“Yes. We’re going to talk about their branded point-of-sales materials. I know that’s not media stuff, but it would be good for you to hear that discussion. Get more of a sense of the bigger picture. Other facets of the business.”
“That would be awesome.”
Sloane nodded. “Good.”
“Thank you so much, Sloane.” Bailey jumped up and hastened back to her cubicle.
“What would be so awesome?”
She looked up to see Levi leaning against her doorframe. Her heart bumped and warmth spread through her chest at seeing him. Dammit.
She could not fall in love with this man.
This gorgeous, funny, creative man who made her laugh and made her hot. The deeper she got into this, the more it was going to kill when it ended. She needed to protect herself.
“I’m taking Bailey with me when I have lunch with Derek, Brent and Hoyt.”
“Ah. Cool. She seemed really stoked about it.”
Sloane shrugged. “It’ll be a good learning and networking experience for her.”
“Why would you do that for her?”
She blinked. “Um. I just said.”
He smiled at her. “You like her.”
Sloane frowned. “Of course I do.”
“You’re not such a hard-ass as you seem.”
“Yes, I am. Get back to work.”
He grinned. “Come to my place tonight. I’m going to make you dinner. And then I’m going to make you come.”
“Shhh!” She bugged her eyes out at him and he laughed. “I can’t tonight. I’m having dinner with Kirk and Alex. It’ll be late.” She didn’t know that, but she was nervous about seeing too much of him. It was risky.
“Damn.” Disappointment tugged the corners of his mouth down. “Oh well. Maybe tomorrow.” He pushed away from the door and left.
Hard-ass. She wasn’t exactly a hard-ass. Clearly she had some kind of soft spot for Levi Wolcott. And possibly little Bailey. And Chuck. Chuck had definitely wriggled his warm puppy body and big brown puppy eyes into her affections. Maybe she should get a dog of her own.
She’d always wanted another dog. As a kid, she’d had the idea that once she was an adult and on her own, she’d be able to get a dog, but now it was impractical with the long hours she worked. Although, Levi did it. The truth was, she was afraid. She’d loved Teddy so much, giving him up had shattered her heart into even smaller pieces. She could never do that again.
But maybe if she had a dog, she would lavish love and affection on him. He would love her back unconditionally, expecting nothing more from her than food, water and an occasional belly rub. Then she wouldn’t be stupid enough to have feelings for a person who would leave her and hurt her.
She had one more task before she went to her next meeting. She had a birthday present to buy. She turned to her computer and went online. A Google search brought up some ideas, and there…exactly what she was looking for. She loved Google. Within a few moments, she’d tapped her credit card number in and placed an order, shelling out big bucks for next day delivery.
Levi and Scott met with Mason to review progress on the commercials for the Cerone brand. Levi wasn’t completely happy with what they’d come up with, but it still pissed him off when Mason rejected every single concept. “Back to the drawing board,” Mason said. “But remember your deadline.”
Yeah, yeah. Deadlines. Whatever.
He threw himself into his chair, linked his hands behind his head and frowned at Scott.
“What did they say when it was back to the drawing board, before there were drawing boards?” Scott mused.
“Back to the stone tablet, I guess. Shit.”
“I know.” Scott sighed. “We got this, dude. Don’t be discouraged.”
“I’m not.”
He was. This shouldn’t be so hard.
“I feel like getting drunk,” Scott said.
“Right now?” Levi perked up.
“Hell yeah.”
Levi was so on board with that idea. But damn. That would not play well with Sloane. Or The Hux. “Let’s see what we can get done. Then go for drinks. I’m thinking tonight I’m in the mood for…tequila.”
“Yeah. Patrón. Excellent. Now. Let’s talk about beer.”
They kept at it for the rest of the afternoon and Levi felt they’d made some good progress. So he didn’t feel guilty leaving at five thirty and heading to Bon Vivant. On the way out they ran into Bailey, Phoebe and Carly, and Scott invited them to come too. What the heck. Sloane was out wining and dining clients.
Bailey had to decline and rushed off, but Carly and