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Winnie stood in front of the staff in the assembly hall, recalling all too well the first time she’d done this. The uncertain glances, the subtle shaking of heads, Matthew’s snarky comments from the back. It was all rushing back to her.

But this time would be different. Because this time, she was different.

“Hi,” she said awkwardly, refusing to pull up her typical Knox exterior. How could she claim the power from the name when she’d decided to be just Winnie? “Thank you so much for coming here this morning. I’m sure you’ve all been wondering what’s going to happen to the festival after last week’s, um, okay event.”

A few nods occurred around the room. Matthew, who sat on the front row, leaned forward, his eyes focused on hers with a soft, encouraging smile.

Her heart skipped a beat, as it had each time she’d seen him since their kiss the day before, but she tore her gaze away, not wanting anyone to notice their lingering attention on each other.

“I’m happy to say,” she continued, “that Mr. Wintour has given us—has given me—another opportunity to prove the festival’s worth with all of you. I’m even happier to share that this time, your opinions will take on more weight, the changes made will be approved by each member of the staff here, and Matthew and I will be working as a team to ensure this festival really goes off without a hitch.”

Her eyes roved over the group, gauging reactions that ranged from excited smiles to wary brows. Inevitably, she returned to Matthew next, his knowing look and encouraging smile giving her the courage to continue until she saw Mrs. Birdwhistle glance between them with a curious gaze.

Winnie grimaced inwardly. She didn’t want anyone to think that the only reason she hadn’t been fired was because of her fraternizing with the boss’s son. Matthew didn’t seem bothered by revealing whatever this was between them, but she was.

She’d tried to speak with him about it the day before—and that morning after their plan had been approved by Mr. Wintour—but her courage had faltered each time because she worried Matthew wouldn’t understand.

Either way, they couldn’t carry on with their little looks and smiles, not if she wanted to prove that she’d come by her new position honorably. Until then, she would reinstate her will and force her eyes to focus on everyone but Matthew.

That became easier after a while, especially when she told the others that they would be reinstating the damsel in distress and unscripted winners for the joust. The looks of relief and joy across each face reaffirmed to her again that she had finally made the right decision in making the changes, and she was relieved because of it.

Finally, after an hour of Winnie explaining the new proposal, the staff agreed to accomplish the work in time to hold a two-day grand opening event, two weeks from Friday. If they were met with success, they’d continue on every other weekend after that until the summer ended.

To Winnie’s relief, each of them appeared to leave the meeting with renewed spirits. Everyone, that is, but herself.

As Matthew remained behind, she geared up for another conversation, one she prayed would end up as good as the last.

Obviously unaware of her reluctance, Matthew grinned from ear-to-ear the moment the door clicked closed and they were left to themselves.

“Well,” he said, raising his hands out to his sides, “is it just me, or did they all take those plans remarkably well?”

“No, it wasn’t just you,” she agreed, stacking up papers to avoid eye contact. “It’s night and day compared to the last time.”

Matthew didn’t respond for a minute, his eyes boring into the back of her. “And yet…you’re unhappy.”

She straightened the rest of her belongings, then turned to face him. It was time. “No, I’m not unhappy with the meeting at all. It’s just that…”

He looked at her, then nodded, as if he understood the turmoil within her mind. “It’s just that…we need to chat.”

She nodded slowly. “Yeah.”

“About moving forward as professionals,” he continued.

“Yeah,” she repeated. “I just think it might be better if we kept our relationship…on the DL.”

He tipped his head to the side, his eyes narrowing. “And by that, you mean…”

She sighed, leaning back so she half-sat on the table. “I’d like to keep seeing you. And spending time with you. But I think, right now, while things are so iffy with people trusting me, it might be smarter if we didn’t do anything that led them to believe that I was given a second chance just because of you and I being…together?”

Her words were disjointed, as awkward out loud as they were in her mind.

Luckily, Matthew seemed to understand perfectly. “In short, you wish to keep our business ours.”

“Yes, that’s exactly what I want,” she said.

“So…” He took a step closer to her. “That means no more secret looks.”

She nodded.