Page 32 of She's a Big Deal

“Be careful, though, Oli. She has a bit of a reputation.”

“Does she?” Olivia grinned. “She said no to a round of wild sex, so maybe not as much as you think.”

“What?” Dana shrieked. “You offered?”

“No, it just came up in the conversation. She brought it up first.”

“Meaning you also did… Later on?”

“I might have. But then she said only vegan burger was on the menu.” Olivia was amused as she glanced over and noticed her friend’s bewildered expression. “Close your mouth.”

“Roger that. But wow, Olivia…” Dana shook her head, still looking amazed. “What kind of conversation were you having over that expensive whisky that the idea of wild sex got into it?”

“I can’t remember.”

“Oh, come on!”

“No, really. I did invite her home for dinner, but she hasn’t said yes,yet. I think I was teasing her about that, and it all went from there.”

“I guess you got your mojo back, uh?”

“It felt good to flirt with a woman like her.”

“Okay, now I’m worried,” Dana said after a brief moment of silence.

“Why?”

“Because again, I know you, Oli. I know you don’t just flirt. It’s more akin to a skydiving exercise with you.”

“I’m not falling for her, Dana, if this is what you mean. And anyway, I thought you said I should get back in the saddle and all that?”

“Yes, but not with Grace Michaels.”

“Two seconds ago, you told me you liked her.”

“I like what she did for you. But when I said she has a bit of a reputation, I meant as something else. She’s pretty heartless when it comes to business, apparently. They say she can be a real bitch when it—”

“Okay, stop right there, please,” Olivia interrupted. “Look, D., I know you mean well, but I’m not interested in rumors and negative gossip. She’s whip-smart, ambitious, and a real type-A personality. We both know what some people call a woman like that.”

“A heartless bitch,” Dana chuckled. “Yeah, you’re right. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t judge based on hearsay.”

“Absolutely. From seeing her interacting with Charlie and spending a bit of time with her one-to-one, I can tell you there’s a lot going on with her under the surface that I’m sure not many people ever get to see.”

Dana laid a gentle hand on her shoulder, prompting Olivia to glance at her again. “You’re already seriously into her, aren’t you?”

“Well… A bit.”

“You’d like to be the one to get under her skin.”

“I’d like to know her. Yes…” Olivia breathed in deeply as she recalled Grace’s often short and sharp answers, the commanding way she had to address everyone, and her undisputed authority. She understood why people might refer to her as rude, cold, and even heartless. If they could see the hidden warmth behind her smile and feel the softness of her touch, they would change their mind pretty quickly. “The woman is sexy as sin,” she murmured as if to herself.

“Oh, dear. Oli!”

“Really, she’s gorgeous. And yes, her emotional armor feels like it’s three inches thick.” Olivia smiled at her friend. “But it only makes her more alluring as far as I’m concerned.”

Dana rolled her eyes in a mix of amused, exasperated, and concerned. “Of course it does. You have a thing for women who look strong but are often emotionally damaged on the inside.”

“That’s not true,” Olivia protested. “I like them strong, and often this means battle-hardened. It’s very different from being damaged.”

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