Hot Property (Hot Zone 4)

“Amy, we have your first client all lined up,” Micki said. “After Spencer came to us with the idea of hiring you, one of the things that impressed us most was your organizational ability. After all, you’ve spent the past few years single-handedly running the activities at a retirement community where the older residents are cantankerous at worst and difficult at best.”

Amy couldn’t hold back a laugh. “That’s a better description than any I could have come up with.”

“Hey, are you picking on us old folks?” Yank asked.

Uncle Spencer rolled his eyes. “It takes one to know one.”

“Look who’s talking,” Yank said to his best friend.

Annabelle rose from her seat. “Grow up, both of you! Micki, go on.”

Sophie and Lola applauded while Annabelle re-seated herself.

“Okay, as I was saying, when this assignment came in, we immediately chose you because of your ability to micromanage.”

“I’m grateful for your faith in me.” Amy rubbed her hands together, the idea of digging into her new job exciting her. “So tell me more.”

Micki nodded. “We have a client, a baseball player, who is having serious career issues and who needs to focus completely on both the game and on his life. Unfortunately he has family complications that are distracting him.”

Amy shook her head. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were talking about John Roper,” she said, without really meaning it.

But every last person at the table turned their gaze her way.

Oh, no, Amy thought. Not Roper. Somehow she managed not to say the words aloud. She couldn’t. Whoever the client was, Amy had no choice but to accept him with a smile. It was her first day, her first assignment, and she could not afford to act like a prima donna.

“So it is John Roper?” Amy asked.

All heads at the table nodded.

“Okay, then.” She pasted on her brightest smile. “At least it’s someone I already know.” Thank goodness nobody at the table knew just how well she’d almost come to know Roper.

“That’s what we thought,” Micki said, obviously pleased with the business pairing.

“Although, if you aren’t comfortable…” Sophie’s voice trailed off, her offer clear. The other woman obviously sensed now, as she’d indicated at the party the other night, that Amy’s history with Roper might make it uncomfortable for her to work with him.

Amy shook her head. “It’s fine. I’m fine.” Nobody at the table knew she’d spent the night at Roper’s place New Year’s Eve.

A knock sounded on the conference-room door and her uncle Spencer’s secretary, Frannie, walked in. “I’m sorry for interrupting but I have news that can’t wait.”

“Come on in and let’s hear it,” Annabelle said, gesturing with her hands. “Something juicy, I hope?”

Micki leaned over and whispered to Amy. “Frannie gets the morning papers and fills us in with anything we need to know about our clients that the

press got their teeth into first.”

“Got it,” Amy said, nodding.

“You, my dear, have arrived.” Frannie strode over to Amy, taking her by complete surprise. “Photograph and articles.”

“Excuse me?” Amy asked, confused.

“Page Six in the New York Post!” Frannie exclaimed.

“Get out! What are you holding back?” Annabelle asked Amy. At the same time, Micki snatched the paper from Frannie’s hands and began riffling through it.

The other woman, Amy noticed, had a second copy beneath her arm.

“What is on Page Six?” Amy finally managed to ask.