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told Bev that Fite’s new business consultant had watched her run out of the office like a looter stealing a high-end TV. She still didn’t know what to say if she saw him. Just kidding, I really do work here was one possibility. I bet you’re a lot cuter out of that suit was another. Not that she would say that. She wasn’t going near a naked man until she had her life figured out.
    “Will you go get the swatches for me?” Rita asked. “I’ll have to rush to get everything done before my lunch date. ”
    “Date?”
    “Don’t look happy for me. It’s just with my dentist.”
    “Sorry,” April said.
    “It’s okay. He gives me nitrous oxide. Which is why I need to get everything done this morning. I love that stuff. Thank God you can’t buy it at Costco. Did you hear what Teegan called the group? New York, first-floor conference—”
    “On my way,” April said, striding off.
    She took the stairs down to the lobby and waved at Virginia behind the desk.
    Virginia still hadn’t forgiven her for almost getting her into trouble with the business consultant, convinced she’d almost lost her job.
    She’d come around. In fact, she wouldn’t have the job at all without April’s help. When, months ago, Virginia had asked April to put a word in for her with Bev and Liam about a job, April had been skeptical—Virginia knew video games, not fashion—but she’d helped her out. In return, Virginia had smuggled her into the art room before hours without telling anyone.
    “Morning, Virg,” April said, patting the desk as she crossed the lobby to reach the conference room. “Plans for lunch?”
    “I thought you were with the baby in the afternoons,” Virginia said, not meeting her eyes.
    “Not yet. I’m in training, learning the software for a few days. Later this week I’ll cut back to half days.”
    “Actually, I brought something to eat,” Virginia said. “I can’t go out. I have to be at my desk. Eating what I brought.”
    The rejection stung, but April shook it off. After putting her friend in a bad position, she couldn’t blame her for wanting a little space. “No problem,” April said, smiling broadly to emphasize her good will, big heart, and general likability. “Some other time.”
    Then she hurried into the conference room, marched around the large oval table to the foam core boards hanging on the walls, and tripped over a man’s feet.
    “You again,” he said.

Chapter 4

    T HE FIRST THING Z ACK NOTICED was that she’d upgraded the heavy boots to black high-top sneakers.
    “Oh, damn! Sorry.” She stumbled over him. “I didn’t see you there.”
    He reached up to support her elbow, admitting to himself that the shoes were, in fact, the second thing he’d noticed. The first was her rear end encased in cobalt-blue skin-tight jeans—and about to fall into his lap.
    His blood warmed. “I’ll send up a flare next time,” he said.
    Her gaze met his, then flickered down to his hand on her arm. “Don’t worry,” she said. “I’m supposed to be here.”
    “Really.” He amended his earlier guess about her age. She was at least twenty. Or maybe he was just trying to make himself feel better.
    Her pretty—no, gorgeous—gray eyes narrowed like a cat’s. “Really.”
    He released her arm. “I’m not.” He mentally shook himself. Why had he said that? He’d been taking a break, that was all. He was allowed to take breaks. His productivity suffered without them.
    She stepped back and looked him over. “I thought you were allowed to go wherever you wanted.” A slow grin formed on her lips. She wore purplish lipstick, like a Hollywood vampire. “There’s a rumor you’ve been in the women’s restrooms.”
    He stood up and buttoned his jacket, unhappy about the gossip but not surprised. He’d been through it many times before, usually triggered on his first day because of the open door requirement. And yes, he did look into the bathrooms—how else would he know what an employer