Ripped at the Seams by Nancy Krulik Page A

to do. And I want to see if Ted can meet with me today to look at some of those designs you showed me last night.”
    Ooo, I wish you hadn’t told me that,” Sami replied. “Now IÙ be nervous all day.”
    â€œYou have nothing to be nervous about,” Bruce assured her. “Not as long as I’m in your corner.”
    But Sami couldn’t help but be nervous as the day went on. Each time Ted Fromme walked past her desk, she waited anxiously for him to say something to her about her designs. When he didn’t mention them, Sami was left to analyze his moods as he walked through the reception area. Did that smile mean he liked her sketches, or was he just being friendly? Or, why did he seem so distracted as he walked out the door to his lunch meeting? Was he deliberately avoiding her eyes because he didn’t want to tell her he didn’t like her work? The suspense was killing her.
    Then, at the very end of the day, just as he was leaving the office for the night, Ted Fromme stopped at Sami’s desk—something he rarely did. Sami’s heart began to beat so quickly, she was certain it would pop out of her chest any second. “Hi, Ted!” she greeted him, her voice cracking ever so slightly.
    â€œYou’re here awfully late,” Ted remarked in his slow, Southern drawl.
    â€œWell, I have a few more things to do before I leave,” Sami lied. Actually she was waiting for Bruce, but she knew she had to heed his warning about keeping their relationship under wraps.
    â€œWell, don’t work too hard,” Ted said. “This city’s full of adventure. You should go get yourself some.”
    And that was it. He turned and left the office. With absolutely no mention of Sami’s designs. Her heart fell. Did that mean he didn’t like them? Or that Bruce hadn’t gotten a chance to show them to him? For a moment, Sami thought about running over to Bruce’s cubicle and asking him what had happened in his meeting with Ted. But she thought better of it. Bruce was doing her afavor, after all. She didn’t want to bug him about it. Besides, Bruce knew how important this was to her. If he had anything to tell her, he surely would.
    Sami sat at her desk working until everyone had gone. Everyone except Bruce, anyway. When seven o’clock rolled around, he was still in his cubicle, hunched over his laptop. Sami picked up her phone and dialed his extension.
    â€œHello,” he answered in the professional tone he reserved for the office.
    â€œMr. Jamison, I believe your dinner date is waiting for you in the reception area,” Sami said playfully.
    â€œReally?” Bruce’s voice changed as he teased. “Listen, um, this is sort of a blind date. Can you tell me what she’s like?”
    Sami giggled slightly, and then decided to play along. “Oh, she’s incredibly smart. And positively gorgeous,” she told him. “In fact, if I didn’t know better, I’d say she was a model.”
    â€œOh, heaven forbid,” Bruce said, laughing. “Models aren’t my type at all. Listen, how about if I stand up this mystery woman and take you to dinner instead?”
    â€œJust give me ten minutes to freshen up,” Sami agreed.
    â€œGreat. I’ll finish up here and meet you at the elevator.”
    La Comida was even more beautiful than Sami had read in the newspapers and magazines. From the moment you stepped inside you felt as though you had taken a trip in time back to old Spain. The scents of exotic spices filled the air. Each table was decorated with a hand-embroidered tablecloth topped with small white floating candles and fresh Spanish roses. Latin music played discreetly from hidden speakers, adding to the ambience without being obtrusive.
    The clientele was impressive as well. Ever since La Comida had been crowned the new hot spot, all sorts of young celebrities and pseudo celebrities had been making the