into the open elevator and the doors closed. The receptionist seemed to be hanging on their every word and then startled as if she's suddenly remembered she was supposed to be calling Chuck. "I'll let Mr. Bass know you've arrived."

"Don't bother. I'll just go back." Blair's heels tapped on the wood floors as she made her way to the east corner office as she'd done as many times before.

This time her pulse raced with nervousness instead of excitement. If Chuck had changed offices, this would be embarrassing.

The chair behind his PA's desk was empty, but Joan's name plate on the desk told her at least Chuck's assistant hadn't changed. Joan had been with him since his first day at Bass Industries and Blair had always liked her.

Chuck's door stood open. But Chuck wasn't alone. A women with long red hair had her arms around his neck.

Shock stopped Blair in the outer office. She struggled to inhale, but her tight chest resisted.

You're not jealous. Oh, yes, you are.

And that did not bode well for her mental health or temporary nature of this assignment.