Free The Perfect Fit (Riley O'Brien & Co. #2.5) by Jenna Sutton

apartment and carefully descended the front steps in her heels.
    The cab driver didn’t bother to open the car door for her, but she still felt like a princess … a very uncomfortable princess. Apparently, evening gowns were designed for standing, not sitting.
    To her relief, the drive to the Four Seasons didn’t take long. Located in the heart of the SoMa district, the luxury hotel was right across the street from Yerba Buena Gardens, an eighty-seven-acre urban garden.
    The Pictures & Paws event was being held in the Veranda Ballroom and Terrace. When she arrived on the fifth floor, the space was already packed with people, all of them garbed in colorful evening gowns or sleek tuxedos.
    She had never attended an event like this, but she squared her shoulders and reminded herself that she had just as much right to be here as anyone else, maybe more. She was educated and licensed to care for the animals everyone professed to love so much.
    Hundreds of pictures decorated the walls, a mixture of black-and-white and color images hanging from metal rods. Most of the photos featured animals. She wished she had the money to bid on and win a couple of the pictures, but she was still trying to rebuild her rainy-day fund.
    She took her time getting to the tables reserved for Bay Area Animal Care, enjoying the lively atmosphere. She had just removed her wrap and dropped it on one of the chairs when she heard her name.
    Turning, she spotted Jenny hurrying across the room, as fast as her tight red dress would allow. Her shiny black hair swung around her face, revealing glimpses of sparkly, dangly earrings.
    Jenny hugged her. “You look gorgeous,” the petite woman gushed, her almond-shaped eyes wide with obvious admiration. “Where did you get your dress?”
    “At this tiny consignment shop on Sacramento Street. I can’t remember the name of it.”
    “I can never find anything good at those kinds of shops.”
    Margo smiled wryly. She doubted Jenny had ever stepped into a consignment shop or thrift store. Her family was extremely wealthy, and her father spoiled his only daughter shamelessly. She worked at the clinic because she loved animals, not because she needed the money.
    “And I love your hair,” Jenny added. “I never see it in anything but a ponytail.”
    “That’s not true. Sometimes I wear it in a braid.”
    Her friend laughed. “I like it better this way. It’s so glamorous … like the hairstyles in the 1940s. Very Agent Carter.”
    “Thank you.” Margo frowned. “Who’s Agent Carter?”
    “You know, from the Marvel comics. World-class spy. Captain America’s girlfriend.”
    Margo nodded. “Oh, right.”
    “So, where’s your roomie? I can’t wait to meet him.”
    Margo had mentioned Zeke to Jenny a couple of times. Okay, more than a couple of times. She talked about him incessantly.
    Suddenly, a horrifying thought occurred to her. She’d never told Jenny that she had feelings for Zeke.
    What if Jenny flirted with Zeke? What if he liked it? What if her co-worker and her roommate clicked?
    Margo lightly touched the other woman’s forearm. “Jenny…” she began, but stopped when she couldn’t figure out the best way to articulate her feelings. She really wanted to say: Hands off. He’s mine.
    Jenny met Margo’s gaze, her face openly curious. After a moment, her glossy red lips curled into a smile.
    “Don’t worry, Margo. I’m not going to poach on your territory.”
    “He’s not my territory,” she admitted reluctantly.
    “But you want him to be.” Jenny smiled knowingly. “Isn’t that why you invited him tonight and wore a dress like that?”
    She nodded. “I want him to notice me as a woman, not just an androgynous roommate,” she confided.
    “Oh, he’ll definitely notice you. And he won’t be the only one, either. No guy could overlook you in that dress.” She laughed, the husky sound edged with wickedness. “This should be a very entertaining evening.”
    ****
    A third person