There was a knock on the door, and my assistant Ca poked her head through. “Amber… That man from

    yesterday is here for you.”

    My stomach dropped. I had just seen him yesterday, and already I was going to have to be faced with him

    again? Did he want to argue more? I didn’t know if I was ready for that.

    Ca continued, “He said he’s here to start his training…?” Ca had a puzzled look on her face.

    Anna and I mirrored it as we looked at each other.

    Whatever he was really here for, there was no avoiding it until I faced him. For now, I had to be an adult

    and find out what he wanted.

    Standing from my desk, I said to Anna, “Wish me luck.”

    “Good luck,i” /ishe said.

    I walked around the desk and then out into the hallway, where I followed Ca to the waiting room.

    There, much like yesterday, Julian was standing, waiting for me. In was in his full suit today, with his

    hair carefully slicked back.

    “I didn’t know what to wear,” he said. “We didn’t talk about a dress code.”

    My brow drew together in confusion. He seemed earnest in the way he talked, like he was genuine.

    “A dress code for…?” I prompted.

    “Didn’t she tell you?” he asked, motioning to Ca who is returning to her desk. “I’m here for my training.

    We didn’t talk about a specific time for it to happen, but I thought the sooner the better. If I’m going to help you put this project into action, I should probably learn how to do things.”

    “Things…?” I was still having trouble following along. We had talked about the project, about perhaps

    traveling to the different packs to help sick children. But that had been one of many conversations, thetter of which did not end with any kind ofradery.

    “Whatever you need me to do,” he rified. “I assure you I am capable, and I’m ready and willing to learn

    whatever I don’t already know. I am your most dutiful student, Amber. I want to be your assistant.”

    I blinked, unsure.

    “You did still want toplete the project…?” he asked.

    I did. That much was true. But after everything else we had talked about.

    No, maybe this was the perfect opportunity. If I could show him how capable I was, and how good of a life Alice had with me, not tied up in the Thom capital, maybe I could convince him to consider visitations or

    shared custody, rather than taking Alice from me.

    We’d already established that I couldn’t escape him, even if I tried ito /irun.

    Maybe this was the chance I needed…

    If we could get close, if he could see…

    Maybe he would soften his stance on this enough to see things my way.

    Yet even as I weed him into one of the back offices, I still wasn’t sure this was real.

    I set him up at aputer, got him some credentials and logged him in. He sat at the desk while I leaned over him. He nced back at me, while I looked at him. We were close.

    Too close.

    “Amber…” he said, a whisper. Something softened in the depths of his eyes. He looked at me with an affection that reminded me of a time long ago. He would often look at me like this, especially right before

    we explored our passion for each other.

    Blushing, I quickly leaned back.

    I couldn’t get distracted here. We were bound to be in close proximity if he was serious about pursuing

    this project.

    I had to stay strong and remember my purpose.

    I had to convince him that staying with me was the best option for Alice. And if that meant allowing him

    to shadow me for the next few months, then I had to do that.

    Without getting my heart involved.