Ainsley liked to have power over Ian. It gave her confidence. She refused to be a whining relationship girl, so when he told her she was busy on Saturday night she stopped by Rhys' desk.

"Sorry, hun, we're going out with Terry's work friends and before you ask, none are single."

"I wasn't asking."

Rhys laughed. "You always ask. Tell me about this week's dates."

"I didn't go on any. I can't believe Lilli didn't call you."

"Why?" Rhys walked away from his drawing table. "To tell me you're having sex with a hotty, you won't tell her about."

"What's to tell we aren't serious? My story only mirrors Lilli because I lusted him before we ever spoke. There will be no 'I do' in my future."

"What's with you and marriage?"

"It's unnecessary. Besides, you aren't copying our newlyweds."

"We're happy being uncles to the brood from Terry's siblings."

"See you think like me. Marriage is for kids. I'm not meant to push booger faced kids out of my body."

Rhys chortled. "You are full of crap. You like kids!"

"Yeah, someone else's who I can wind up and give back. You like them too?"

"I love kids, but adoption or surrogacy doesn't interest me. Maybe when I grow up."

"You're thirty-two."

"I know. Talk to me at forty. Terry has enough kids without wanting his own."

"See we're not that different. It's a double standard because I'm not gay."

Rhys shook his head. "There's a difference. You fear commitment; Terry and I are a couple without the legal document."

"But lots of people fought for your right to marry. You're letting them down." Ainsley dug in her heels.

"It's an option if we want it, but for now we're happy."

"Fine. For now, I'm happy having great sex."

"Great! Good for you." Ainsley smiled thinking of the night before. "Get out of the bedroom, girlfriend."

"Maybe I'll see what Lilli's doing."

"They're going to Maine."

Zach and Lilli rarely stayed home on the weekend. Ainsley would binge something and enjoy her unencumbered life.

When she returned to her desk. Henry had a huge smile, as he said, "Catrina was looking for you."

Her boss didn't hold a tight rein. The department was full of professionals. Plus, Ainsley had eaten at her desk while Henry disappeared for an hour. She couldn't remember the last time she took a full hour.

She resisted the urge to stick out her tongue at him as she walked to Catrina's office. "Ainsley, hi. Henry didn't have the details on the arrangements for the Gibbons media blitz."

"I have an update almost ready to send. I was waiting to hear from advertising."

"Sounds like you're on it."

She nodded. "I do my best."

Catrina smiled. "I have to leave early, and I trust you and Henry can get along in my absence."

"I try. Honestly, I do."

When she returned to her desk. Henry and Nina were talking to Rachel, who was Catrina's young assistant. At Roche-Sumner most employees started in the entry level assistant position. Ainsley had and did her best to mentor Rachel.

"I haven't tried it," Nina said.

"It's great."

Rachel looked at Henry and licked her lips. "We should go sometime. The group of us."

Henry looked at her. "Have you been to the new dessert bar, Douglas? You like chocolate."

"No." She tried to ignore the chatting as she sat at her desk.

Henry looked over. "Trouble with the boss?"

"Nope, but you could have updated her."

"I have no idea what's going on."

"Because you let me do everything and didn't read the status document."

"If you want to do all the work, who am I to stop you? It's still a team project." She glared, and he threw his hands up. "Fine. Do you want to meet now you're back from your disappearing act?"

Catrina walked through with her bag over her shoulder. "See you in the morning."

Once their boss left, Ainsley pointed at him. "You purposely had to get that dig in."

"Whose ass were you kissing a Roche or a Sumner? Oh, I forgot you met the author."

"Grow up! I took a twenty-minute lunch break. It's none of your business where I was. I couldn't care less where you go for an hour every day. I promised Catrina I will keep things under control this afternoon."

Henry's head jerked backwards as if she slapped him. "I was hired for my experience."

"Good for you. I prefer hard work. I heard a rumor that you knew someone to help get you an interview." Ainsley couldn't remember what JJ had said, but it was second or third hand information by the time it got to her.

"I worked at HMH. You couldn't get a job there if you tried."

"I don't need to. I'm very happy here at Roche-Sumner. Did you want to meet? If not, I'd like to get back to work. I have plans tonight."

Rachel chuckled. "Ainsley swiped right again."

Henry looked at her long and hard. She felt uncomfortable, unsure of what he was thinking. "As long as you don't talk, it should go okay."

She was ready to pounce just as her phone rang. "Ainsley Douglas."

"Do you want a companion on the way home?"

She smiled. "Quarter after?"

"Sounds good. I'll be loitering in front of the building."

"I have to go." She hung up and turned to Henry. "Ready to review Nancy's plans?"

Nina snickered. Ainsley turned to her friend. "What?"

"He likes you."

Ainsley smiled. "I told you we aren't serious, but he's becoming a good friend."

Nina shook her head and lowered her voice as her eyes darted. "No. Him." She lifted her chin towards Henry's desk.

Ainsley's eyes grew large. "No way." Thankfully Henry was busy shuffling through papers on his desk.

Ainsley moved to Nina's desk. "He's a jackass to me."

Nina smiled. "Only you. Follow me."

Ainsley stepped behind Nina who pushed on the restroom door. Ainsley briefly thought of Lilli crying.

"You're crazy he doesn't like me."

Nina smiled. "He's been pulling your proverbial ponytail. I know I'm right."

"It doesn't matter. I don't like him."

"He can be sweet."

"I don't care. He's annoying and I'm dating."

Nina laughed. "You just said you weren't serious.'

"It's complicated, but tonight, we will have seen each other six out of seven nights. I enjoy spending time with him. The jerk out there can't compete. Dreamy is so out of his league."

"Dreamy? He doesn't have a name. Did you make him up? I know you've had a string of bad dates."

"No! He is very real and has a name."

"Really? Is it awful?"

Ainsley stood with her hands on her hips. "No, it's a nice name. I have to go. The jerk will look for me."

When the two emerged together, Henry scowled. Ainsley said, "We both had the same salad for lunch. It gave us the shits." Henry took a step backwards. "Conference room?"

"You're not sick?"

"Nope. I feel great now." Out of the corner of her eye, JJ walked towards her smiling. She didn't need him exposing her. "Good afternoon, Mr. Sumner."

He scowled before nodding. "Ms. Douglas. Hi Nina and..." He looked at Henry.

"Henry, sir." He stepped forward and offered JJ his hand.

Ainsley bit her tongue to not laugh as JJ shook his hand. "James Sumner."

Henry looked like he met a prince. James was a nice guy, but seriously flawed for choosing Violet.

Nina said, "How's your beautiful wife."

Ainsley was ready to have one less friend. "She's doing great. Thanks for asking. She just found out her sister is seeing someone."

Lillian! Nina smiled. "How lovely."

James walked away while Ainsley threw invisible darts at her friend. Henry's smile competed with the efficiency lighting. "He's so nice. I hope he remembers me."

Ainsley sighed. "He's married. He won't ask you out."

"What's his wife like?"

Me. "Not your type. Come on. It's almost your quitting time."

Once in the conference room, she calculated her day couldn't get any worse. Proverbial ponytail. "Henry, can we attempt to get along?"

He nodded. "Let's get this done."

"Good, because I have a date tonight."

"Another blind date."

"No. I'm seeing someone."

He frowned "Really?"

She nodded. "I'm making dinner for him tonight." Or tomorrow, they hadn't pinned it down.

"We're here to discuss the Gibbons book."

Ainsley started updating him on what she had done. He looked up at her. "What about using an influencer?"

Ainsley shook her head. "Our demographic is older."

"Ah, but look." He pulled out his phone.

When she read his screen, she was forced to smile. "I didn't know there were older influencers. I think we should look into it. OMG! My mother is on TikTok. Nancy has just the right personality to get a huge following."

It was the best news she had all day. She smiled when she stepped onto the sidewalk. Ian smiled back. "Good day?"

"Nope, but it ended okay."

He smiled, and they fell in step together.

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