Not since Allison had mentioned the look she’d gotten from the work-release meathead to her sister had she thought about it again. By then, she’d been so over the mortification she’d been able to see the humor in it. She admitted to and teased her sister that she thought the tattooed bad boy was kind of sexy. Of course, she left the part out about him being such an asshole he just had to point out she was still drooling the donut jelly. She hadn’t even mentioned the second run-in. Even so, Lila still didn’t think the incident was funny.
Not at all.
As usual, her sister had been instantly annoyed by what little Allison had told her about the guy putting his hand on her face to further humiliate her. When Allison tried to explain to her that she’d been practically making love to the jelly donut while this guy with a perfectly sculpted body was working out, Lila wasn’t having it. She’d immediately jumped all over Allison for her constant self-depreciation, so Allison was done talking about it—at least to her sister.
In addition to Lila’s annoyance with the guy’s rudeness, she’d been adamant that Allison not get any funny ideas when it came to doing more than just interviewing these dangerous men. Even now, weeks after the embarrassing incident, as Allison stared at her new and improved self in the mirror, she had to scoff at Lila’s unnecessary worry. Regardless of how little respect her sister seemed to have for meatheads, fact was they clearly took staying fit very seriously. The discipline alone had to count for something. It also meant no one with that kind of mentality, when it came to keeping his body in tip-top shape, would be impressed by a little makeup and a new hairdo when her out-of-shape body was still seriously lacking.
Though Allison had to admit finally stripping away those god-awful bottle-cap glasses was a huge improvement to her overall appearance. That alone would’ve been gift enough, but her sister had not only gotten her a newish car last week for her birthday, she’d also surprised her with an entire makeover—including those contacts she’d been promising her for years.
Turning sideways, Allison examined her outfit in the full-length mirror. She was grateful that at least her belly was flat enough. It wasn’t nearly as tight as Lila’s six pack, but at least it was one part of her body she had under control. If she were taller, she might appreciate the near D cups she thought made her look heavier. But unless she had a breast reduction, she couldn’t do anything about that. Turning around to look at her bubble butt again, she frowned. That she could do something about, and she had every intention to.
“Holy shit!”
The gasped exclamation had Allison jerking her eyes away from the mirror and at Drew, who’d just walked into the ladies’ room at the gym. Drew brought her hand to her mouth, her eyes practically bulging out as she took Allison in from top to bottom.
“Charlee told me about the makeover, but . . . whoa.” She shook her head, smiling big. “I didn’t expect all this.”
Allison felt her face warm, but she smiled. Drew was Charlee’s best friend. Charlee’s husband was Hector, the youngest co-owner of 5th Street. Allison had met Drew a handful of times and had since decided she really liked Drew. Unlike the other wives who were a lot older than Allison, Charlee wasn’t that much older. Hector was the youngest owner, and his wife and Drew were his age. So, it was much easier to relate to her than the other women.
“It’s just a little makeup and new hairdo.”
“Are you kidding? You look amazing! So much older too.” Drew took her in from top to bottom as she circled around Allison. “You went from this meek little girl with such a baby face anyone would mistake you for a high-school kid to sexy and sophisticated.” She shrugged. “You could probably still pass for a high-school student if you wanted. That baby face is still under the new makeup and sexy arched brows, only I’d hardly refer to you as meek now.”
Allison knew meek was Drew’s nice way of saying mousy. Allison knew exactly how she came across with those glasses so thick she could fry a grasshopper with them. But Drew was right. The new look had given her a little pep in her step she’d never had before. Even that pompous editor in her journalism class had been nicer to her lately.
Drew wasn’t heavy but often complained about being out of shape. Ever since she’d had a baby a few years ago then fell into a deep depression when her baby daddy admitted he was in love with another man, she let herself go. But she was in a new relationship now with a guy she said was perfect, and she was determined to get back into shape. So, their diet woes had bonded the two girls.
Needing to hurry to her CrossFit training, Drew promised to give Allison a call and tell her about it since it was her first day. Allison walked out into the gym and to the area where Gio said he’d be meeting her. His earlier text letting her know he’d have two guys for her to interview had inevitably reminded her of the guy who’d made no qualms of showing his distaste for her weeks ago. Gio had wanted to know if she needed more than two guys to interview.
God no. She’d said two was fine. Just thinking about it made her heart speed up, but she was glad she hadn’t seen him anywhere in the gym when she’d first walked in today. And she’d made it a point to look out for him. As big and daunting as he was, she didn’t think she could miss him. At least he hadn’t been in the same area where he’d been working out the last time.
She walked over and stood just outside one of the training rooms. Drew was in there doing her CrossFit, and it did not look like fun. But Allison was determined to at least try and get into better shape. She glanced around as Gio walked around the corner and out of sight, not sure what to do with herself.
Fortunately, her awkward alone time was fleeting because, within moments, both Lila and her major-league-baseball-star boyfriend, Sonny Sabian, arrived from different directions. Allison smiled as Sonny pecked her sister. The man was truly a heartthrob the way all the articles referred to him online and on TV. Allison was just glad Lila had gotten past her initial apprehension that, as big a celebrity as Sonny was, he could genuinely be interested in her.
“You look different,” Sonny said, taking her in just as Drew had—completely astounded by the change.
Lila told him more about who had done the makeover. She was a friend of Bianca, Gio’s wife, named Toni and was the same lady who had given Lila a makeover just weeks ago. Though of course, unlike Allison, her sister didn’t really need one. She’d just gotten done up for some ritzy charity event she’d attended with Sonny.
Sonny commented on how womanly Allison seemed now with the new look, while Lila gushed about how she seemed to be glowing. Then she made the other comment Allison hadn’t been expecting: about having seen heads turn when Allison had walked in. That had Allison laughing nervously and waving off the nonsense. But she did admit to being beyond glad to be rid of the glasses finally.
“Best damn birthday gift ever, but . . .” She eyed Lila suspiciously because it suddenly dawned on her why her sister would be there when her shift as a youth coordinator was over. “I know why you’re here, and you need to be gone. I don’t want you anywhere around, threatening these guys I’m interviewing with your evil eye. I’m already nervous enough as it is.”
She clarified that she was nervous not scared the way she knew her sister thought she should be of the big bad work-release guys. But Allison made it clear she was only nervous about botching the interview and how she needed to get it right. She’d leave out what else had her insides roiling now, the more she thought of it.
Lila assured Allison she had this and then had the nerve to say her days of snapping were long behind her. Neither Allison nor Sonny, who knew Lila too well, even attempted to keep a straight face.
Just then Gio got there. He, too, did a double take when he saw Allison. “Wow, you look different.” Allison had to giggle now as she glanced at Lila, who smiled proudly. “Bianca said the makeover had made a big difference, but I didn’t think she meant this much.”
“It’s the bottle-cap lenses being gone that make the biggest difference,” Allison said, knowing her sister was probably already annoyed at her response. “It’s what feels most different to me anyway.” She smirked before adding, “My head feels lighter.”
“They weren’t that bad. I thought you looked cute in them,” Lila shot back quickly.
“Yeah, if you’re into nerdy little bookworms with glasses so thick they could see into the future.”
Again, her sister was quick to give her a disapproving look but then turned her attention to Gio, who began explaining about the guys Allison would be interviewing. “As I explained to Allison when she interviewed me, it might be hard to get past the hardened exteriors of some of these guys, but trust me. I wouldn’t allow them around my friends and family if I couldn’t vouch for them being respectable guys just trying to change their lives.”
Allison’s insides were just beginning to knot up when she heard the cheery voice behind her. “Ready when you are, chief.”
The cheery voice gave her hope. Somehow, she just couldn’t imagine Mr. Disgusted sounding this friendly. Gio and Allison turned around to face what Lila and Sonny were already looking at, the two guys she’d be interviewing. She’d been right. It wasn’t the guy from that day who did the talking. But to her horror, Mr. Disgusted stood next to him. Allison had to refrain from gasping, especially because, up close, he was incredible. Sure, she’d give Lila he was intimidating looking as all hell, but the softer expression he wore now gave him a much less menacing appearance than that first day. Then again, he wasn’t looking at Allison this time. Of course he didn’t appear disgusted. His eyes were on her gorgeous sister instead. He hadn’t even noticed Allison.
“Hey,” Gio said, smiling. “Right on time. Here she is.”
He motioned to Allison, only before he could do any introductions, Noah, one of the other owners of the gym, rushed by on his phone, distracting Gio. “Give me a sec, guys. I gotta tell him something before he leaves.”
Gio rushed off after Noah, leaving them all standing there as both guys peered at Allison curiously. Then it happened. She saw the corner of his lip twitch, and he sized her up from top to bottom, stopping at her lips for a moment before their eyes locked.
“Jelly?”
The obvious emotion Allison should’ve felt over this was embarrassment. Except she wasn’t even sure if what hearing that deep resonant voice addressing her again did to her was an emotion. But what his eyes did to her as they bore into her had to be. She breathed in so deep her sister was already reacting to it.
Just as fast as she’d begun to quiver emotionally, her brain switched back to reality. As the heat of utter mortification rose from the back of her spine to her neck, Allison did her best to not react. She knew too well her hotheaded sister was probably already feeling a heat of a different kind scorch through her veins. As expected, Lila was first to break the uncomfortable silence. “Excuse me?”
“Yeah, it is Jelly,” the guy said, ignoring Lila yet continuing to peer at Allison.
She wasn’t sure what to make of the odd expression. It was too hard to be playful yet nowhere near the revolted one she’d been treated two weeks ago.
Allison could almost feel the heat radiate off her sister’s body. “She has a name, and it’s not Jelly, asshole.”
“Whoa!” The guy with him, who’d been just as stunned as the rest of them, laughed nervously, turning to the asshole. “Dude, what are you doing?”
Like a ray of light shining through the cloud of mortification that hovered over Allison, it suddenly came to her and she touched her sister’s arm. “Lila, no—”
“No, bullshit!” Lila said, taking a step forward, but thankfully Sonny held her back. “That’s fucking rude. Who are you to—?”
“Lila, I don’t think he means what you’re thinking,” Allison said, almost certain what the guy was referring to. It was still embarrassing but not nearly as bad as what she knew her sister was thinking.
“What are you thinking?” the guy asked with that sudden look of distaste, the same one Allison had tried in vain to forget about.
Again, thankfully, Sonny was there to intervene and took a step in front of Lila.
“That Jelly’s an offensive way to refer to someone you don’t even know.” Sonny’s words, while firm, were far calmer than her sister’s, but he made a point to stare the guy down, since he was just as big as him.
“But I do know her,” the guy retorted to Allison’s surprise.
“And you call her Jelly?” Lila asked, trying to get around Sonny, only he stood staunchly in place, not letting her. “That’s still fucking rude.”
“I don’t know what you think it means, but—”
“I know what you meant,” Allison interrupted the guy, her heart thudding when he turned and those intense eyes locked in on hers again.
I know her?
Eyeing Gio, who was on his way back, she turned to Lila with a purpose. “It’s not at all what you’re thinking. I’ll explain later.”
Allison lowered her voice, praying her still too riled up sister would just let it go. “Please go now. I can handle it from here on.”
“Why and how does he know you?” Lila asked through her teeth.
“From the last time I was here,” Allison said quickly, nudging both Lila and Sonny away.
“So, did you all get acquainted?” Gio asked as he reached them.
“Sort of,” Allison said then turned to Lila. “I’ll call you as soon as I’m done.” Her pleading expression willed her sister to just believe she’d be fine and go. Then she mouthed the words, “I promise.”
Shooing her sister and Sonny, who finally complied and walked away, she turned back to Gio and the two guys. Unlike earlier, it now appeared that he was avoiding making any eye contact with her. When Gio asked if they’d exchanged names and Allison informed him that they hadn’t, the guy even looked away when Gio began the introductions.
“Allison Rico, this is Rodney Henson,” Gio said, pointing at the other guy, then motioned to him, who was still glancing around indifferently, so unlike when he first laid eyes on her minutes ago. “And this is Leonardo Ledesma.”
Leonardo met Allison’s eyes for just a moment. The slightest nod followed without so much as a hint of that near smirk he’d worn earlier as he glanced away again. Aside from his name, she didn’t know a thing about him. Yet already it was clear that his reaction to her today was uncharacteristic for him. His barely there acknowledgment, which now felt obligatory for Gio’s sake, was more like him.
“From my own experience with interviews, I know there’s a lot of stuff discussed off the record,” Gio explained as much to Allison as she did to the two men. “So, for privacy reasons, Allison will be interviewing you in the boardroom separately.”
Good Lord, she’d be all alone with Leonardo now. Somehow, Allison had expected the informal interview to take place in the break room again, with people walking in and out around them. Maybe somewhere even more public like one of the tables by the juice bar. To her utter relief, Rodney volunteered to go first. She thought she’d prepared enough, but this changed everything. Both men were tatted and as hard-looking as Gio had described, but for whatever reason, Leonardo unnerved her to no end. She needed a moment to get herself together.
“Oh, wait. I have that call with my PO,” Rodney said with a grimace, making Allison’s heart thud, and she instantly panicked.
PO? Call? What?
“That’s right,” Gio said as they all walked together toward the boardroom. “That’s cool. This works out.” He turned to Allison as he opened a door to a darkened room then flicked the lights on just inside the doorway. “You can interview Leonardo first.”
Allison walked into the room, gulping so thunderously she was sure they’d all heard. Adding to her already altered nerves, Gio didn’t even walk in with them. She turned just as she reached the long boardroom table. Gio was standing at the door still, and Leonardo pulled out the chair directly across from where she stood.
“There’s water bottles in the fridge over in the corner if you need one,” Gio said with a big smile as Allison nodded, walking over to the fridge. “I’ll close the door so you can have some privacy. Just send Leonardo out to fetch Rodney when you’re done with him.”
Allison thanked him then turned to Leonardo when the door closed behind Gio. “You wanna a water?”
“I’m good.”
She walked back toward the table, taking subtle but deep breaths as she pulled out the seat directly in front of Leonardo and sat down. This time Allison avoided looking up from her notebook, focusing instead on keeping her hands from shaking. When she finally had to glance up, he was eyeing her, not in that appalled way he had the first time. Only it still held an air of displeasure—irritation even.
Focusing on her breathing so he wouldn’t pick up on just how intimidated she was by him, Allison looked him straight in those intense eyes. What would Lila do? Clearly, her sister had already proven, no matter how big and daunting this guy was, she was not intimidated by him. That’s when Allison’s first question for him came to her.
Swallowing hard, she lifted her chin and tried desperately to muster some of her sister’s strength. “You know me?”
The panicked flash in his eyes was so fast Allison would’ve missed it, had her own eyes not been inescapably glued to his. But like with everything else when it came to this man, she had no idea what to make of it because, just as fast, his brows furrowed and the expression of utter displeasure he’d worn earlier went even more severe.