Dean jumped in to back up Gillian. “Maybe instead of hiring us you should simply date her a little longer. You might be able to figure it out on your own.”
Billy shook his head. “I’d like to fast-track the relationship, and I’m willing to pay. Are you saying you don’t want my money?”
Frankly, no. Dean wasn’t that desperate, and DreamMakers had grown successful enough working the big gigs that they didn’t need to take on all the nickel-and-dime jobs. Especially the ones that had that sensation of edging into sleazy.
Before he could find a way to gracefully bow out, Gillian beat him to the punch, holding out the set of papers they’d been going over. “As long as you understand that even with us helping set up the date, there’re no guarantees that this will fast-track anything, you can take these up front. Didi will help you sign them and take your deposit.”
Billy shot to his feet. “Awesome. That’s what I’m talking about.”
He all but glared at Dean then hoofed it from the room.
Dean leaned back his chair and gave Gillian a sharp look. “You didn’t seem too concerned there. Jumping in without my go-ahead.”
Gillian returned his gaze evenly. “He’s a creep under that glossy surface. Not a dangerous one, but the type who would blame us if things don’t go well. Any woman can see it after a few times, which is probably why he’s not getting anywhere with—” she glanced at the forms, “—Penny. So, we set up the date in a public place to ensure she’s got room to run, and he can’t blame us for either turning down coordination or ruining things.”
Very smart woman. “You sure you won’t marry me?”
She flashed a cocky smile. “You couldn’t handle me…Dean.”
Dean figured she just might be right.
Chapter Five
It was Friday night and Jack was at the office. Jeez. He remembered a time when Friday nights meant hitting the bars with Parker, getting loaded, and going home with a hot chick who wouldn’t care if he didn’t remember her name the next morning. Now here he was, finishing paperwork before he went home alone and probably jerked it to thoughts of Pepper.
Pepper, who’d been giving him the cold shoulder all week long. He’d bumped into her at the DreamMakers office a couple of times when she’d popped in to discuss the project they’d hired her for. The first time, Parker was in the room, so Jack hadn’t been able to talk to her alone. The second time only increased the tension between them, because Charlene had stopped by to go over the details for the digital presentation Pepper was creating which would be simultaneously displayed on multiple screens in the hotel ballroom where the party was being held.
Pepper had taken one look at the big-breasted redhead and glared at Jack so hard he was surprised her face hadn’t frozen in that murderous mask.
But enough was enough. He needed to clear the air with her, make sure she knew he hadn’t been dicking her around in the gazebo last weekend. He didn’t want Kendra or Charlene or any other woman—he wanted her. And it was time she knew it.
Setting aside the questionnaire he’d been reading, Jack grabbed his phone and dialed Pepper’s number. She took so long to answer that he was about to hang up, but then her breathless—and heavily annoyed voice—slid into his ear.
“What do you want, Jackjack? I’m literally walking out the door.”
“Hot date?” he couldn’t help but crack.
“Actually, yes.”
Just like that, his heart plummeted to the pit of his stomach, joining the knot of jealousy rapidly twisting his insides. “I won’t keep you, then,” he said coolly.
“For Pete’s sake, I already picked up the phone. You might as well tell me what you want.”
Her aggravated tone sparked his own irritation. “Don’t worry about it. It was a work thing. We can deal with it on Monday.”
“Fine. Great. Later, Jack.”
She’d hung up on him.
She’d hung up on him. Because she was on her way out to spend the evening with another man.
Jack shot off the couch, anger and frustration warring inside him. Screw it. Maybe she had the right idea. Maybe he needed to go out with someone else and forget about this stupid attraction to Pepper. All they ever did was argue, anyway, and he hated arguing. Even if they did wind up in bed, the insufferable woman would probably just yell at him the entire time.
Setting his jaw, he gathered up the papers strewn all over the couch and marched out of the office toward the file room at the end of the hall. He wasn’t going to spend his night reading about other people’s love lives. Nope, it was time to jump-start his own.
“You’re still here?”
He jerked at the sound of Dean’s voice, turning to find his partner coming up behind him. Dean had a frazzled look in his gray eyes, which were focused on the cell phone in his hand.