A Twist of Date Read Online Free PDF Page B

answer your question, Steve, yes. They’re starting the meeting now.” Then, he turned to Erica. “And to respond to your concern, Conner, today’s word is lifesucks .”
    Erica’s chin dropped to her chest, and she crinkled her nose. “That’s two words.”
    “Not if you say it quickly.” Steve raised a finger. “Lifesucks. Lifesucks. See?”
    Erica shook her head. “It’s still two words.”
    “After the night I just had, it’s one word.” My mind flew back to last night’s events, then jumped to my lunch with Patti, which inevitably left me wondering about Matt’s date.
    Erica sighed. “I can’t believe you let that hottie get away, Mel.”
    Matt rubbed my shoulders. “He wasn’t nearly good enough for our girl.”
    I groaned, mostly for liking the feel of Matt’s hands on me. Surprisingly, I hadn’t thought about Brad at all today. “I don’t want to talk about it because lifesucks .”
    “Fine, it’s one word.” Erica rolled her eyes in that ‘whatever’ way of hers. “Anyway, lifesucks when we’re loud, so let’s keep it down, people.” 
    “Fine.” I pressed my ear against the unpainted sheetrock wall. I had the strong urge to ask Matt about his date, but my stomach felt nauseated just thinking about her. “What were the suits like, Matt? Did you get a look at them? Did they look eager to fire any of us?”
    Matt squeezed between Erica and me, then put an ear to the wall, too. His shoulder brushed against mine, sending a rush of tingles up my neck. I breathed in his spicy cologne, which made me want to buy a bottle of whatever it was and drench my pillow with it.
    “Introductions weren’t made,” Matt said, clearly unaware of the physical effect he was having on me. “But I gather one guy is Rudy’s brother. His last name was Zambini and he could’ve passed for his twin.”
    I knew Matt had said something, but it was impossible to concentrate with that one nagging thought hanging on my mind. I had to get it over with. “How was your lunch?”
    “Great.” His head rested against the wall, and his gaze met mine. “I wanted to introduce you, but you guys left so fast I didn’t get a chance.”
    Our faces were inches apart, and I felt woozy being this close to him. “First, the girl from the dance club. Now, the girl from Cherie’s Café . . .”
    He chuckled, his eyes crinkling in an adorable way. “You make it sound like I have a stream of women in my life.”
    “Don’t you?” I bit my lip, waiting for the answer, but not sure I wanted to hear it. Then, I shrugged, trying to cover how interested I was. “Not that it’s my business.”
    His expression grew serious. “I’m single, but I certainly don’t have a stream of girls.”
    “Oh.” My stomach warmed, and I felt the heat rush to my cheeks. Our shoulders were still touching, but I couldn’t bring myself to move away. Then, I caught movement out of the corner of my eye.
    Erica knelt down on the floor next to an air vent, and held a finger to her lips. “They’ve started the meeting. Want me to relay what they’re saying?”
    “Is it wise to speak that close to the vent?” I stared down at Erica, who was sprawled  across the floor with her ear smashed against the grate. “I mean, if you can hear them, can’t they hear you, too?”
    Erica frowned, probably mentally shushing herself. “This is another reason I work alone.” Making several twisty motions with her hand, she zipped her lips then waved us down toward the vent that was two inches above the linoleum floor.
    In the name of duty, I dropped onto my stomach between Matt and Steve, and tried not to sneeze from the dust that coated the vent.
    Matt put his arm around me. “Cozy enough for you?”
    I definitely felt cozy against him, but no way would I let him know. “Shouldn’t we focus on our jobs?”
    Matt winked at me. “Not my first choice, but whatever you say.”
    “ Rodolfo, dai .” A man’s voice, with a thick Italian accent, echoed