via

ast night?" Luca demanded, dropping two he

p. I blinked against the morning sunlight streaming through the kitch

ng up a paper towel to wipe up the spilled c

e a detective looking for clues. "You left the apartment at eight o'clock last night and didn't creep back through the front door u

c heat my cold fingers. "I stopped by the Blue Note Lounge. I

Luca asked, rai

uietly, looking down into

nterrupting or asking for anything in return. A strange mixture of shame and quiet exhilaration washed over me. I felt embarrassed that I h

" Luca sighed, shaking his head. "

on the counter with a soft clack. "It was a one-time thing. A random co

l smile tugged at his mouth. "But if he was handsom

ng over one shoulder. He reached out and poured himself a cup of black coffee. "Leave

" I said, offering

d, waving his hands in the air. "

lked past toward the front door. "Have a good

lled back as the front

ad silent. I stood alone in the small kitchen, holding my lukewarm m

friend's spare room. I had just few dollars left in my bank account, no job, and a cardboard box of second-hand clothes. I couldn't stay here forever, s

n. The wood groaned under my elbows as I opened the screen. The whi

nt and typed my name at

to shake over

tration from years ago. My fingers moved fast over the plastic keys.

ily against the white sc

ive assistant at a respected firm, organized, sharp, and ca

ars where he made me call in sick, then hand in my resignation, and finally stay trapped inside our big, empty h

pany? What employer would hire a woman who had

wed hard, and started typing again. I focused on my skills-organization, calendar management, logistics, pro

hed wood. I picked it up. It was a text message from a fo

She's the HR Director over at Kingsley Global Holdings. She's wonderful and v

on the screen. King

occupied a massive glass tower downtown in the Kingsbridge District. Working at a place like that felt completely out of reach for someone

s tab and scrolled down the long list of open positions. Most of them required spec

finger dragging acros

a brand-new listing posted ju

Secretary to the Ch

gsley Tower,

adaptability, discretion, stron

description listed exact tasks I knew I could handle-scheduling high-level meetings,

rmination bloomed in my chest. I didn't have a perfect work history, but I was organized, sharp, and hardworking. I had

could talk me out of it, I clicked Upload Resume, attached m

nstantly, displaying a

application for Personal Secretar

reen, my heart hammering wildly against my ribs. I had just th

back in the quiet kitchen, and wondered if anyone