Page 13 of Playing My Rivals

She approaches the office door and reaches out to grab the doorknob. Right as she does, it opens. Hunter stands before her.

He notices her belongings in her arms. “Where are you going?”

“I can’t focus in here, so I’m going to the conference room to use the computer in there. There’s too much I need to do, so you and Jami…son need to work without me today. If you need anything, have Hailey come and get me.” She brushes past him and leaves.

He faces me and spots my conflicted but justified expression. “What was that about?”

I shrug. “I was giving her a little rib-rubbing. She got upset by something I said.”

“Something tells me you were pushing her buttons. Do you care to share why?” He strides to her computer and checks the screen.

“She’s stressed about the next deadline. I thought I would banter with her, but she didn’t think it was amusing.”

He analyzes me for a minute. Then he releases a small laugh. “You probably don’t know this since your team is all men, but most women generally don’t like office banter. They appreciate being taken seriously.”

“I take every woman seriously. They’re forces to be reckoned with, so I see your point. I admit pushing her buttons was childish and I don’t want our working relationship to be strained.”

I return to my desk and sit. “She loves working here and I don’t want to screw that up. I’ll apologize to her once we’re done here. She didn’t deserve my behavior.”

Hunter takes a seat in the chair before my desk. “Take my word for it. Don’t pull that again unless she starts it. I don’t need her in a bad mood at work. It only leads to her being upset all night, which ruins the mood, if you know what I mean.”

I almost lose my breath with the blade he just twisted in my gut. “Duly noted.”

It’s Friday and Dori’s leaving the office with Hunter and me. As we exit the building, we run into Melanie and two guys.

She’s with the guys I saw Dori with the night she blocked me. My gaze crawls over them as I try to swallow the acid down. Remembering that night makes me sick. If I had done the right thing and called her, none of this would be happening.

Melanie steps forward and takes Dori’s hands in hers. “Fancy meeting you here. We’re headed across the street. I’m taking this as a sign that you have to go out with us. It’s mandatory.”

Dori laughs. “Melanie, I?—”

“She can’t tonight.” Hunter steps forward and removes Melanie’s hands from Dori’s.

He still has a lot to learn about her because his actions will push her right into Melanie’s plans. I stand back and wait for this to play out.

Dori’s eyes narrow as she faces Hunter. “What do you mean I can’t?”

He shakes his head. “Just that. You can’t go out with them.”

“And why not?” Her eyes spark with fire as she folds her arms.

Oh, this should be good.

I slide my hands into my pants pocket and silently laugh to myself.

Serves you right, motherfucker.

Hunter steps closer to her. “Because I thought?—”

“You thought nothing.” She twists back to Melanie. “I’d love to go out with you guys. I need to change my clothes though, so do you guys mind coming to my place first so I can do that?”

Melanie bounces on her tiptoes. “Yay! Finally, I get a night out with you. I knew it was a sign.”

“You guys don’t mind, do you?” Dori asks the guys.

The man with jet-black hair shakes his head while the one with auburn hair smiles.

“Of course not. I’ll take it as a sign too.” He flashes an admiring smile at her, and I want to punch him in the face.

---