Kenny smiled at Dana and said, "Looks like we're here."
Dana rolled her eyes but couldn't help faking a smile for some reason. She opened the car door and stepped out, Kenny quickly joining her.
"So I'll pick you up after you close from work, right?" he asked, a hint of subtle flirtation in his voice.
In her mind, Dana thought, 'What's with this guy? Annoying loverboy.'
She kept her thoughts to herself, though, and replied out loud, "Oh, of course, if you're available. I really appreciate you coming to pick me up after work."
Kenny nodded, smiling to himself. "No worries," he replied, his cheeks flushing slightly.
This was the effect that Dana had, and has always had on him.
Yesterday, He was taken aback when she told him that he was the only person she could count on, but it also made him feel honored and trusted. He had never felt this way about anyone before.
The night after that conversation, when Dana mentioned that she had nowhere else to stay, he offered her his room while he spent the night at his neighbor's house. He wanted to be a gentleman, and his heart was definitely in support.
Actually, Dana had told Kenny that she wouldn't feel comfortable sleeping in the same house as him, and he respected her wishes. Gigolo!
The next morning, he bought her a new dress to wear and prepared a simple breakfast for her. He felt a sense of pride as a man - rather, as her man, he felt.
It was the first time she had stayed with him in over ten years of knowing each other.
They pulled up in front of a large entertainment studio, where Dana claimed she now worked at.
Kenny smiled at her and said, "Best of luck today! Break a leg!"
Dana rolled her eyes, but still faked a smile for whatever sake. "Yeah, yeah, yeah," she replied leisurely, then waved her hand and said, "See you later, silly Kenny."
She turned on her heel and headed into the building, a spring in her step while Kenny watched her go, feeling a mixture of emotions: pride, satisfaction, and a strange sense of loss. He hoped it was a new beginning of their relationship.
(A/N: What relationship? Vance is using you through your crush. Sigh.)
Just as Dana reached the door, something occurred to her, and her eyes widened in alarm. "Oh no. It's bladder-easing time. Damn," she cursed under her breath, realizing that she needed to use the restroom urgently.
She turned back around, coming face to face with Kenny, who was looking at her with a questioning expression.
"Hey, why aren't you going in?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern. But he noticed something was off about her demeanor, and his brow furrowed with worry.
Dana couldn't help but think, 'How should I tell him to… he'd consider it an invitation!'
The need to use the restroom was becoming increasingly urgent, and Dana felt her legs beginning to shake. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain calm, and walked over to Kenny.
Her voice was a bit shaky as she took his hand in hers and said, "Come with me."
Kenny felt like he was floating on air. He had never imagined that he would be walking into a building with her, let alone one where she worked.
As they walked side by side, he tried to contain his excitement, but inside he was bursting with joy. 'She's finally seeing me as more than a friend!' he thought to himself, a goofy grin spreading across his face.
But he made sure to keep his composure, not wanting to do or say anything that might ruin the moment.
The moment they stepped through the doors, they were met by a receptionist, who smiled at Kenny and said, "Hello, how can I help you?"
The receptionist's gaze then turned to and lingered on Dana, and her happy expression changed to a gloomy one.
Vance, who had lived over thirty years in his life, observed the situation through Dana's eyes and detected an undercurrent of jealousy in the receptionist's expression.
Vance's intuition was confirmed when the receptionist asked, "Who are you?" Her tone was curt, and she seemed almost hostile towards Dana.
(A/N: ????)
But Dana's patience was beginning to wear thin, but she knew she had to keep her cool. "Please," she said, her voice strained, "where is the restroom?"
The receptionist then replied coldly, sounding irritated. "Are you here to use the restroom or meet someone?"
'Ah, I hate rude and gutsy ugly women,' Vance thought in Dana's mind, 'Is she even aware that she's as ugly as a quack quack ducky?' referring to the receptionist.
Dana fumed. She was ready to raise her voice to that receptionist, but Kenny intervened, saying, "Please, she works here. She's a worker here. She's just asking for directions to the restroom because I think..."
Kenny trailed off as he finally realized that Dana was actually in urgent need. But that wasn't a reason for her to invite him in, right? Perhaps she was pressed, yes, but maybe she still had feelings for him if she invited him.
Pushing that thought aside, Kenny continued, speaking to the receptionist, "I think she wanted to use the restroom. But believe me, she's a worker here."
The receptionist's expression remained impassive. "I don't care," she said coldly. "I don't recognize her as a member of our staff. If she's truly an employee, she should contact her employer for help."
She stared at Dana, her eyes filled with suspicion. "I don't believe you're really a worker here," she said, her tone implying that she thought this was all a ruse. "My IQ is over 80. You're not fooling me," she added, folding her arms across her chest.
(A/N: Just 80? LMAO)
Dana's temper finally snapped. "That's it!" she exclaimed, slamming her hands on the table in a burst of anger and annoyance.
"If you don't let me use the restroom, I'm going to pee on myself right here," she said, her voice rising with frustration. "And if that happens, I'll shove my hand down your skirt and give you the biggest wedgie you've ever had in your life!"
WHAT????
Kenny and the receptionist were both caught off guard by Dana's outburst. It was a bit much to threaten another woman with a wedgie, even if she was in a desperate situation.
Kenny cleared his throat, trying to defuse the tension. "That's a bit extreme, don't you think?" he asked, his voice gentle but firm.
But Dana shook off his words, her anger bubbling over like hotpot. "I told you not to call me Dana!" she snapped, her voice rising in volume and pitch. "I said to call me Red!"