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When it was over, he turned edone, and I stare after hias I own is aware of the sting ofdown on ht ly aroused

I stand in my bathroom, withht in the allery ‘You can start to ‘what tih sense to do so, I’d decided before bed to wake early enough to arrive thirty

With a brush of powder, I finish up reen sheath dress, a black jacket, and black heels, which is o-to’ special occasion outfit The sa interview years before when, like today, looking professional was the goal I a to adult needs today, rather than that of high school kids wearing jeans and t-shirts Not that I ever opted for jeans myself, as some of the faculty did My youthful appearance seeh heels and skirts than in casual wear With high school students, respect can go a long way I inspect th mirror behind the door with approval It’s not Chanel or Dior, like et, it will have to do

After finishing my coffee, I make my way to the car, and I’m officially as nervous as my students normally are on their first day of school I can’t believe I’ this job and I feel both terrified and excited "Right," I say to myself "Like there was any doubt you would?"

Guilt twists inood fortune I am not sure I can live with that idea No one hasto find out that Rebecca is perfectly fine and happy, and be able to embrace this world I love, if only for a while

By the ti doubts about Rebecca’s safety again I wonder why, if Rebecca is perfectly fine and happy, and I am to believe she has been whisked off to soo, would the gallery say she is returning?

I have forever longed to spend my days surrounded by fine art, and I know that the day I leave this world behind for mine, it will be painful But I a what I aet out of ht explode fro lot, and after testing the door, finding it, not surprisingly, locked, I knock several tiht before appears and slass door "You uess you heard I was co a pale pink dress with a pin clip in her dark hair that er than when I’d first "

I enter and let the door shut behind irl, rather--doesn’t seeht be a sious, with highly sought after art, and plenty of h the place

"I’m Amanda," she declares "I’ as the receptionist"

"Nice tobreakfast with Ricco this ht’s event" She motions with her head "I’ll show you your new office"

I hesitate before following, and at the risk of offending Aetic smile "Sorry I’ in here and stealing soht nauseous"

She pales visibly "Thank you Mark would have been furious to find it unlocked"

The disco I know right then that the protectiveness I had felt for her last night was going to become a common theme

I fall into step with Amanda and we head down the narrow hallway, behind the art displays "Mark’s a tough boss, I take it?"

She gives , and pretty much perfect That’s what he expects here, too I’ perfect"

"Other people’s perfection is a facade we create e are second guessing ourselves," I tell her, but deep down, even in the short ree with her assessment of him Well, except the rich part I have no idea if he has allery

"HuessWhen the lued"

I picture those intense gray eyes of his, and just the idea of seeing Mark again hasand I aht now to knohy Since I have no intention of sharing this with Aement instead "I bet we can ether"