That Kind of Girl (Fillmore & Greenwich Book 2) (23 page)

Dana said goodbye to the women as they straggled out of the yoga studio, but her mind was on Scott and the possible deal he'd said he'd try to offer her.

Okay, mostly her thoughts were on Scott. Scott and his glasses. Scott and his firm body. Scott and the way he'd kissed her.

Which had been more intoxicating than the cocktail, and addictive enough that she wanted more.

She had an appointment to see him, and she couldn't wait. She'd emailed Kevin about it and said she wanted to discuss it, but they hadn't connected yet. She wasn't worried though. She had a great feeling.

It was about time.

Not even the fact that no one had nibbled on the résumés she'd sent out was fazing her. Things were looking up—she could feel it.

Another group of ladies came out. They were all chatting amicably, obviously about something that excited them all.

Aaron trailed behind them, smiling when he saw her. "Dana."

She waved, noticing the two women he'd been talking to. One had streaks of purple in her hair and looked down to earth and kind. The other one came in occasionally and was always wearing the trendiest in yoga clothes.

"This is Annabelle Warren," Aaron said, gesturing to the trendy one as they all came up to the front desk. "She owns Yoga Belle Fashion."

The women's athletic clothing company. It all clicked, and Dana nodded at the woman. "No wonder you look so put together. I just look tortured when I take Aaron's class."

Annabelle laughed. "That's something my sister, Ariana, and you have in common then."

The one with the purple streaks poked Annabelle. "I told Mom we should have thrown you back when you were born."

"Your life would be so boring without me." Annabelle grinned at her sister and then faced Dana, her gaze direct. "Aaron says you've been running his social media."

She blinked at Aaron, who just stood there looking at her encouragingly. "Running it is an overstatement."

"It's not," he contradicted. "Dana set everything up and ran some sort of special to attract new clients."

"I love what you've done with it all," Annabelle said. "Is it what you do normally?"

"I was in ad sales, primarily." The shame of being fired—and the anger—flared up. For a second she couldn't find the words she wanted to use, but then she managed to say, "But social media was an aspect of it. I'm trying to figure out what I want to do next."

"Are you thinking of starting your own company?"

"Maybe." Since she hadn't gotten her bonus, though, she wasn't sure she could afford to.

Annabelle nodded. "I'd—"

"Are we having a party?" one of the other regulars said as she sauntered up to them. Dana knew her to be the sultry owner of the wine shop across the street.

"How could we without you, Bronwyn?" Ariana said. "You always bring the wine."

"True." The woman angled herself in front of Aaron and cut him off from the rest of them, making him back up step by step. "You haven't been over in a long time to have wine with me."

Aaron's reply was muffled. Dana, Ariana, and Annabelle all exchanged a knowing glance.

Then Dana shrugged and said softly. "I blame Aaron and the fact that he doesn't cover up his nipples. It's very provocative. She probably can't help herself."

The two sisters burst out laughing. "We should take out a pasty fund for him," Ariana said, laughing anew.

Annabelle lit up. "Maybe that's my next line, an assortment of pasties to wear while you work out."

"I'm sure Dad would invest in that line."

The sisters broke out laughing again.

Then Annabelle faced her, her expression all business. "I'd like to chat with you sometime."

Dana blinked. "Okay," she agreed, even though she wasn't sure what that meant.

"Good. I'll be in touch." Smiling, Annabelle followed her sister out of the yoga studio.

Dana watched them, a smile on her face despite the vague sadness she felt at being left out. She didn't have that sort of close womanly tie. She'd have loved someone to talk with about Kevin, her bonus, and even Scott.

She blinked. She did have someone. She had Beth.

Not wanting to break the studio rules, instead of looking up Beth's contact information, she searched Facebook for her. It wasn't easy, but she finally found her. She started to type an instant message but she stopped.

What was the point? She couldn't afford to go out, and she had nothing to offer except bitching about her own problems.

She closed the window and slumped behind the counter. Maybe a miracle would happen and Kevin would help her get a settlement.

And maybe pigs would fly.

* * *

Dana stood outside the entrance to WL&W, pacing back and forth as she waited for Kevin exactly where he'd told her to meet him. He'd told her he'd come early so they could go over what she wanted to tell him, but he wasn't here yet. Where was he?

She glanced at the time again. Maybe she should call him.

Just then, the elevator doors opened and Scott Cleary stepped out. His face lit up when he saw her, and his smile brightened his eyes as though he couldn't have imagined finding anyone better waiting.

She couldn't, either.

Good lord, he was hot. His glasses fit his face perfectly, making his eyes seem razor sharp instead of myopic. His suit was an understated gray, and he wore a shirt without a tie, which was so sexy.

But the sexiest thing about him was the way he kissed, and she knew she hadn't even scratched the surface when it came to that.

"Fancy meeting you here," he said, walking up to her.

She resisted the urge to take his hand. "I'd say we should stop meeting like this—"

"We should definitely not stop meeting," he finished for her, his hand reaching out.

The elevator opened and Kevin strode out. He took one look at Scott and barged right between them, his briefcase knocking Scott's knee. "Kevin Matthews. I represent Dana Matthews."

She winced. "Dana Olsen."

Scott looked back and forth between them. She could see his mind churning, putting the pieces of the puzzle together. She wanted to protest and say that his puzzle had the wrong picture—she didn't even really like Kevin, much less want to be tied to him. "Maybe we should go inside," he finally said cautiously.

Kevin started to go in right when Scott did. Scott arched his eyebrows and then continued to lead the way. Dana rolled her eyes and followed them. She tried to motion to Kevin to tell him to stop being ridiculous, but he wouldn't look at her.

Kendra watched wide-eyed as they all walked in, but she didn't say a word. Ducking her head, Dana followed the men, trying not to notice everyone watching them walk back.

Fortunately, instead of going to the fishbowl conference room, they went to Scott's office. He motioned them both in and then closed the door.

Kevin didn't bother to wait for any pleasantries. "Mrs. Matthews has informed me—"

"Ms. Olsen," Dana corrected, wanting to kick him.

He gave her a look that was supposed to shut her up. "My client has informed me of the situation concerning the bonus she's owed—"

"Actually," Scott interrupted, "she was fired before she earned the bonus."

"I told him that," Dana told Scott.

Kevin gave her a sharp look that said
shut up
. "That's precisely the point I'm making. Unless the full amount is awarded, we're going to file a wrongful termination suit."

Scott turned to her. "What happened to me getting you a settlement?"

"I tried to meet with Kevin to tell him, but he was being difficult." She faced her ex, who meant well even if he was being a butthead. "Scott thinks he can get a settlement."

"We aren't settling for less than the full amount," Kevin declared.

She shook her head. "Yes, we are. I—"

"Let me represent you, Dana." Kevin frowned at her. "I know what you need."

Since when?
a voice inside her asked.

She
had
hired him, and he
was
trying to help her. She shrugged mentally and sat back to let him do his thing.

Kevin put on his extreme lawyer's face and glared at Scott. "We're fully prepared to take this as far as we need to."

Scott faced her. "Where did you find this guy?"

"At a bar," she replied.

"I hope you don't go back there anymore."

"I don't, but the damage was done," she mumbled.

"Stop talking to him, Dana," Kevin ordered her. "I'm taking care of this."

Scott shook his head. "It doesn't seem like you are, because I want to offer Ms. Olsen a settlement, and you declined it on her behalf without consulting her."

Damn straight. She looked at Kevin, waiting to hear his reply.

Kevin just glared at Scott. "You're presumptuous concerning Dana. I'm starting to think you have a hidden agenda."

"You'd be right," Scott said. "I'm going to marry her."

"What?" She swerved her head to face him. "I thought we were still on the dating part."

He shrugged. "I just wanted to be clear about my intentions."

"You cannot marry my wife," Kevin barked, standing up.

Dana leaned in toward Scott. "He's not my husband. We've been divorced for almost two years."

"And that was a mistake." Kevin grabbed her hand and tugged her to her feet. "I've been telling you that for months. We're a team, and we work well together."

"It doesn't look that way," Scott pointed out, standing as well.

She'd have to agree. She tried to free herself but Kevin's grip was like steel. "Let go, and we aren't going to get back together. I just asked you for help with this."

"But you aren't letting me help you."

"Okay." Scott stepped around the desk. "I think you should let her go now."

Kevin's right fist popped out of nowhere and connected with Scott's jaw.

They all stood shocked for a long moment. As the red welt rose on Scott's jaw, Dana became furious. She yanked herself free and faced off with her ex. "What the hell, Kevin? How is that helping me?"

"I—"

Before he could say anything, she popped him one, too, only below the belt.

He doubled over, moaning her name.

She turned to Scott, who eyed her with respect. "Impressive aim," he said, rubbing his jaw.

"You'd be really impressed if you knew how small the target was." She winced, looking at his jaw. "I'm so sorry."

"So am I." He glanced outside the office at the people lurking, trying to see what was happening. "You should probably go before someone calls security."

"Okay." She took Kevin by the arm and dragged him out, seeing her settlement and her chance with a really nice guy fly out the window.

George went to work early, so early it was still dark out, which was great because then she couldn't see the mural in detail. She let herself in, leaving the gate unlatched but mostly closed, open enough that Alex would know to come in but not disturb her.