“Lunch is on me,” he says, taking out his wallet.

“We’ll pretend that’s what happened, Miller. It’s like everything between us, a game of pretending we can coexist in the same space. But we know the truth, don’t we?”

“I do, but do you?” he asks, leaving a hundred on top of my twenties.

“What do you mean by, ‘I have to travel to wine country in a couple of weeks?’” Danielle walks right behind me. “We have to switch your schedule around if you have to be there by Thursday.”

“It’s complicated,” I answer.

“This isn’t Facebook. You don’t have to explain your relationship status.”

How do I explain to her that when I arrived at the meeting, it felt as if I missed half of the conversation, was told to put on a friendship bracelet and work with 23 Media Inc.?

After pouring myself a big glass of water, I take a seat on the couch and recount everything that happened from the moment I noticed the enemy sitting in Gyles’s office.

“They’re our competition. That’s unheard of,” she says, mirroring my frustration.

For Danielle, there’s only winning. She’s worse than me.

“Miller is playing dirty,” I conclude.

There’s something hidden behind this ‘friendly’ attitude. What is he getting in return? I could try to play nice and figure out his endgame, then defeat him before he even tries to use the upper hand.

She swipes her finger on the screen of her tablet and asks, “What do you need me to do?”

“Were you able to get me any meetings?”

“Your calendar is full for the rest of the week,” she confirms. “I’ll make sure to schedule next week accordingly. Do you need a puppy sitter for Reggie?”

“I think it’s best if he stays another weekend with his grandparents.”

“Sorry,” she says. “I forget your family is here. That sounds good...So I checked your lease, and unless you sublet, you have to pay the entire year.”

“Great, I’m screwed.”

“How bad is it?”

He was half-naked last night; I wanted him to fuck me. But I say, “He’s the last person I want to see at night or in the morning.”

“Get a boyfriend,” she suggests. “We can try Tinder again, and this time I’ll swipe right when I find someone who fits your needs.”

“Nah, if you’re going to play Sherlock, why don’t you try to find out more about Mr. Gyles’ family. There has to be something about them that will give me the upper hand.”

“We’re stalking clients,” she says all excited. “I’ll get that and a date for you too.”