You. Get out, she told an imaginary Dorsey. This is WIC’s time.

“Did I lose you?” WIC asked.

“Oh no, sorry, right here,” Liza said as she scrolled through job boards. WCO was looking for a project manager. She would give an eye to work there. Should she ask Dorsey to put in a good word? No, she would rather die.

He laughed. “No, seriously, you are intimidating. I had to step my game up before I approached you.”

Liza was lightheaded. Her single biggest flaw was how much she loved to be gassed up by men. A Leo through and through.

“Flattery will get you everywhere with me, WIC. Keep it coming.”

There was a bubbly silence. At any moment, either of them would break out into giggles.

“So what do I have to do to get you down to a place like the Hotel Washington?” WIC said.

“Ask,” Liza replied.

“You mean I don’t have to be financially set up like a Fitzgerald to get you to pay attention to me?” Wait . . . she had given him her number ages ago.

“Quite the opposite, actually.”

“Do you know Dorsey like that? You both looked cozy.”

“Not really.” Liza’s skin tingled. It isn’t a lie, is it? You never really knew anybody.

“Has he ever talked about me?”

“What? No.”

“Yeah, I used to know that guy.” WIC chewed the words out.

“Wow.” It was all she had. She didn’t want to share that she had creeped on him online.

“Yeah. I was in this young entrepreneur program and had a bright idea. You know, it was a great opportunity. His dad, who I had mad love for, promised to invest.”

“Like a venture capitalist?”

“Yeah, but when Mr. F. died, Dorsey just let me and my business twist in the wind. He threatened me with the cops. It was a bad situation.”

“Wow,” was all Liza could say again. This sounded just like him.

“He ended up doing me pretty dirty in the end.”

Liza kept quiet, but none of it surprised her. This type of thing happened all the time. She was glad that WIC already seemed so comfortable opening up to her.

“So you guys parted ways and you haven’t spoken since?” Liza asked.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to bore you with my personal drama. It was just so . . .”

“No, it would have been weird to not talk about it, considering all the commotion.”

“So, when can I get you to the hotel?” WIC said, changing the subject.

“We weren’t at the hotel.” Liza’s voice was louder than it needed to be. “It was a bar, and I bumped into him.”

“Chill, Mama, I would never question your honor. I just want to take you out too—wanna know if my money’s gotta be this tall to ride.”