Jennifer went back to her desk and discreetly exchanged a flurry of text messages with either her husband, the babysitter, or both. She didn't look up and ask Bryce out on behalf of her friend for nearly an hour.
"My colleague Maura and I want to take you to dinner," she said flatly. "Are you available?"
He couldn't quite decipher the look on her face but there was something brewing under the surface indicating she really, really didn't want to do this. It was more than a little insulting to be asked to do someone a favor in such a way.
He was tempted to say no before hesitating. Maura seemed friendly; she might be his ticket in for a somewhat decent experience here in Michigan. Things always went better when he was on good terms with at least one person in the office and it certainly wasn't going to be Jennifer at this rate.