A-Hole to A-List (PR Girls & Instalove 1)

“Yes, but we love you,” Brynn said, sitting up straighter. “So, what happened? Did he make a move?”

I could feel my cheeks burning, but if I didn’t tell them they’d just drag it out of me anyway. “Nothing happened. But I swear he was staring at my mouth. Does that mean anything?”

“Of course it does,” Brynn said brightly. “He thinks you’re hot. And you are, by the way.”

I appreciated my friend’s support, but I was too round through the hips to ever be conventionally hot. Not that it mattered. I’d told myself I wouldn’t even consider dating until my career was more established.

“Do you really like him?” Corina asked.

“Yeah, but that’s beside the point. I can’t think about that right now. I have to focus on getting his work situation straightened out. I don’t even know what my boss might say if he found out I was…”

“Getting busy with a client?” Brynn laughed.

“Lower your voice,” I hissed. “This entire situation is ridiculous and it won’t go anywhere. I guarantee it.”

Corina patted my hand on the table. “It’s okay, Jenna. You haven’t dated very much. If you find a guy that you really click with, you have to go for it.”

I shook my head, then took a sip of coffee, trying to center myself. “No. He’s too much.”

“What do you mean?” asked Brynn.

“He’s one of those guys that’s just…” I paused. It was so hard to explain. “He apparently doesn’t understand schedules, to start. And he’s sort of a jerk about what he will and won’t tell me. I think he likes having secret information.”

I stared into my coffee for a second. How could I even begin to describe Andrew without confessing that he made my heart race, and I liked the way his colossal energy made me feel small and delicate, somehow?

“He’s just larger than life. That guy who walks into a room and everyone turns to stare.”

They both nodded, then Corina’s head turned, nodding to the door. “Sort of like that guy?”

As I swiveled my head around, my heart lurched in my chest. My elbow hit the table hard enough to make Brynn lift her coffee so it didn’t spill. Andrew waved, coming right over.

“Hi,” he said, sliding into the booth beside me just a bit too close. “You weren’t answering your work phone, and your receptionist said you might be here.”

Maybe it was rude of him to barge in and interrupt my lunch break, but his leg was pressed up against mine, causing nearly uncontrollable flutters between my inner thighs. Unable to meet his eyes for a second, I glared at my friends, hoping that they would behave themselves. “Andrew, this is Brynn and Corina,” I said quickly, as he shook their hands.

“Lovely to meet you both. I’m so sorry to burst in on your lunch like this, but I had to give you this in person.” He held out a flash drive shaped like a little silver robot.

“That’s so cute!” Brynn smiled.

“It contains all of our previous marketing, and the new materials that will be launching with our website the morning of the event,” he said quietly. “I didn’t want to email it, obviously. Please guard this carefully.”

I got the sense that his paranoia wasn’t directed at me personally. “Of course. Thanks. I’ll go through everything this afternoon.” I zipped it into an interior pocket of my purse, which seemed to make him relax.

“I have a meeting for the next hour, but after that, if you need me, I’m all yours,” he smiled. I wasn’t sure if I was imagining the saucy sparkle in his eye. “You should come to our lab and see things for yourself.”

I didn’t know what to say. Although it made sense to see things firsthand to understand what he was talking about, Andrew made it sound like he wanted to show off, like he was trying to impress me.

“I’m sorry to have interrupted lunch, ladies,” he said quickly, his hand casually dropping to my shoulder as he stood up. “So to make amends I’ll take care of your bill.”

“You don’t have to–”

He was already gone, giving a handful of cash to our rather shocked looking server over at the counter.

I knew that I was being completely unprofessional again by watching his strong stride until the door closed behind him. Then I turned to see Brynn and Corina staring at me with their mouths open. “What?”

“Did you not notice the way he looked at you?” Brynn exclaimed. “Wow. He is smitten.”

“Absolutely,” Corinna agreed. “He is seriously interested.”