“Well, you’re welcome, of course. I just wish it would fit you better. And I do have this cocktail party this evening…”
“Oh, you’d look like a million bucks in this,” Lisa gushes. Carolyn smiles with relief and again grasps after her present.
Lisa carefully folds the glittery garment and sets it back in the box. “I hope you bought one for yourself,” she says, setting the box next to her purse, out of Carolyn’s reach. “Who’s next? Samir?”
He steps up, smoothing Lisa’s segue. While they have little in common and virtually never see each other away from the office, Samir has had a soft spot for Pete LaMarche ever since the day two years ago a sudden blast of winter wind whipped Pete’s hair right off his head as he was hurrying down Walnut Street, and delivered it unto Samir’s cream cheese-
