She nodded, beaming, and went back to pretending to take notes. The pages were filled with her newest design idea. She had found a bolt of gauzy white fabric at Goodwill for a steal and was drawing sketches of dress ideas while Charlotte strung together numbers so fast that she stopped listening. Idly, she noticed that Theo, Neal, and Todd gave her one hundred percent of their attention. Even Neal was taking notes, and she got the impression he didn’t listen to many people.
She studied Charlotte curiously. Lord knew the woman didn’t command a room with her clothing. A small-boned woman with sharp, dark eyes and thick glasses that did nothing for her green eyes, Charlotte seemed to want to blend into the conference room with her matching, boring tan suit. Her neckline didn’t show even a bit of cleavage. There was something compelling nonetheless about her that Amber tried to name until she got bored and looked for a distraction.
From where she sat, she could see out the window to Main Street, where a little dog was trying to hide itself behind alarge planter filled with begonias outside the bank. She looked again. Was that Puddin’? She peeked back at the conference table where everyone was still engrossed in Charlotte’s boring report. No one would notice if she crept off to the window and took a look.
She got up and tiptoed over so that her heels wouldn't make noise and looked out the window. There was a familiar tail poking out, but she couldn't make out whether it was Puddin’ from where she was.
"Are we boring you, Miss Hart?" came a lazy drawl from behind her.
"No, not at all, just checking the weather," she said, taking her seat again.That loser son of Mrs. Bovenzi probably kicked her out again.She made a note in the margin of her still-empty notebook to check behind the planter later.
"All right, Todd, what events do we have coming up?”
Todd adjusted his gingham bowtie. “We have the Finger Lakes for a Cause Charity Dinner event on Saturday night. I have you down as a plus one with Addison LeVine. Is that still the case?"
Amber looked up interestedly. Theo was already shaking his head. "No. It’s just me.”
“The plates were pricey,” Todd said. “Is there anyone else you could bring?”
“Theo, this would be an excellent opportunity for Amber to meet your supporters. She’ll be working closely with them in the coming months as the campaign events gear up,” Charlotte said.
“Actually, Pippa Shelton would be a better choice,” Neal interjected. “We could leverage her media coverage and influence with the younger demographic of women we need.”
“Amber,” Theo said abruptly, “you’re free on Saturday.” He pinned her with those blue eyes.
It was more of a statement than a question, and she bristled. She wasn’t free. She had plans. She always had fun, excitingplans on Saturday nights, especially now that she didn’t work at the pub. It was her regular bath date with her electronic boyfriend. “I’m bus—,” she started.
“Good. It’s settled,” Theo said briskly.
“I have the perfect dress to wear,” Amber said. “I just got found this cute vintage Pucci?—”
“No!” Theo almost shouted it. “God, no. Just...just take this and buy something with a lot of...fabric.” Amber opened her mouth to protest, but Theo reached into his back pocket and pulled out a black card. Amber’s mouth snapped shut. “Here. You’ll need something to wear. It’s a black and white theme. You and Charlotte can take a half day and go shopping for something appropriate.”
She really wanted to tell him where to stick that shiny, beautiful card, but also...shiny, beautiful card in her hot little hands for a day of shopping? Please. She wasn’t a fool. She made grabby hands and Theo slid the card over. This time he didn’t hide his smile.
“You're going to bring her?" Neal said, clearly trying to mask his shock. "Are you serious?"
Theo looked over. "Is there a problem?"
“Look,” Neal said, “the Finger Lakes dinner is a black-tie event. It’s all about optics and perceptions at this stage of the election campaign, and Amber’s not exactly...” Theo’s brows drew together, and Neal hurried to add, “the typical guest. We need to be on our game and no offense,” he nodded curtly toward Amber, “but you’re relatively risky.”
Amber grinned. “If you’re worried I’ll start dancing on the bar again, I only do that when the dollar bills come out.”
“Yes, I’ve heard that,” Neal murmured.
“Enough,” Theo barked. He leaned forward and pinned Amber with steel blue. “There are people there that I'll need you to talk with and make connections. Is thatsomething you can handle?" He raised an eyebrow. It was a challenge if she ever saw one.
"Of course I can." She jerked the card away and tucked it down her bra, safe and sound. “I can talk to anyone.”
“Theo, your campaign can’t afford unpredictability right now,” Neal warned.
“Relax, Neal, I’ve got this in the bag.” Amber winked at him, and Neal’s expression darkened. She shrugged. Not her monkeys, not her circus. If Theo wanted her there and handed over his credit card, who was she to argue? “Come on, Charlotte,” she said. “Let’s go shopping.”
"Lord save us," Theo muttered.
Amber metCharlotte at Mrs. DuBois’s desk. “Sure we can’t tempt you into coming shopping with us, Diane?” Amber asked playfully. “I’ve got a black card and I know how to use it.”
“I should hope you use it liberally.” Mrs. Dubois eyed Amber’s skintight pencil skirt and top. “Your workwear looks like...you’re gasping for air.”
