“So, wait—did you two dance at the club?” Lexi wrapped her hair up in a towel and strolled out of the bathroom in just her robe.
“Oh my God, Lexi, the man can move. He’s big, but has rhythm and grace like you couldn’t even imagine. The hip action alone …” Hope fell back
onto the bed, fanning herself.
“Are you going to see him again?” Lexi flicked through her closet and pulled out a blue wrap dress. She held up a pair of silver heels to Hope, and when she got the thumbs up, she placed them on the bed.
“I have no idea.”
“Did he kiss you goodnight?” Lexi yelled from inside the bathroom as she got dressed.
“On the cheek.”
“His idea or yours?” Lexi asked as she ran her fingers through her hair to help it dry and stepped back into her bedroom.
“Mine. He still has to earn the lips.”
Lexi was putting on mascara when her phone beeped with a text from Vincent.
What apartment number?
Lexi quickly texted back.
403—You better be leaving your place and not sitting in front of mine.
She stifled a laugh at his response.
I just took my car out of my pocket and am pulling onto the street now. Be there in a few.
“Oh great, he’s on his way already. I need to hurry. Hope, how messy is the apartment out there?”
“What do you care? You aren’t trying to impress him, are you?” She smirked at Lexi from the bed.
“No, but he’s my boss and I don’t want him to think that I live like a pig. Just go make sure the place is straightened up while I finish my makeup and dry my hair.”
Hope left the room and began picking up the already clean apartment for her friend. Lexi frantically dried her hair and touched up her makeup.
While getting ready, she kept running through the presentation in her head, mentally marking the points Vincent needed to drive home. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she didn’t notice the voices in the other room until she was slipping her shoes onto her feet.
“This one is of her and Harry when she was seven. I personally like the blue frosting all around her mouth.”
“Hope Lila Greyson!” Lexi came flying out of her room, ready to kill, but her breath left her lungs in a whoosh when she saw Vincent, showered, pressed and looking like a specimen of male perfection as he leaned his shoulder against her wall and examined her family pictures. When the smell of his cologne hit her, she had to hold onto a nearby chair to steady herself. Her reaction didn’t go unnoticed.
“You okay, Lexi?” Hope asked, biting her cheek to keep from laughing. “I was just showing Vincent some of your pictures while he waited for you to finish getting ready.”
“And I assume you showed him the naked baby pictures too?”
“Nice birthmark,” Vincent chuckled until he saw Lexi’s face pale. Then he threw up his hands innocently. “I was just kidding. She didn’t show me anything. But, good guess about the birthmark, huh?” He rubbed the back of his neck and looked away, embarrassed.
“I’m sorry you had to wait. I’m ready.” Lexi grabbed her purse and jacket and ignored Hope’s cackling in the corner.
“No problem. I was actually a few minutes early.” Vincent’s warm smile instantly calmed Lexi’s thundering heart.
“Hope, before I forget, I need a ride—”
“We talked about Madison’s tea party while you were beautifying, and Vincent doesn’t mind taking you.” Hope snuck a wink in Lexi’s direction. “So I’m going to get your car from the shop this afternoon and bring it up to his sister’s place and pick you up there.”
“If you’re sure you don’t mind, Vincent,” Lexi said.
“I already gave her Anna’s address. Oh, and Sean told me to send you his regards,” he told Hope.
She quirked an eyebrow at Vincent in disbelief.
“Fine, he actually asked me to tell you that he can’t get you out of his head, but I thought that sounded a little creepy, so I edited.”
“Maybe you can teach the guy some gentlemanly manners.” Hope smiled. “You seem to know how to treat a lady and make her swoon.” Lexi glared at her from across the room.
“Sorry, Hope. Sean’s … Sean. Love him or hate him, what you see is what you get. He’s actually the most upfront and honest person I have ever met. If he thinks it, he says it.” He gently ushered Lexi toward the door. “Oh, and he thinks you’re incredibly sexy when you talk cars.”
“Will he be at your sister’s place tonight?” Vincent nodded his head. “And does he know I’m coming?” Hope beamed when Vincent slowly shook his head no.
“Perfect.” Hope fell back onto the couch with a silly grin on her face. “Get out of here, you two, and good luck with the presentation.”
Lexi peeked over her shoulder as Vincent held the door open for her. “Will you lock up?”
“Of course.” Hope waved them out the door. “Good luck! Break a leg, or whatever I’m supposed to say for an advertising presentation. Basically, don’t suck!”
Vincent laughed and closed the door behind him. “I can see why Sean’s so smitten with her.”
“Smitten?” Lexi giggled at his antiquated word while she leaned against the wall, waiting for him.
“Yes, smitten.” He leaned his head closer to her. “It means to captivate, to affect someone strongly, or to fill someone,” Lexi gulped audibly as his eyes darkened, “with love or longing.”
Lexi blinked a few times, not saying anything. When she found her voice, she squeaked out, “Smitten is good.”
“You’re absurd sometimes, do you know that?” Vincent pushed away from the wall and headed for the elevator.
“So I’ve been told.” Lexi pushed the button and waited for the doors to open. “Not to sound like a total girl, but do I look okay? I have no idea what one wears to a presentation. I hope this is acceptable.”
“You look perfect. Professional. And I must say, that color looks beautiful on you.”
Vincent’s phone beeped. He glanced at the display, and then tucked it back into his pocket. The third time it happened he cursed under his breath.
“Is everything okay?” Lexi watched him become more and more agitated. “It’s fine. Nothing that concerns you.” His wall had gone back up.
“Well, it looks like something. And since you’re about to pitch one of the biggest campaigns of your career, maybe it will help if you get it off your chest so you can move on and make a decent presentation. But if I’m wrong, just tell me. No need to spare my feelings.”