“Good.” She nodded and hung her arm across the back of the couch behind me. “There’s no reason to be nervous. I have great things planned for you.”

  “You do?” I was breathless with anticipation.

  “Yes. You’re a more than suitable candidate for the position. I wanted the hiring process to go faster since my former assistant left me two months ago, but Human Resources has protocols they must follow. I’ve been inconvenienced.” Outrage flashed in her eyes. “I hope you can fix this problem for me.”

  “When you mean fix, do you mean for me to accept the position?” I went right for the direct approach this time.

  She gave me a full-blown smile, showing her perfectly aligned white teeth. “Correct. But, I still have to meet other candidates. The interviews will take another few weeks.”

  “You’re unofficially asking me if I want the position?” I wanted to jump up and dance around the room.

  “I’ve had my eye on you for a long time.” She dropped her hand on my knee.

  Words caught in my throat. She’d touched me in admiration.

  “Th-thank you?” I was becoming flustered again by her compliments.

  “It will be a nice birthday present for you.” Her hand fell away.

  “My birthday is Monday.” I pointed out the obvious.

  “Yes, I know. You’ll be twenty-five.” She scanned my face. “You look much younger than your age, which will work in your favor in the years to come. I was once like you, with a pretty face unmarred by lines and wrinkles or gray hairs popping up in places they shouldn’t.”

  “But you look great, at least ten years younger than your age,” I blurted, hoping my uncensored statement impressed her.

  Her lips twitched. “Thank you. I’m glad you think so.”

  I envisioned long hours working side by side, perhaps taking business trips together, or the times I might end up at her place as we worked late into the night. I was ready to sacrifice my free time in order to learn all I could from this woman. The rewards would be well worth it, even if it meant my already lacking love life became nonexistent.

  I was so involved in my thoughts, I didn’t notice she had risen from the couch. She flipped through some papers on her desk. I waited for her to bring over some type of paperwork I would have to fill out, perhaps a contract to get the ball rolling.

  “Ah, here it is.” She produced a square, cream-colored envelope and crooked her finger at me. “Come here so I can go over your first assignment.”

  “Assignment?” I asked, still rooted to my seat.

  She slapped the envelope on her palm. “You’ll work for me in a freelance capacity until you’re officially announced as my assistant. What you’ll do for me won’t affect your current job performance, and it will happen on your free time. But you’ll be well-compensated.”

  Confused, but at the same time curious to what the job entailed, I claimed the unoccupied seat in front of her desk. She came back around with the envelope for me. I took it, wondering if I should read what was inside.

  She decided for me. “Open it.”

  I took out the square paper and scanned the black fancy script stating the Safe at Home Coalition charity auction benefit tonight at eight o’clock at the Gramercy Center near Gramercy Park. SAHC was a well-known organization in the city, helping domestic-abuse victims. Just last month, the founder of the coalition had been on Virago’s cover and interviewed in a five-page spread.

  “Well?” she asked, impatient.

  “You want me to go as your date?” I joked, my heart jumping in my throat. Even though my future boss didn’t have any romantic aspirations on me, it was still exciting she selected me out of everyone else to attend this event.

  “I’m taking you as my guest to see if you’re up to snuff. The person I want you to interview will also be attendance.” She set her hand on her hip. “I want you to write an interview for Virago. If you do, the assistant position is yours, and you’ll have done something no one your age has accomplished for the magazine—a front-page cover and interview.”

  Holy smokes! This was too good to be true. The key writing staff had years of experience, and with an average age of thirty-five. Becoming a writer for Virago, and possibly the other publications owned by the Duartes, was a writer’s golden ticket. This was my shot at the big time!

  “Thank you for the opportunity, Miss Duarte. You won’t regret it,” I said, realizing I didn’t have a clue who the subject was for my interview.

  “You may not be thanking me after I tell you who this involves. She refuses to do any type of interviews, and she isn’t a fan of Virago.”

  “But why? Virago is a well-respected magazine. One of the few in the country run and written by women and for a female audience. I’ve always had a subscription, from as early as—”

  She clapped, making me shut my mouth. I lowered my eyes, wanting to smack myself for jabbering. My father always said I had a motor mouth. Even now I heard him whispering in my ear, “Loose lips sink ships.”

  “You must pay strict attention to what I’m about to tell you. Whatever we discuss about Victoria is not to be shared with anyone else. Understand?”

  “Yes, crystal clear. Is she the subject?” I leaned toward her.

  She clutched the edge of her desk behind her. “Have you heard of Victoria Nox? The CEO of Nox Media Holdings in the United States.”

  “She doesn’t sound familiar.” I felt as if I was failing a section of the test Colette set out for me. If Victoria Nox was some bigwig, I should have known who she was. Now I was kicking myself for being clueless.

  A small smile tickled Colette’s lips. “Victoria is the darling of the Nox family. Five years ago, when she was twenty-seven, she was put in charge of the US operations for the corporation. The family-run company has a hand in many media ventures from movies, to television and the internet. Her parents died in a plane crash when she was thirteen, and her father’s brother and his wife took her in. She was always destined for greatness.”

  Her voice lowered to a whisper. If I wasn’t mistaken, there was a yearning in her voice. My internal antennae tingled. She wasn’t as impartial as she tried to appear to be. This Victoria Nox was special to her in some way.

  I cleared my throat, hoping she wouldn’t chastise me for what I was going to ask. “Um, you know Victoria personally?”

  She refocused on me. I tried not to squirm under her pointed gaze. “I once traveled in the same social circles as the Noxes.”

  It was on the tip of my tongue to ask why she didn’t get in touch with Victoria herself and ask to interview her. Virago showcased many high-profile women because of her connections. In this case, it was odd she didn’t do the same with Victoria Nox.

  “If there’s something on your mind about this assignment you want to ask me, go ahead.” She came around and stood behind me. She set her hands on my shoulders and squeezed. “I won’t bite.”

  Too hard? I smothered a chuckle.

  “Lindsay, talk to me.” Her hands fell away from my shoulders.

  I shook my naughty thoughts off, bringing my attention back to this important discussion. “If you’re on friendly terms with—”

  “I haven’t been on friendly terms with the Noxes for years.” She stepped back behind her desk. “My one-time connection with them won’t influence Victoria. That’s where you come in. You’ll act as a representative of Virago and approach her tonight for the interview.” She lifted a folder, an inch thick with papers. “You’ll convince her to listen to you.”

  “How do you know she’ll listen to me?” My social skills weren’t the best. The only experience I had mingling at parties were at bars or at clubs where music played so loudly, you couldn’t understand what someone said unless they screamed in your ear.

  “You’re Victoria’s type.” She came back around and dropped the folder in my lap. “With a little bit of style and some polish, you’ll attract her attention.”

  “She’s gay? But I…”

  “I’m not asking you to seduce the woman. Just flirt with her a little.” She waved a gold credit card. “Use this to purchase something appropriate to wear, as well as shoes, preferably sandals to show off those pretty pedicured toes you’ll have taken care of once you leave this office.” She set the card on top of the folder. “All the information you need about Victoria is in the folder. Memorize it for tonight.”

  How would I find the time to do all this by tonight? “But I work until six today, and I have to finish…”

  Exasperation flashed in her eyes. “I’ll talk to your supervisor and tell her you’re working on a special assignment for me. She’ll understand because I will be obeyed. That means you also. No complaints.”

  I nodded, still trying to digest everything. “New dress, pedicure, and memorize. Got it.”

  “And do something with your hair. Please don’t wear a headband. You look like you’re sixteen. Also, no cutesy barrettes. Either pin it up or wear it down.” She ran her nail across her lower lip. “Your hair is your best asset. Show it off.”

  Her offhand compliment eased my nerves. I would do whatever I could to impress her and prove I could do the job.

  Scooping up the folder and the credit card, I rose and stuck out my hand. “I won’t disappoint you, Miss Duarte.”

  “You’d better not. I have a lot riding on this.” She took my hand. “Be ready at seven thirty. My town car will pick you up then.”

  “You’ll pick me up?” I’d never ridden in a town car before, let alone been chauffeured anywhere. But she didn’t need to know that.

  “I always have a car drive me to events.” She frowned, eying my hand with distaste. “Also, get a manicure. Your nails look horrible. If you’re going to work directly with me, you’ll have to take better care of yourself.”

  She dropped my hand and sat down behind her desk, replacing the headset on her head. “I’m glad we had this nice chat, Lindsay. You can go now. And remember, what we talked about here stays in the office. Understand?”

  I clutched the folder and credit card to my chest. “Yes, ma’am, I mean, Miss Duarte, um, Colette.” I was ready to leave before I embarrassed myself further.

  “Good.” She waved me away.

  I hurried out of her office. On my way out, I thanked Gail, who said the same. Hurrying down the hall, I spotted the women’s bathroom near the elevators and hightailed it in there. I danced around in a circle and raised my hands in the air. The meeting with Colette had been intense but well worth it.

  As I came down from my high, I ran cold water over my wrists, a trick my mother had taught me to calm my nerves. The face of the woman in the mirror was beet-red with glazed-over eyes. For some reason, my breasts throbbed and my nipples had tightened and would have poked through my shirt if I hadn’t worn a padded bra.

  As I grabbed a paper towel, I knocked the folder over, and papers flew everywhere. Annoyed by my own clumsiness, I bent down to retrieve them, placing a black-and-white photo of a woman on the top. Squatting, I stared at the attractive woman, who appeared to look straight at me, as if trying to figure out my secrets. My thighs trembled from the excursion of bending down, or it might have been the sudden pitching in my belly and a flush of pressure spreading down my legs. Victoria Nox had a bold look to her, along with a smug expression, all surrounded by stunning beauty. Self-confidence combined with aloofness shone from her face. This was a woman who would bend to no one. Her barely there smile, showing dark-shaded lips, even with the absence of color, drew me in. I flipped the picture over, removing the temptation to stare longer. My reaction didn’t make any sense. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been turned on by a picture of someone, not even a former celebrity crush I had as a teenager.

  I had to keep it together. My job was on the line. I wouldn’t fall for a pretty face, especially someone like Victoria Nox who wouldn’t give me a second glance or thought. But I had to figure out a way to grab her attention so I could score the interview to impress Colette and claim the job I desperately wanted.

  CHAPTER TWO

  “How do I look?” I asked Jayden while he played video games in our living room.

  He paused the game, giving me a double take. “You’re smokin’ hot! Where have you been hiding this woman standing before me?”

  If his startled reaction was anything to go by, I’d accomplished what I had set out to do. I wanted not only to astound but stop people in their tracks—specifically Victoria Nox.

  “You like?” Needing assurances from my best friend, I stared at my reflection in the full-length mirror hanging on the hall closet door. I wiggled my pedicured toes, polished dark-magenta to match my fingernails. My makeup and hair complemented the off-the-shoulder black cocktail dress I wore. My sandals had a bit of a heel, which I wasn’t used to wearing, but sacrifices had to be made.

  He approached me from behind and whistled. “You clean up pretty well, Pinke. Very chichi. Your hair looks amazing.”

  After having my hair styled in long waves tumbling down my back with the help of a curling iron and a lot of mousse and hair spray, the stylist suggested adding some flair to my hair. A black amethyst crystal barrette was added, pulling my hair back to help more curls frame my face.

  “Tonight, I’m going as Cinderella,” I joked.

  “That’s your undercover alias for this shindig you’re going to?” He flicked a curl. “Whoever you’re ambushing won’t stand a chance.”

  “What makes you think I’m ambushing anyone?” I pretended to smooth any stray wrinkles from my dress. I wasn’t a good liar. He knew it.

  He sat on the arm of the couch and gave me a sly look. “The SAHC charity auction is one of the biggest events of the fall. When you said Duarte invited you tonight and expected you to get all glammed up, I assumed it’s because she wants you to go after some big shot chick attending. Unless…”

  “Unless what?” I kept my gaze on my reflection in the mirror, although I caught him watching me. I’d been vague about what occurred between Colette and me in her office, as well as why I was attending the charity auction to meet Victoria Nox. If I scored the interview, then I’d tell him.

  “Did you ever stop and think Duarte may be interested in you outside of work? Have you ever noticed her personal assistants are always much younger than her and only last a year or two and then leave the company, never to be heard from again?”

  Unable to stop my shocked laugh, I faced him with my hands on my hips. “Colette’s last assistant left because she’s having a baby. Also, if all her assistants are women, it’s because we work in a female-dominated company, and the majority of the junior staff are a few years out of college.” I wagged my finger at him. “You’re fishing for a reason why she invited me to the auction tonight.”

  “Of course I am, but I also have some suspicions.” He cupped the side of my face. “It’s not that I don’t think you’re qualified for the job, because you are, but someone in power like Duarte wouldn’t have any problem seducing a young girl like you. It would be a great ego boost for the woman who’s near middle age and doesn’t have many options.”

  I pulled back from him in disbelief. “Forty-four is still young. Colette is beautiful and successful. She could have her pick—”

  “She’s never been linked to anyone romantically. Why is that?” He swiped his thumb across his lower lip. “Most lesbians her age are in long-term relationships or have been romantically involved. She wants the inside scoop on high-powered women for the magazine, but she keeps her personal life under lock and key.”

  “You don’t think I should go with her tonight? This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for me.” His unwanted speculations burst my happy bubble.

  He scrubbed his face with his palms. “Don’t be angry with me. I just find it strange she’s taking you on some secret mission you can’t tell me about. Also, you now call her by her first name, something you’ve never done before. The dress you’re wearing is new and way out of your price range. You also didn’t do your hair or your nails yourself, so unless I’m completely off base, your soon-to-be new boss is footing the bill for this sudden spending spree.”

  What could I say? His insight was spot-on. Even if I told him he was right, what would it prove? I could assure him I wasn’t a victim of some shady seduction attempt by Colette. Actually, it was comical to think she would want me when she could have someone worldly and glamorous who knew what they were actually doing in bed.

  My cell phone pinged near my new envelope clutch, saving me from getting into an argument with him. Grabbing it, I read the text from Colette, stating she was turning the corner to my street.

  “I have to go. The car will be here in a second.” Grabbing my purse, I slid on the sandals I’d left by the side of the couch. Jayden sat there, brooding. I didn’t want to leave him upset, so I kissed his cheek.

  “Thanks for your concern, but I can handle myself. Trust me when I say Colette isn’t going to take advantage of me. Tonight is a test to see if I’m worthy of being her assistant. It’s work-related, I promise.”

  “Just be careful. I don’t want you to get burned.”

  “I won’t.” I patted his back. My stomach fluttered as I left the apartment. There was no room for any mistakes now.

  The three-story elevator ride down gave me just enough time to give myself a pep talk. If anything, I looked like I belonged with Manhattan’s upper crust. I had spent enough on the credit card Colette had given me. Hopefully my dress and professionally styled hair and makeup would make an impression on Miss Nox and score me that interview.

  A black town car idled in front as I exited my building. A man dressed in a dark suit stood on the passenger’s side. He opened the door to the back seat. I thanked him and climbed inside, next to Colette.

  She typed on her cell phone. The driver got back in the car and recited the address of the venue. She murmured an affirmative. I waited for her to acknowledge me, and perhaps compliment me on my posh new look.

  Finally, when we stopped at a red light, she glanced up, showing no reaction.