Hot Property (Hot Zone 4)

Yank snickered. “The boy needs more than that. But you’re right. It’s a good start. I knew you’d come around to my way of thinkin’.”

Her uncle was referring to his notion of setting up Roper and Amy. After he’d decided on that course, he’d gone to Micki for help. But having been on the receiving end of her uncle’s matchmaking schemes, Micki had refused, despite the fact that she believed the two would make a great couple. Micki wanted nothing more th

an to see her best friend settled and happy just as she was with Damian.

But she wouldn’t meddle. “I didn’t come around to your way of thinking. I just happen to think assigning Amy to Roper works for the business.” That it would work for them personally, as well, was a bonus. Or so Micki told herself when she’d paired them as a business team—the idea occurring to her just this morning while Roper was questioning her about Amy Stone, his interest clear.

Her uncle laughed. “Either way, the result’s the same. They’re together. Nature can do the rest.”

AMY WALKED INTO HER OFFICE only to find it empty. She returned to check back with Kelly, the receptionist she shared with one of the other publicists. “Good morning again,” Amy said.

Before she could ask, the woman handed her a stack of pink message notes. “These are for you,” Kelly said with a smile.

Amy narrowed her gaze. “I don’t know many people in town and this is my first day. What gives?”

“You’re experiencing your fifteen minutes of fame. The papers want to interview you. Mind if I give you a suggestion?” the other woman asked.

“I’m all ears,” Amy said, wanting any help she could get.

Kelly leaned closer, her bangs falling over her eyes as she leaned in, and whispered, “Ignore them.”

Amy blinked. “That’s it? That’s the magic formula?”

“That and praying for some other athlete to make a scene or screw up so he replaces you and Roper in the headlines.” Kelly nodded sagely.

“Got it. Speaking of Roper, did he—”

“Leave a message? Yes, he did. Here.” She handed Amy a white envelope with her name written on the front. “He was waiting patiently until he got an urgent phone call. Then he asked for paper to leave you a note and rushed out.” Apparently her new secretary was the epitome of efficiency.

Amy was grateful something was going right today. “Thank you, Kelly.”

“That’s my job. Oh, you have a lunch date at 1:00 p.m. today at Sparks. It’s a steak house on Forty-Sixth between Second and Third. Since that’s prime lunch hour and we’re farther uptown, you might want to give yourself some time to get there. Would you prefer cab, car or subway?” Kelly asked, pen in hand, ready to tackle anything.

Florida girl that she was, Amy wasn’t ready to take on the NYC subway system just yet. “I’ll just go down and grab a cab.”

Kelly rolled her pen between her palms. “No, never mind, that won’t work. You might not get one at that hour. I’ll make sure a car is waiting.” She placed her hand on the phone, obviously ready to do just that.

“It seems like an extravagance to take a car for lunch,” Amy said.

“We bill it to the client. It’s fine, really. SOP,” Kelly said.

“SOP?”

“Standard operating procedure.”

Amy smiled. “Got it. It looks as if you have everything covered except for one thing.”

“What’s that?” Kelly glanced up at her, surprised.

“Who am I meeting for lunch?”

Kelly tapped her head with her hands. “I didn’t mention that? Roper. It’s all in the note he left. Since he couldn’t have his business meeting with you due to a family emergency, he said he wanted to take you for lunch and do it there.”

“Aah.” Family emergency. Amy glanced at her watch. At 11:00 a.m. in the morning. Apparently Roper needed her even more than she realized.

“Take a paper and pen to lunch,” Kelly said. “Make notes so you don’t forget anything. Not that I’m suggesting you’re forgetful, but if it were me having a business lunch with that perfect specimen, I’m sure I wouldn’t remember anything he said. And I’m pretty on-the-ball,” Kelly said, laughing.

Amy grinned. “That you are, and something tells me I’m going to need your expertise during this transition period.”