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“Pizza it is. I’ll have one of the workers pick it up for us, okay?”

Samantha nodded. “Thank you, Auntie Scarlett.”

“You’re welcome, precious girl.”

****

Scarlett stepped out of the elevator into the lobby of Dave's law firm. The different lines on the phones rang while both of his receptionists answered them one by one, putting them on hold before returning to the first call. The sitting area had been mostly empty except for an older couple. When they glanced up at her, they turned away.Nothing new there.She strode past them to the front reception area without a second thought. The receptionist on the left hung up the phone then glanced at her before quickly lowering her gaze.

Both Kenny and Edward made a derisive noise.

Scarlett shook it off. She was used to it. “I’m here to see Mr. Youngblood.”

“Name?” The woman still wouldn’t look at her.

“Scarlett Leon,” she answered.

The receptionist clicked a few keys on the keyboard in front of her. "Sorry, no appointment listed here. You'll need to call back later and make one."

She tilted her head. “Dave knows I am here.”

“Computer says otherwise.” The phone rang again, and the receptionist answered it, effectively cutting her off.

“Fuck this,” Scarlett muttered.

“What are we doing, Miss Scarlett?” Edward hedged.

“Going back to Dave’s office.” She shrugged. “He knows we’re here.”

Kenny laughed. "I love it when you're a badass." He placed his hand on the small of her back, guiding her down the hall to the large office with the bay windows overlooking Colorado Springs. A thrill shot up her spine as the memories of what they'd done the night before, sprung to life.

"Miss... Miss, you can't go down there! I'll have to call security." The receptionist leaned over the counter and shouted.

“Then call them.” Scarlett shrugged. “Dave knows I’m coming.”

At the mention of his name, his head popped up and he gifted her with a brilliant smile. He stood then and buttoned his jacket as he made his way to her. “You look radiant as always.” Dave wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug. “God damn it’s good to see you away from that forsaken sanctuary.”

“Watch it. I happen to love my sanctuary.”

Dave nuzzled her neck and chuckled. “Yeah, well...” He motioned for them to follow. “Come on, we have all afternoon and I want to know what you’re being so secretive about.”

“Mr. Youngblood,” a man called out and Scarlett pivoted with Dave.

The security guard had two others flanking him, each one a little more intimidating than the last. The grim set of his face denoted the fact he’d been called up there most likely by the stupid receptionist who’d arbitrarily decided Scarlett shouldn’t be there.Shitty people do shitty things. It's not about you, Scar,she told herself.

“Yeah, Tommy?” Dave stepped forward. “Is there an issue?”

The man shook his head. “We were called about a disturbance.”

Dave glanced over his shoulder at Scarlett and winked. “Well, as you can see, there isn’t a disturbance here. Just the co-owner ofHearts and Paws, here discuss business, which she had an appointment for.”

Tommy nodded. “Sorry, Miss.”

Scarlett raised her hand and gave him a dismissive wave.

“Who called you up here Tommy?” Dave continued down the hall to the security guards.

“I did, sir,” the woman who’d disregarded everything Scarlett said, stated.