Thank you so much for reading - I appreciate all the reviews! Here's the next chapter - enjoy! :)

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Betty immediately ran out of MODE and took her lunch break at a deli close by. After she had calmed down a little, she sat back and actually thought about what had happened. She couldn't believe she had slapped Daniel – at work, no less.

"Oh my god, he's going to fire me!" she realized, muttering under her breath.

No wait – he couldn't. He was the one who barged into the ladies room and invaded her privacy, then kissed her against her will. Well, not completely against her will – she had to admit that kissing Daniel was becoming extremely enjoyable once initiated - but enough to where she wouldn't be lying if it came down to that and her job.

What was she going to do? She couldn't face him, now – not after that. But how the hell was she supposed to avoid him? Sure, she wasn't his assistant anymore; she wasn't forced to constantly be by his side. However, she still worked for him. She guessed she could just converse with Wilhelmina if she was in desperate need of guidance until everything blew over.

Hopefully Daniel would have it all forgotten by tomorrow – or at least by the end of the week. Shouldn't be that hard – he usually couldn't even remember birthdays unless they were burned into his brain or he bought the present and dropped it off six months in advance.

She smiled, remembering the time she thought Daniel had forgotten her birthday, and it turned out he had personally gone all the way to Queens to leave the present with Papi months ahead of time, knowing he'd forget if he didn't. It was one of the sweetest things he had ever done for her - not to mention how thoughtful the gift itself had been.

He had actually taken the time to find something he knew she would love, instead of the usual generic gifts he got everyone else, including his family – she knew, because she was the one who had to order them. And the inscription he wrote to her . . . Betty started to melt all over again.

Why did she want to steer clear of him? She couldn't think straight. She was torn by what an amazing and caring man he was, how irresistible she suddenly found him, and by what happened after the meeting. What went on in the bathroom couldn't have meant anything, could it? If it did, why did Daniel say what he said to Wilhelmina when he thought she wasn't listening? But then again, why would he tell her all of those wonderful things and fight like hell to make her listen to him if he didn't mean them.

Sure, Daniel was a great liar, but he'd never lied to her. Why would he kiss her like that – like he wanted her, like he cared about her, like he really meant it – if he didn't? What was the point of leading her on, knowing the truth would come out eventually? Was he really stupid enough or cruel enough to do that to her? She didn't know anything anymore. She just kept going around in circles, analyzing the situation to death. She absently swirled the cream around in her coffee, until her phone brought her out of her daze.

"Hey, Hilda. What's up?" Betty half-heartedly answered.

"Ok, never mind why I called – what's wrong with you?" Hilda inquired.

"Oh, nothing. Except . . . Daniel kissed me – twice." Betty hesitantly confessed.

"Whaaaat? Are you serious? Oh my god – Betty that's so great! It's about time – " Hilda squealed.

"No, Hilda – it's not great. And what do mean by -" Betty got interrupted by her overzealous sister.

"Oh, no! It was on the top of your head - or your cheek – like platonic or something?" Hilda guessed, disappointedly.

"No . . . No - they were definitely real, full-on, make-you-weak-in-the-knees, leave-you-wanting-more kisses." Betty sighed.

"So what the hell is your problem? Stop talking to me and go grab Daniel and get yourself some more lip action . . ." she teased.

"Hilda!" Betty protested.

"What? I'm just sayin'. I mean, if you wanna pass up a perfectly good opportunity to make out with your sexy new man . . ." Hilda continued.

"He's not my man! And it's not that simple," Betty stopped her.

"Aah – but you didn't deny that he's sexy . . ." Hilda couldn't resist.

"I didn't say he was either. Now stop twisting my words and help me!" Betty demanded, exasperated at this point.

"Okay. Okay. Okay. So, why are you not excited about this?" Hilda curiously asked.

"Because he doesn't feel anything for me," Betty answered.

"He said that to you?" Hilda asked, in disbelief.

"No, I overheard him talking to Wilhelmina. She asked him and his exact words were, 'No! Definitely not even close!'" Betty said.

"Chica, this is Wilhelmina Slater we're talking about here. From the stories you and Justin have told me, she's a total bitch with a capital B. Do you honestly think Daniel wanted to advertise anything to her?" Hilda laughed.

"Well, no – and neither did I. That's why when he jumped to defend me to her I tried to stop him," Betty admitted.

"Whoa – he defended you to her?" Hilda tried to add up the facts.

"Yeah . . . but that was before I left - before he thought I couldn't hear him," Betty added.

"Okay . . . I'm not getting a full picture here, yet. Daniel's the one who kissed you – twice – but then he said he didn't have any feelings for you? So, when did you guys kiss? Was it awkward or something? How did it happen?" Hilda asked, still confused.

"Alright – I'll tell you, but you have to save your comments 'til I'm done, or we'll never get through this conversation," Betty made Hilda promise.

"Deal," her sister agreed.

"Daniel's been coming over a lot, lately. He's been having trouble dealing with his illegitimate brother, Tyler, and the fact that his mom hid it from him for 30 years. Last night, we were watching movies and playing games since he didn't feel like talking. We must've fallen asleep during the last movie. We woke up together on the couch this morning . . ." Betty knew it was taking everything for Hilda to control herself.

Shockingly, she didn't say a word.

"And I fell off from the shock of realizing I had slept directly on top of him and ended up hitting my head on the coffee table. Daniel helped take care of my cut and it just sort of happened. It was like nothing I've ever felt before – so incredible . . . so natural – like we were meant to do this all along . . . But then I blurted out Wilhelmina's name, started yammering on about being late for a presentation, and literally shoved him out the door," Betty regretfully confessed.

There was still silence on the other end.

"You can talk now," Betty told Hilda.

"Why would you do that?" Hilda flipped out at her.

"I don't know – I don't know! I freaked out! I mean this is Daniel we're talking about here. He's my best friend – he's my boss – he's – he's . . ." Betty trailed off.

"More than that?" Hilda added.

"Yeah . . ." Betty slowly admitted.

"So what happened after he talked to Wilhelmina?" Hilda asked.

"He found me blubbering in the restroom and I tried to kick him out. He told me how amazing I was, that any guy would be lucky to be with me, and I tried to walk away. I wouldn't listen to him, so he kissed me. And then I slapped him and stormed out," Betty confessed.

"You slapped him? Betty! What the hell were you thinking?" Hilda exclaimed.

"I don't know – I wasn't, I guess," Betty regretfully admitted.

"Damn straight, you weren't! God, Betty why are you pushing Daniel away? The poor man obviously feels something more for you, even if he's not willing to publicly admit it yet. But he has done practically everything but spell it out to you," Hilda tried to give Betty some perspective.

"Really?" Betty asked, unsure.

"Yes, really. Ay! As many relationships as you've had, you'd think you'd get the picture by now . . ." Hilda digressed.

"Yeah, but this is Daniel – it's different. We know each other - probably too well. I know his type – and I'm not even in the same vicinity. I've witnessed all of his relationships within the past four years. I've given him guidance when he needed it. I've been there to pick up the pieces when each one of them fell apart. I'm his go-to girl for advice - not the girl he wants to use it on," Betty informed Hilda.

"Yeah, but maybe that's a good thing. Maybe Daniel's finally changing. Maybe he's realizing you are his type; that he's experienced enough heartache to know he needs to try something different – be with someone different," Hilda contemplated.

"Maybe . . . I don't know . . ." Betty considered her sister's theory.

"Look, if you feel anything for Daniel, you need to get off your cute ass and talk to him before it's too late," Hilda advised.

"I guess you're right. Thanks, Hilda! I'll call you later," Betty hung up her phone, as she quickly headed back to the office.

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Daniel sat in his office, his cheek still burning. When Betty once told him she was from Queens so she knew how to hit, she wasn't kidding. But what stung even more was his pride. Why was she so mad at him? He stood up for her, he did everything he could to make her see how much he cared . . . how much he didn't want to see her hurt.

Couldn't she see how amazing she was? Or was she just not into him? He knew she had always looked down on his player ways. But he had changed. He didn't want to be like that anymore. She and Molly had helped him see that, made him better; made him want more than just a meaningless one-night stand.

He still didn't know what it meant – the kisses, the urges, the way she was constantly on his mind . . . he couldn't really define it. But he knew that fighting with her was never bearable. Maybe all of this was a mistake. They were amazing as friends, she was his right-hand man – er - woman at work, was whatever this was between them worth risking?

He thought back to all the times she had been there for him; how many times she had saved his ass, let him cry on her shoulder or puke on her shoes. How many times she let him just – be; just sit or stand next to him without saying anything or expecting him to, just her presence being enough. How many times she had dropped everything to come running to his side, risked her relationships, her job – for him.

He mused. She got so pissed at him sometimes when she found out why he had called. He honestly didn't know why he did it sometimes – except he just needed her opinion or wanted her company but couldn't think of a better excuse. He then thought back to that morning, her lying innocently asleep on top of him, how good it felt to hold her; be that close to her. And when he kissed her – damn . . .

"Here, you look like you could use this," Amanda strutted into Daniel's office holding an ice pack and handed it to him.

"What? Oh, thanks," Daniel said, jolted out of his thoughts.

"We told you she was in a bitchy mood . . . So . . . are we still on for tonight?" she seductively sat on the edge of his desk, and played with his tie. Daniel put down the ice pack and straightened his tie.

"Amanda . . . I think we need to talk," he began.

"It's Betty, isn't it?" Amanda assumed.

"Why would you think that?" he asked.

"Oh, come on, Daniel. You know I'm not a rocket scientist, but anyone can see she's the yin to your yang," she answered.

"Huh?" Daniel didn't understand.

"The pants to your Armani suit, she's your Marc - except at least you two have a shot at something more," Amanda explained as best as she could.

"Really? This is Betty we're still talking about, right?" Daniel looked at her skeptically.

"Don't give me that B.S.! I've seen the way you always look at her, how you are when you're with her. Sure, it's never really been a screw-me-right-here-right-now thing - it was better than that; like you loved and cared about her. The way I wish someone would look at me . . ." Amanda looked at the floor.

"Amanda –" Daniel felt sorry for her.

"No – it's ok. Really – because I think I've found a potential someone, too," she smiled, hesitantly.

"Really? That's great! Who is he?" Daniel was happy for her.

"It's Tyler," she answered.

"What? Amanda! Do you know how twisted that is? How could you even –" he started flipping out.

"You're doing it again," Amanda sighed.

"What?" Daniel was oblivious.

"You're being a douche! You don't want me, but no one else can have me? That's totally unfair – stop being such an ego-maniac!" she insisted.

"I'm not –" he shouted, then lowered his voice, remembering they were still at the office. "I'm not being an ego-maniac. I don't care who you're with as long as you're happy – and it's not Tyler."

"Awww . . . you really care. That's so sweet! But I'm not going to stop seeing Tyler. He does make me happy and I really think we could be the next Brangelina – you know, minus the affairs and rumors and crap. I mean, he's a Meade – well not technically but still - and he's a Hartley, and I'm Fey freakin' Sommers' daughter. We're already celebrity royalty. And we have stuff in common – besides the mind-blowing sex - did I just say that out loud?" Amanda blithely continued to gush.

"Amanda, it's okay," Daniel chuckled.

"I'm glad you've found someone . . . Even if it is Tyler," he hesitated. "Just promise that you'll call me the second he hurts you. I wanna be the first one in line to kick his ass!"

"Promise," she slyly smiled and hugged him, then whispered in his ear. "Now go get your hot Mexican Mama," she teased.

"I don't know . . ." Daniel wavered.

Amanda grabbed his hand.

"Okay, as much as I don't wanna picture you two doing the Mattress Mambo or whatever, you guys really have something. And Betty's my girl Bestie – so don't screw it up, or I'll have to kick your ass!" she warned him.

"Okay. Just promise me you won't say anything to anyone – including Marc – until Betty and I figure things out?" he begged Amanda, knowing she and Marc were the biggest gossips in the world.

"I swear on my red sling-back Jimmy Choos," she kissed his cheek and slowly let go of his hand as she walked out of his office, giving him one last flirtatious look.

Daniel smiled and shook his head as he watched Amanda leave.

But then he looked over and noticed Betty staring at him through the glass wall, a look of disappointment and hurt on her face. After catching his eyes, she immediately ran off. Daniel ran after her, calling her name.

"Betty – wait!" he pleaded.

She ran faster, but he finally caught up with her at the elevator. She frantically kept pressing the Close button, with no use. Daniel managed to pry the doors open and slip inside. She was stuck.