A pile of wallpaper books was my only shield. In the open, trying to be productive, I waited for the shoe to drop.

As nice as Mrs. Sumner was, Amanda would ruin me. My mind had already followed it through while I tossed and turned all night. I would return home in disgrace. My Dad and Tricia would take me in and whisper behind my back. Tricia would feed me and I'd become fat and lonely with my cat remembering the old days when I lived in Boston. No respectable firm would hire me, and I'd end up a kitchen consultant at Home Depot.

Rex looked over at me every five minutes with pity. "We're drinking tonight."

I had refused to have a drink when I arrived home dazed. My arms stung as I climbed in bed and pulled the covers over my head. I should have worn long sleeves, but the scratches needed air and antibiotics periodically.

Well past lunch with the end of the day in sight, my mind was on blueberry martinis. Reapplying the greasy antibiotic ointment to my wounds, I remembered Oliver's gentle touch. He was so close I could smell his male scent. My insides were jumbled with nervous tingles and sensual waves. His head was bent and I could see the different colors in his hair, including shades of brown. Would the sun bleach it by July again? Not that I'd be around to see it.

Unable to think of Oliver, I switched to my internal pep talk. I kept telling myself to hold my head high when I got escorted out. My concentration was on the raised five inch parallel lines on each arm, when the shrill sound hit my ear.

"It's all your fault."

Looking up, the sour pout on Amanda's face rivaled a four-year-olds, but kids were cute. I wanted to puke. My life was over. Instead, I flashed a grin sweeter than the sundaes I made in high school.

"Amanda, can I help you?"

Her face scrunched up. "Help me! You ruined everything. What did you say to Oliver?"

I shrugged, not willing to admit a thing. I stretched out my arms. "I promised I wouldn't sue. Although it was your fault. Why doesn't Oreo like you? Did you step on her tail?"

Her face had turned an unattractive purple. "That animal is a savage."

The swirling in my belly was about to win, as I put on the show of my life. "Oliver calls her his baby. I wonder if he would choose you over his kitten."

She was poised to slap me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Rex's phone and refused to cower. After tripping twice and being scratched, I could take more.

"Oliver will choose me. Let's see how you feel when I'm kissing him and you're the hired help. You can lose sleep wondering what his lips feel like."

The words I already know were about to vomit out of my uncensored mouth. Rex coughed, drawing my attention.

"Amanda, I thought he was looking for a designer, not a um..." He cleared his throat. "He's a man who will go after what he wants."

Amanda's voice bounced off the walls. "He wanted me until you got in my way!" She raised her arm as I braced myself.

"Amanda!"

The commanding voice turned every head, and Rex put down his phone. Carol Keene stood with her hands on her hips.

Her voice softened as Amanda lowered her arm. "Mandy, take the rest of the day."

Rex coughed. I gave him a stink eye. If it wasn't happening to me, it would be funny.

Carol's attention turned to me. "Emma, I'd like to speak with you."

My legs wobbled like a newborn giraffe as I stood. Willing one step, then another, I followed Carol. Behind me was the faint humming of 'Taps'. No doubt, Rex was recording my Dead Man Walking scene.

In the boss's large office. I was too focused on not crying to appreciate the impeccable design. Keene Designs' reputation hinged on Carol's talent. She was not immune to hard work and would never cut corners. Aside from favoring her niece, I respected her.

"I received a call from Alicia Sumner. Contrary to the report Amanda gave, it seems they were not happy with the designs."

I looked at her, unsure if it was a question.

"She was impressed with you. She said you had made some suggestions off the cuff."

I sat up straighter. Off the cuff was not a weekend of nonstop work.

"Did you share your ideas with Amanda?"

I shook my head. "She wasn't receptive."

The older woman put her finger on the corner of her thin mouth as she studied me. I held my shoulders up against my desire to cower. Her eyes landed on my arms. I had folded my sweaty palms in my lap.

"What happened to your arms?"

I look down with a flash memory of tender fingers.

"Mr. Sumner's cat got spooked as I held her."

She nodded. "Why were you left alone with the clients?"

"Mr. Sumner arrived late and..." I dumped water on him and broke a glass. "Amanda left me to clean up. She had another appointment." The woman behind the large, beautiful antique mahogany desk frowned. "While Mr. Sumner insisted I put ointment on the scratches, he and his mother discussed their dislike for the presentation."

"So you volunteered your opinion?"

I shook my head rapidly. "Missus asked me."

"What gave you the ability to suggest something better than Amanda."

I looked her straight in the eye. "Homework."

Her eyebrows lowered and knitted together. "Homework?"

I nodded. "I listened to the client when we met." I looked at my hands. "And your file on the Sumner home and some online material helped me understand his priorities."

"Which are?"

"The kitchen, as the heart of the home, warm colors, and a particular poster."

"A poster?"

I looked up. "He specifically said he loved it, and Amanda didn't include it without apology."

She twirled her thumbs. "Hm. Did you not like Amanda's designs?"

"They were beautiful for a modern home. Mr. Sumner's home is circa 1940."

"You came to us with experience in a smaller market. I would be remiss if I didn't listen to clients like Alicia Sumner. It appears they would like you as lead on this project. Consider it your trial. Perhaps at the end of it you'll receive a promotion. Fail and you'll be back in Providence."

I grinned. "Thank you. I won't fail."

"You'll need an assistant."

"Can I have Rex?"

She waved her arms. "If he agrees to the same terms. Succeed and he's due to be an assistant. Fail and he goes down too."

"I'll ask him."

"I'd assign Amanda to mentor you, but it seems Oliver Sumner's cat doesn't like her." She stared at my arms. "I can guess you have firsthand knowledge. I want to see your designs on Monday. The contractor is already standing by. You'll start as soon as the Sumners approve them."

I stood gingerly to ensure my legs could bear my weight. Fog surrounded me as I returned to my table. Rex was waiting to pounce, but I shook my head.

"At home over martinis. I still have a job."