ears

ears old, and she'd finally made it a real job, a decent salary, and benefits. Receptionist at one of the city's most prestigious c

n had kept his promise; he'd been there through every struggle, every setback, every small vic

real paycheck. She'd invited some friends from her old neighborhood,

eeling crept over her. Invisible. Despite her crisp new clothes and practiced smile, she might as well have been

esent, but

nswering the phone with mechanical politeness. "S

polite nods. Lita was counting down the minutes until five o

he reception desk, his face red, his voice carrying across the lobby. "I was

ession tight with barely concealed panic. Mr. Whitmore, I a

s arriving in twenty minutes for a presentation that could make or break

ices. Janet's hands shook as she fumbled with the computer. Th

sto

enough to cut through his anger. I understand

s face, perhaps because she addressed him direc

her screen. But the Aurora room on the fifth floor is actually larger, has better acoustics, and the afternoon

anger wavered, confus

y, lowering her voice conspiratorially. Between you and me, the Meridian booking might have been a blessing i

deflating like a punctured ba

our clients arrive. And she glanced at the catering schedule. I'll have refre

h. Lita had no authority to offer complimentary catering. But she also knew that de-escal

relaxed. Well. Yes. Tha

and came around the desk, moving with a confidence she

cutive suite during the commotion. Tall, dark-haired, dressed in a charcoal suit that probabl

s photo in the employee handbook but never in person. He had

looking dir

ily ensconced in the Aurora room, the crisis averted. Janet had retreate

as imp

ide the reception desk, hands in his

Thorne, she said, her h

doing your job. That was thinking on your feet, reading a difficult persona

sponsible for keeping two people alive. From learni

service experien

ite a smile, but close. "I don't t

his week. L

tinez, that was some very unexpected wit under pressure. Most people would have

do something, s

ng he was seeing past her receptionist's uniform to somet

mething Lita couldn't quite name. Then Marcus

omeone with your instincts. Come by my of

t dry. I... what

es. Consider it a test. Impress me twice, and we'll

g Lita standing at the reception desk, her care