Page 41 of Chasing the Dream

“Love it.”

“I remember you once said that pizza isn’t pizza without pepperoni.”

She eyed him quizzically. “You must have paid a lot more attention to me than I thought.”

You have no idea. He just smiled and then bit into his fully loaded slice with a heap of her dreaded olives piled on top.

Chapter 13

When Gabe picked Morgan up on Wednesday morning, he greeted her with a frown. “You’re wearing that?”

“I thought it might gain us some points at the meeting.” She glanced down at the black T-shirt that Bryan had given her and second-guessed herself. The tee was rather snug, but she’d thought it would prove their commitment to the project.

His gaze traveled over the rest of her outfit, and then he met her eyes. “Dressing like one of his waitresses wasn’t necessary. If it is, we don’t need his business.”

“So, we’re back to this again—you criticizing my wardrobe.”

“I don’t want him to get confused about what we’re selling.”

She squeezed her hands into fists so hard her nails dug into her palms. “Take me back home, and I’ll change then,” she snarled.

He glanced over at her and sighed. “I get why you wore it. It’s just that…”

“You’re afraid he’ll make a pass at me in the middle of a presentation with you sitting right there?”

“I’m not afraid. I just don’t want him getting the wrong idea, that’s all.”

“Let me worry about that.”

“Fine.”

They were silent for the rest of the drive to the office, and she purposely kept her gaze directed out the window. She swore she felt his eyes on her even though he was supposed to be watching the road.

He didn’t speak again until they were in the elevator, riding up to the second floor. “I’m sorry, okay?”

“Sorry for what? Criticizing my clothes or undermining my ability to do my job?”

“I’ve never questioned your abilities, Morgan.”

“So, just my judgment, then?”

The elevator doors slid open, and she stepped out first, anxious to escape him.

Usually, they were alone at this early hour, but Stefan popped up from his desk and walked over to greet them.

“Whoa, there, cowgirl! Howdy!”

“Shut up,” she hissed. She walked past him, went into her office, and slammed the door behind her.

“Stupid men!” she grumbled while she paced across the tiny office. Glancing down at her outfit again, she wondered if she’d made an error in judgment. The T-shirt alone might have been enough, but she’d also worn blue jeans, a wide brown leather belt, and the cowboy boots she’d borrowed from Maria.

She’d wanted to make a statement about their commitment to Bryan’s brand, but maybe she’d gone too far. She looked at her watch and realized it was too late. Bryan would be there within an hour, and even if she’d wanted to go back home and change, she wouldn’t dare ask Gabe to borrow his car. Besides, she didn’t want him to think that he’d won.

She took a few deep breaths, sat down at her desk, and opened the laptop. She had just enough time to review her presentation again and have a cup of coffee or three before Bryan arrived.

A few minutes later, someone knocked on her door.

“Go away,” she called.