Hot Number (Hot Zone 2)

Micki stifled a groan.

The hostess peered down at the unkempt dog who resembled a mop more than a well-trained assistant "Oh," she said, skeptically.

Seeing as how the thing kept pulling against his leash in a blatant attempt to take off at a run, Damian could understand the girl's confusion. "How about you talk to your manager and see if you could make an exception for the gentleman and his…er…guide dog," he suggested.

She nodded, and headed down a hallway, presumably to a back office.

Damian bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. "So now the poodle's your guide dog?" he asked.

"It's not a poodle, it's a Labradoodle," Micki replied to Damian before turning to her uncle. "Why couldn't you leave Noodle home?"

"Noodle the Labradoodle?" Damian asked in disbelief.

"Don't you dare make fun of this girl. At least she's stood by me."

"Veiled reference to Lola," Micki whispered in Damian's ear.

"But why didn't you just leave her home?"

"Because she's my date." Yank's surly tone was obviously meant to warn Micki to back off and leave him alone. If Damian was a betting man, he'd wager she'd do neither.

Micki burst out laughing. "Do you really think Lola's going to be jealous of a dog? And do you really think a dog is going to keep you warm at night? Or are you counting on your stubborn streak to do it instead?"

“Missy, I'm still older than you and I know what's best."

"Then why are you still alone?'

"Okay, time out," Damian said, stepping between Yank and Micki. "Before one of you says something you'll regret."

At that moment, the hostess returned and told them, "The manager's willing to make an exception for you, Mr. Morgan, but you need to keep the dog in the private room."

"It's discrimination, that's what this is," Yank muttered.

"He'll keep the dog out of sight and thank you," Micki said to the other woman.

She nodded and led them the long way around the restaurant to the back room they'd rented for the event.

Yank went first and Damian followed behind, surprised when Micki reached back and grabbed his hand, pulling him alongside her.

"He's so tense about seeing Lola and Spencer Atkins together that he's close to insane." Micki gestured to her uncle and the dog.

"I can't imagine what he's going through, what with his eyesight deteriorating and the woman he loves having moved on."

"With his best friend."

Damian shook his head in sympathy. He glanced at Micki and realized that she'd been supporting him while her own situation wasn't exactly calm and quiet.

"I didn't realize about Yank's eyes or how much Lola's desertion has hurt him. You've been going through a lot of craziness yourself."

Micki paused outside the private party room. "Uncle Yank all but pushed Lola out.If he'd just given her an inkling about his real feelings instead of treating her like his slave and servant…"

"They have an odd history," Damian said.

"Amen."

"But between his health and the PR agency, you've been dealing with a lot." He lowered his head. "And then Carter spiked your drink, Yank pushed you off on me and sent you to the island-"

"We slept together, came home and went our separate ways and then you showed up at my office to tell me another woman might be carrying your child. Does that about sum it up?”