"Speak of the devil!" Peggy's voice rang out nearby. When Janet turned, it seemed the newcomers had already spotted them. Manfred and August approached, flanked by their usual two shadows. Janet's mind flashed back to the kiss in the company parking lot, and when she looked at Manfred, her eyes darkened with unease.
"Janet, didn't expect to see you here—what a coincidence!" August sat down beside her, while Manfred took the seat opposite. Being sandwiched between the two men made Janet's breath come in cautious, shallow bursts.
"Peggy, darling, you don't mind sitting with Manfred, do you?" Manfred's ease and lack of formality surprised Janet. She knew he was close with Peggy, but what was she—just the third wheel?
She hadn't forgotten Charles's warning: keep your distance from both August and Manfred.
Clearly, there was some secret between those two she wasn't privy to. But she stood firmly on Charles's side; she wouldn't let him misunderstand anything else.
