Nancy let go of Andrew’s face and was about to begin explaining when....

“What did you justsay?” Nancy asked heatedly. “You mean to tell me that you knew that Andrew was trying to find something to incriminate my family and not only did you not tell me, you actually helped him?”

“I knew I wouldn’t find anything but boring old marketing papers, so I just did as he asked to please him.’’ Then Phebie’s eye’s grew dark, not from lying but from anger “But while I returned to confront my fiancé I find the hands of my ‘offended’ bestfriend feeling him up!!”

“What!!?’’ Nancy shrieked “When you told me what happened I was furious and came down here to get some answers!”

“By feeling my fiancée’s face?” Phebie pointed out. “I’d expect this from anyone else but you, of all people!”

“We had just came to an agreement, and I playfully pinched his cheeks when you walked in.” Nancy shot back. “I don’t have any interest in….him”

“It didn’t look that way to me!” Phebie gestured with her forefinger.

“LADIES!!!” Andrew yelled, finally speaking up. Both warring parties stopped, looked at him then glared at each other. “Miss Jackson-” Andrew addressed her. “Miss Parker here came in, filled with rage that I had asked you to search her father’s office” He momentarily looked at Nancy.

“She explained to me the awkward condition I had put you in and I apologize for that” he solemnly took her hand, bowed over it and then kissed it as a gesture of apology.

“Don’t give me that crap!” Phebs plucked her hand from his “Did you think an apology would make everything better? I walk in here and find the two of you alone sipping wine after I supposedly thought my friendship with Nancy is over and you expect me to smile and act like everything’s dandy!?”

Both Nancy and Andrew had shocked looks on their faces. Their intention had been purely innocent but Phebie had managed to twist it in a matter of seconds, making it seem as if they planned everything right down to the last minute.

“Well, even if there is something between you two......I DON’T CARE! I don’t need your wealth Andrew or your friendship Nancy.” Tears were forming in Phebie’s eyes. “I’ve always had to work alone because in life you can’t rely on anyone but yourself! So thanks for the offer Andrew, but no thanks. I’d rather grow into an old woman with 20 cats then live in a hate filled marriage.”

Andrew had walked over to his desk, shaking his head while trying to ignore what Phebie was saying when his head snapped up. “Hate!?”

“Yeah, hate” Phebie said as easily as if she’d just ordered cake at a bakery. “I hate you...or I will anyway, seeing as I don’t like you and I can’t stand you”

Andrew had a look of utter confusion. “But I’m rich-’’

“I don’t care if your wallet has more money in it then The World Bank!” Phebie spat at him. “I’m only marrying you to find a way to better help my family.”

The tears had decanted out over her lashes but hadn’t reached her cheeks. “You’re arrogant! Annoying! And such a control freak that I seriously wonder for your children. What kind of woman would ever want to be with you?

Phebie spun round and stormed out of the office, taking a raging storm cloud with her. The office fell into a graveyard like silence, a pin could’ve been heard dropping. Andrew still stood stunned, looking at the spot where Phebie had deserted. Nancy quietly placed her glass tumbler, wine glass half empty, back on the cabinet and inaudibly departed the office.

Outside, in the busy San Antonio street, the people continued to rush by unaware of the events that had taken place. The time on Nancy’s watch read just after 10. She looked around to see any signs of Phebie, she saw her just around a sharp bend looking at her then quickly turned to run away.

Nancy didn’t bother to follow because not only would Phebs be impossible to find in this crowd, but also Nancy was pissed off at Pheb’s comment at her having an affair with Andrew.....Andrew! Of all people! She’d only met the darn guy twice, and only exchanged words during one!

“Who needs ye” Nancy muttered to the wind, got back in her mom’s car and sulked all the way home.