Chapter 103

Any doubts I had about Dylan being comfortable in the chaotic apartment belonging to Maria, Megan, Rachel, and their two other roommates flew out the window the minute he walked into the place.

He didn’t so much as bat an eye at the dishes in the sink, or the make-up palettes left on almost every surface, or even the drying bras hanging from the ceiling fan. He just smiled like he always did, ever in his own element.

The only thing in the room that put a tiny falter in that smile was me.

I had to fix this relationship somehow, I knew that. But everything was so complicated, and I didn’t know how I felt at the moment. Everything was so messy.

He looked at me as if he was studying me. “You okay?”

“Not really,” I admitted. “But… I’ll feel better when this is resolved.”

Dylan placed his hand on my shoulder. “We’ll figure this out.” His smile added teeth. “There’s no problem I can’t fix.”

“Thank you,” I told him, and led him inside.

Megan had hidden the pizza rolls away and changed into some nice clothes. “Hello,” she said to Dylan, looking at him like she might want to eat him.

“Nice to see you,” Dylan said, and Megan blushed. He nodded at Maria next, “Maria, right? Good to see you again.” Maria blushed too.

I clapped my hands, bringing everyone’s attention back to me before the other girls could swoon themselves into a coma or something.

“Let’s focus,” I said. “We need to cement the plan!”

For the next two hours, we brainstorm how to bust into Elena’s computer without her knowledge. We even eventually bring Mike in on speakerphone to talk about what he needs to gain access.

Even with Dylan as distraction, it would take Mike too long to break into her system if she decides to put the computer asleep before walking off. And since Elena will likely be on alert, she’s certain to lock her system up.

We needed a way to get the computer into Mike’s hands for longer. The best way to do it?

“A virus,” Mike suggested. “Nothing dangerous. It will just lock up her computer and she’ll be forced to call in IT.”

“IT means you, I hope,” Maria said.

“You know it, babe,” Mike replied. Maria worried her bottom lip and looked down. Megan grinned at her.

“That could work,” Dylan said, considering.

“I’ll give you a thumb-drive in the morning,” Mike said. “You just have to put it in the port and let it work its magic.”

“I can do that,” Maria said. “While Dylan distracts Elena.”

Dylan saluted. “Sounds like it’s decided then.”

It did. I just hated that there wasn’t anything I could personally do. While grateful for the help of my friends, I wanted to be able to contribute.

Dylan’s eyes met mine. “We’ll get you your job back, Hazel.”

A little while later, I walked Dylan to the door. Our plans were set, and it was getting late. I was going to crash on Maria’s couch, but Dylan had to be getting home.

I saw Dylan out into the hallway, where he turned to me.

“I really appreciate your help,” I said.

“I know you do,” he replied. The awkwardness I had been expecting fell around us now. So much had happened between us. I wanted to repair things, but it felt as if a simply apology might not be enough. “Dylan, listen –”

“You don’t have to say anything,” Dylan said. “We’ll talk when you have less on your plate, yeah? We’ll get you your job back, then we can sit down and clear everything up.”

Relief flooded through me. Dylan was a good guy. Handsome, too.

I was such a fool for waffling with my feelings for him. Everything was so overwhelming though. That kiss with Logan put a fog in my brain that I couldn’t quite clear.

“Goodnight, Haze,” Dylan said and walked away.

Dylan walked into Hatfield Supply the next morning. He’d almost talked himself out of doing this for Hazel. After all, hadn’t he resolved to stay out of Hazel’s life? She and Logan were all kinds of entangled, and Dylan didn’t much care for being a third-wheel.

But when a beautiful damsel calls you asking for help – well, you can’t just say no. So Dylan became ensnared back in Hazel’s web. Honestly, he didn’t hate it. He liked seeing her. And plots like this were fun to carry out.

It was midmorning in the office when Dylan sauntered up to Elena’s desk. She typed away at her computer. Her breasts were on display, barely covered by a too-tight blouse. The middle buttons were holding on for dear life.

Nearby, Maria hovered, watching like a hawk, ready to make her move. All Dylan had to do was draw Elena away.

Dylan had threatened Elena with legal action the last time he was here, so this conversation wasn’t likely to be easy. He figured he had two possible tactics: threaten her, or flirt.

One was more fun than the other.

Pulling on my well-loved playboy grin, he stopped at Elena’s desk, rested my hand over the top of her monitor and leaned forward.

Elena startled, looking up at Dylan first with surprise, then with suspicion. “What do you want?”

“To apologize. I was so… rude to you, the last time we met,” Dylan said. He pulled at his cuffs, purposefully flashing his expensive watch. As intended, she looked at it like a shark smelling blood in the water. “I want to make it up to you. God, you are beautiful.”

“Mm, I was hoping you might come around. You’re a lawyer, right?”

“A successful one,” Dylan added. “Maybe we can go somewhere more private to talk for a moment. I have a proposal for you, you might be interested in hearing.”

Elena pressed her arms together tightly, pressing her breasts up even higher. “I know just the place.”

The place she had in mind was a supply closet. As soon as they entered, she turned to Dylan and placed her hands on his chest.

“Tell me about your proposal,” she said, pouting her lower lip.

Dylan smirked. “Have you ever considered owning a timeshare?” He never had any intention of kissing this woman. She’d been such a bitch to Hazel. Even with her breasts on display, he felt nothing but resentment for her.

“What?”

Dylan spent the next five solid minutes talking to Elena about the benefits of shared property. He could have gone on for longer. He knew exactly how these sales pitches worked. He spent a lot of time trying to get clients out of their time share contracts, so he knew the verbiage.

Elena’s face went from confused to annoyed. “This is your proposal?”

Dylan shrugged. “You seem like you enjoy the beach.”

Elena pushed past him and out of the closet. Dylan slowly followed her back to her desk. By now, Maria was back at her own desk.

“I’ll pass,” Elena snapped as she sat down. She pushed her mouse around, but her computer seemed locked up.

“Trouble?” Dylan asked.

“Nothing for you to worry about,” she snapped.

Dylan shrugged as he walked back to the elevator. Mission accomplished.

As I stepped off the elevator, all of my co-workers turned to look at me. I could hear their whispers.

“What is she doing here?”

“Wasn’t she suspended?”

I didn’t let them get to me. I walked with confident straight to Logan’s office.

Sabrina stood at my approach and tried to step into my path.

“You shouldn’t be here – Hey!”

I sidestepped her and opened Logan’s door. He looked up from his desk. Seeing me, his brow pulled together in confusion. “Hazel?”

“I didn’t send Mr. Hanson to the hospital,” I said. I dropped a manila folder of evidence on his desk. “And I can prove it.”