[Dating by Design 02.0] Statistically Improbable

by Jennifer Peel

  Speaking of home, I couldn’t stay to watch the game. The first Sunday of every month I Skyped with my dad and brothers. It was the most technological thing my dad knew how to do.

  Zander walked me out, I’m sure at Mrs. Marshall’s insistence. The sun was just setting. I loved twilight. When we reached my truck door, I made a request. “Could you please not pit me against Eva and Cara this week?”

  He narrowed his eyes. “I’m not pitting you against them. I’m asking you to do your job.”

  “It’s causing problems. I don’t like the tension and I know they’re talking about me behind my back.”

  “They’re jealous because you do your job so well. You’re almost as good as me.”

  “It’s always about you, isn’t it?”

  “I’d like to think so.” He grinned.

  “Please do this for me.”

  “Not happening, darlin’. You’re too good for that.”

  “Thanks for nothing.” I turned to get in my truck.

  He placed his hand against the door. “Meg.” I had never heard him say my name like that before. If I wasn’t mistaken, he sounded serious.

  I looked up into his delicious eyes.

  “In life and business, you have to go for what you want. Don’t let your detractors get in your way.”

  I gave him a close-lipped smile.

  “You don’t seem to have any problem putting me in my place. Use that same attitude at work. You owe it to yourself and your career.”

  “Easy for you to say. You seem to be able to get away with anything.”

  “Not with you.”

  I kept staring at his lips. The close proximity and the sexy way he said things were making me think of how good it would feel if only I leaned in a little. Or maybe it had just been a while and I needed a good make out session. I had no doubt he would do the job nicely.

  “Moisten your lips like that again, darlin’, and I’ll think you’re going to follow through on your promise for kisses.”

  Did I really moisten my lips? I opened my truck door. I had to get away from him. He was lethal in large doses. “I gave you a whole bag.”

  “I think your lips would be sweeter.”

  “You don’t have to pretend anymore. Remember, we broke up?”

  “Goodnight, darlin’.” He walked away leaving me feeling overly heated in the cool evening air. I needed to get home. I needed my dad, a voice of reason. Not like I could tell him about Zander, though. What would I say? Hey, Dad, your sensible daughter is falling for a womanizer. And as an added bonus, I work with him. But the good news is that he’s smart and he helped me pass my statistics test. Did I mention I pretended to be his girlfriend? And oh yeah, the way he dances or makes me feel breathless every dang time I’m around him?

  I was too smart for this, for him.

  But I had a failsafe. Zander would never make a play for a woman like me.

  I rushed into my apartment and got my laptop up and running before I logged into my Skype account. I got situated at my little yellow table with Jasper in my lap, purring away. I made the call to my dad and waited for him to respond. Within several seconds his weathered but handsome face appeared on the screen.

  “Megan,” his gruff voice came through my speakers. He was the only person who called me by my given name anymore.

  “Dad.” I let out the deep breath I had been holding. Just seeing his face helped calm my nerves. “Where are the boys?”

  “They’re coming. They had to repair one of the fences near the creek.”

  “How’s the weather?”

  “It’s snowing.”

  “I bet the boys are cussing.”

  “It’s got to be done.”

  “How are you, Daddy?”

  He scrubbed his hand over his unshaven face. The gray was really coming out in his beard. His brown eyes looked tired and worn. “You haven’t called me that in a long time. Everything okay?”

  “I’m great. Job is good, school is school, but I’m doing well.” Thanks to someone I won’t mention.

  “You sure?”

  “Of course. How are you?”

  “Same old, same old.”

  “You always say that.”

  “It’s always true.”

  “How are Dakota and Marley?” Dakota was our Australian Shepherd and Marley was my horse.

  “Dakota got in some trouble with a porcupine. Had to take him to Doc Sullivan to have several quills removed.”

  “Oh no, is he okay?”

  “Stupid dog will live.” My dad was all talk. He loved that dog. The thing slept with him every night.

  The boys could be heard making a racket as they tumbled into the house. “Is that our citified sister I hear?” Lincoln called out.

  “You boys keep it down. I can’t even hear myself think,” Dad yelled back. They would always be the boys even if one was twenty-eight and the other twenty-five.

  “Grumpy old man.” Colton’s head came into view. “How’s it going, sis?” Colton shook the snow out of his blonde hair to my dad’s irritation.

  “Better than you.”

  “A little snow and hard work never killed anyone.” His blue eyes were alight.

  Except Mom. I kept that to myself. “How’s Savannah?”

  A devilish grin erupted on his baby face. “Mrs. Dawson is fine. She’s working tonight at the truck stop.”

  That was the thing about ranching, or at least a ranch that had two sons. Our ranch wasn’t big enough to divide among the boys or enough to provide a good living for the two of them, especially for their future families. It was a rough, hard-earned life. The life my dad didn’t want me to have. He didn’t want me to be a Savannah. Not that there was anything wrong with waitressing at a truck stop, but it wasn’t the kind of life Clint Dawson pictured for his only daughter. The day I graduated from high school, he told me to get as far away as I could. I still remember the tears in his eyes. It was the only time I had ever seen him cry besides Mom’s funeral.

  “Tell her I said hello.”

  Lincoln joined us too. His face was wind-whipped red. “Hey, little big sister.”

  “Hey, Bubba. You look tired.”

  He ran his hands through his dark hair. “Your vision is cloudy. Dawson men don’t get tired.”

  “If you say so.”

  “Did you know the Broncos are playing in your neck of the woods next week?” Lincoln asked.

  “I know. I wish the tickets weren’t ridiculously high priced.”

  “They’re probably going to lose anyway,” Colton threw in.

  “Hey now, we need to think positive. So what if the Falcons are on fire this year? The Broncos have come through before.”

  “Don’t count on it. Their new quarterback is hit and miss. He’s no Peyton Manning,” Colton replied.

  “Do you want to bet on the game?” Lincoln’s tired eyes lit up.

  “Betting is for fools,” Dad grumbled.

  “I’ll text you later.” Lincoln winked. Those boys were troublemakers.

  “Let’s get down to real business.” Colton took center stage. “Any boys we need to be worried about?”

  “No.”

  “Oh. She’s lying.” Lincoln pushed Colton over.

  “No, I’m not.”

  “Did you hear that and the way her eyes looked up? She’s a liar.”

  “Leave your sister alone,” Dad mumbled in the background. I was always the favorite.

  “We will never surrender. Spill the beans, little sister.”

  “How old are you guys?”

  “Old enough to know you’re keeping a secret.”

  “I’m sorry to disappoint you.” I tried my best to keep a straight face and my eyes focused. Rotten boys knew me too well.

  Both Colton and Lincoln’s eyes shrewdly narrowed.

  “We’ll see,” they said at the same time.

  “Enough, boys.” Dad pushed them out of the way. His face came into focus. “Do you need anything? I could send
you a little money.”

  I was always touched when he offered, but I couldn’t and wouldn’t take him up on it. I knew things were tight. “I’m good, Dad.”

  He paused.

  “I promise. I make a lot more money in my new position.”

  “You eating okay?”

  “I should ask you that.”

  “Nothing fancy, but we get by.”

  “I miss you, Dad.”

  “You’re where you belong.” That was his way of saying he missed me too, but he loved me enough to keep me away.

  “I know.” At least I did most of the time. “Love you.”

  “Right back at ya.” He wasn’t the warmest of men.

  The boys yelled their goodbyes in the background before the call ended.

  I scratched Jasper on his head. “Looks like it’s just you and me.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  It was the start of another work week and I was feeling weird about spending so much time over the weekend with my coworkers, in particular, the one. Not that he was The One, he definitely wasn’t. I woke up early to make cinnamon scones for our Monday scheduling meeting. I wondered if I should, in light of Eva and Cara’s attitude as of late, but Zander’s words rang in my head. It was hard to argue with his reasoning, but I hated the tension. I grew up with boys, and if they had a problem with you, they told you. There was nothing passive aggressive about growing up a Dawson. I would rather Eva and Cara come out into the open about whatever it was they felt like I’d done.

  I ended up making the scones. I was who I was.

  I pulled into Binary Search’s parking lot. Ellen, the event planner who owned the building and occupied the first floor, had Kenadie cornered by her car. Per Mrs. Marshall, Ellen’s company was coordinating the event, but it sounded more to me like Mrs. Marshall and her friends had taken it over. Ellen didn’t look all that happy. I felt bad for Kenadie, but I wasn’t sure what I could do except give her a sympathetic smile as I walked by. If Kenadie didn’t elope, it was going to be a miracle.

  I opened the lobby door to find Zander watching the scene.

  “What are you doing?”

  He kept his eyes on Kenadie. “Waiting to save the day.”

  “You better hurry. I think she could use the back up.”

  “We’re almost there.”

  “I won’t even ask how you know.” I headed for the stairs.

  “Hold up.” He grabbed my basket of scones and pulled me back. He helped himself to a scone and held it up. “I knew you would bake for me again.”

  “Those are for everyone.”

  “Keep telling yourself that.”

  “Bye, Zander.”

  “See you later, darlin’.” He headed out the door to save his best friend. He was probably going to sweet talk Ellen. I tried not to think about it, but he had overtaken my thoughts.

  Daphne wasn’t at the front desk when I walked in, so I left her a scone on a napkin. On the way to my office I noticed Eva’s door was open. I waved hello, and she hardly acknowledged me. I hated this. I liked it better when I was the receptionist and everyone in the office loved me. Eva and Cara would always stop by and give me the scoop on their love lives, which were much more exciting than mine. And back then I only had a mild crush on Zander, instead of the four-alarm fire of hormones I had raging now. I missed those days.

  Maybe I should seek therapy from Kate. She wasn’t one to blab. She kept to herself, but she was wicked smart and insightful. I had been trying for the life of me to figure out why I was so attracted to Zander. I didn’t have daddy issues or a traumatic past, other than my mom dying. I wasn’t codependent or addicted to any drugs or medications. I didn’t even drink. There was really no explanation for my horrible taste.

  I was going to see if I could take Kate to lunch. I would treat, in exchange for a diagnosis.

  The scheduling meeting was status quo. Kenadie was stressed out of her mind and a little touchy. Zander did his best to make it worse and Kate studied the pair’s dynamics. It worked in my favor. It meant Zander didn’t pay attention to me and it didn’t give Cara and Eva anything to talk about. That was until Kenadie asked me to stay after, something about a special assignment.

  Cara and Eva had their heads together as they walked out and I knew they were talking about me.

  Zander for once didn’t make a joke or say something sarcastic. “Don’t let them get to you.” He left me alone with Kenadie.

  “What was that all about?” Kenadie rubbed her temples.

  It seemed like a bad time to mention anything else that would add to her stress. “Nothing. What can I help with?”

  She sighed. “First, my momma wanted me to invite you to Thanksgiving dinner. It slipped her mind yesterday.”

  “She’s hosting Thanksgiving in the middle of all the wedding stuff?”

  Kenadie rubbed her neck. “That’s my momma for you.”

  “I don’t want to intrude.”

  “You won’t. Please say you’ll come or it will be something else for her to have a tizzy about.”

  “I would love to, but only if I can help.”

  “I’ll let you work that out with my momma.”

  “I’ll call her.”

  Kenadie gave me a forced smile. “I would also like you to do some research for me, but I need it to be kept secret—only Zander and myself know.”

  I was more than intrigued. “Okay.”

  She shut the conference room door and lowered her voice. “Do you know who Nicholas Wells is?”

  I thought for a moment. “The name sounds familiar.”

  “He starred in a popular crime drama show about a decade ago, On the Edge.”

  “I think I’ve seen it on Netflix.”

  “It’s on there. It’s not a bad show, you should check it out. But anyway, I need you to do some research on Nicholas. I need to know everything about him, especially any relationships he’s had.”

  “Okay. He’s going to use our service?”

  I noticed a hint of a gleam in her eye. “I can’t really say right now, but I’ve been approached with an interesting idea that could be a huge thing for Binary Search, something that may give us national exposure.” She was practically giddy, which was so not her.

  “Do you have a timeframe in mind?”

  “Let’s say by the first of December. I’m meeting with . . . uh, some people when I return home from my honeymoon in January. Sorry to be so cryptic.”

  “I understand. I’ll get right on it.”

  “I knew I could count on you. Zander wouldn’t take it serious enough to do a good job. And I don’t have time right now.”

  “I’m happy to help.”

  “Remind me you need a raise.”

  “I won’t forget.” I headed for the door.

  “Meg.”

  “Yes?” I turned around.

  Kenadie was biting her lower lip. “Is there anything going on with you and Zander?”

  My heart pounded. “Did Zander say something?”

  She shook her head. “He’s just been acting a little out of the ordinary.”

  “How so?”

  “Maybe a little less self-centered, and he came to church.”

  “I don’t think that has anything to do with me.”

  “Hmmm. I wouldn’t be so sure. I know I’ve said this before, but be careful.”

  “We’re just friends. Maybe not even that.”

  “I used to say that about Jason.” She turned away from me and gathered up her files. I guess that was me being dismissed.

  I walked back to my office feeling a mix of emotions. Elated that Kenadie trusted me with an important assignment, intrigued about what exactly it was for, hurt because of Cara and Eva, and confused and angry at myself for my feelings in regards to Zander. And now I had my boss asking me about him.

  It was a good thing Kate agreed to have lunch with me.

  I hurried and sent out date requests to all my new clients and returned emails. I had a
couple of clients who wanted to try someone new, so I had to do some research and add them to our Friday connection meeting. It made the morning breeze by. I needed a girl’s lunch.

  Kate was coming from an appointment, so she met me at a deli near the office. I watched her walk in and several men’s heads turned. She didn’t notice. I was sure she had no idea how beautiful she was or that she had this aura of goodness that followed her. I wasn’t sure how to explain it, but you could tell she was a good person by looking at her. She caught my eye and smiled while walking over.

  “I’m glad you asked me to lunch, it’s been a while.”

  She had no idea how much that meant to me under the current circumstances. “It has. Thanks for coming.”

  She picked up a menu.

  I had already decided on what I was having—a club sandwich on whole wheat. “How are your parents?”

  She looked up from her menu and sighed. “My dad is driving my mom crazy. He still thinks he can eat and do whatever he wants after his heart attack. He decided over the weekend he was going to knock out the wall between the kitchen and the family room like my mom has been begging him to do for the last twenty years. I had to go over and calm her down and talk some sense into him. If I could bill them for all my hours of counseling as of late, I would be able to retire.” She gave me a small grin.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “They’ll be fine. I may need a vacation when it’s all said and done.”

  “I’m glad your dad is recovering.” I knew it had been touch and go, and Kate had been beside herself about it. It was the only time I had seen her defenses down.

  “Me too. So, how are you?”

  I held that thought while our server took our order, but as soon as she left, I focused back on Kate. “I’m good.”

  “Really?”

  “Am I that obvious?”

  “You seem . . . troubled.”

  “Maybe confused.”

  “What about?”

  “You see, I have this friend.”

  She grinned. “Uh-huh.”

  “And she’s great. She’s smart, well at least mostly, except maybe when it comes to men.”