Cameron, Paige - The Billionaire Rancher Buys a Wife [Wives for the Western Billionaires 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) by Paige Cameron

appetizers. She needed to eat when she drank, and the others looked like they might enjoy some food. Several of them cheered when she ordered nachos and a variety platter.
    Janice studied the group while she waited for her drink. Most were younger than her, and new to the office. She was seldom included when they went in groups to lunch or planned outings such as dinner. Her father, having been one of the original partners and now a judge, put her in a different position in their minds.
    Even their conversation dated her. She’d spent the years since graduation solidifying her position at the firm. Her promotions had come from hard work, not from her name. But she doubted they believed that. A band had started to play and the volume of noise between people talking and the music pounded against her eardrums.
    “How’s your firm to work for?” one of the junior associates asked the man sitting next to the woman on Janice’s right. Janice hadn’t gotten a good look at him. She bent forward to see him and hear his answer. She knew him. He’d worked at her firm when she first came out of school. He’d left about six months later. What was his name? She listened as he described his benefits and said he was much happier where he’d gone.
    Clyde . The name jumped into her mind. He’d asked her out once, but she’d just become engaged.
    He conversed with the ones on the other side of the table. When he turned his head and his eyes met hers, she realized she’d been staring at him. Did he frown at her? If so, he covered it quickly with a smile.
    “Janice, do you remember me?” he asked.
    “I do, Clyde . It’s been a long time. I’m glad to hear you’re happy at your job.”
    He shrugged. “There didn’t seem to be much chance of promotion in your firm. They went to the favored few.”
    Someone gasped. He smiled, but it was more a sneer. “Forgive me. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. I’m sure all your promotions were well deserved.”
    Their waitress arrived with the drinks and food. Janice decided to let his remark go unchallenged. She raised her glass to him. “No offense taken. Good luck in your career.”
    “Hear, hear,” someone shouted, and they all raised their glasses. Soon laughter flowed around the group again.
    Janice drank her drink, ate a few of the appetizers, and pretended to enjoy herself. Clyde finished his drink and asked the woman beside him and her to move so he could go.
    “Time to get home. I’ll see you guys around.”
    The group shouted good-bye. Janice watched him on his way out. At the door, he looked back and caught her staring again. He laughed, waved, and disappeared out the door.
    She waited for another twenty minutes and finally managed to break loose from the ones who wanted to continue on to another place. “Not me,” she said. “I’ll see you tomorrow in the office. It’s been fun.” Liar, she couldn’t wait to get out of the noise and fake laughter. Two of the women at the table had much too much to drink, and things appeared to be heading downhill.
    Cool night air greeted her when she got through the crowd and outside. Few people were around and her uneasiness came back on the way to her car. Walking back in the dark, alone, wasn’t such a great idea. She reached in her purse for her small pepper spray bottle. Her hand searched and finally connected with the vial. Feeling more confident with it snug in her hand, she stepped into the garage. Lights were lit at intervals, but still left corners full of shadows. She shivered.
    When the elevator door opened it was empty. She hurried on and pushed the button for level three. Her heart began to beat faster. Silly, I’m scaring myself. The button dinged and the door slid open. She’d parked in the third row about halfway down. Her heels clicked loud on the concrete floor. She saw no one and heard no cars coming or going. There was her car, at last.
    She moved faster toward the driver’s door, put in her key,