“I don’t take rejection very well,” he said.

“Eric. I didn’t reject you,” Tanner said defensively.

“Oh, no? When I heard that you were angling to date Hanson Whitley, that’s exactly what it felt like to me. Didn’t he get you an apartment in the Sundome? That’s real convenient for him having his squeeze living in the building.” Eric folded his arms while he waited for her answer.

Tanner furrowed her brow. Her eyes darted back and forth across the elevator floor while she thought about her answer. “I didn’t know you felt that way. I am very sorry. Being a bit of a flirt is something you develop as a necessary skill in this business.”

“A flirt and a flake,” Eric added.

Tanner nodded in acknowledgement. “The Sundome apartment? Yes. He helped me get it, but it was because he wanted a high profile newsperson available around the clock. VAMP is a risky business endeavor just ripe for a public relations mishap. His spin-doctors work around the clock. When they want or need to spread some good cheer or put out a fire, I’m their conduit to the public.”

“What about dating Whitley?”

“I’ll admit. I was interested in him because I thought he was interested in me. Come on. What woman wouldn’t be? As it turned out, he was just wining and dining me to take the assignment. I was disappointed to find out that he wasn’t interested, but at least I got the free apartment.”

“Disappointed, huh?” Eric asked.

“Yeah,” she replied.

45