about."
"Maybe not." Rosie shook a packet of sweetener into her coffee. "But that's not going to stop her."
"What will?"
"You could try getting rid of the 'frump' look."
"It's the 'hump' part I'm worried about." Amanda put down the bagel she'd just picked up. Her appetite had fled.
"The 'hump' part is Phoebe's fantasy, right?" Rosie raised her eyebrows. "She's been after that man since the day she started with the company."
"What do you mean, 'right'?" Amanda leaned over the table. "You don't think I'm sleeping with him, do you?"
"No," Rosie said, a trace of uncertainty in her voice. "But the way he looks at you—"
"He looks at me with annoyance and frustration because I'm a woman who doesn't fall at his feet."
"He looks at you like he's the biggest cat in the jungle and you're the sweetest catnip he's ever seen."
"That hardly means I'm sleeping with him!"
"Well," Rosie argued, "you could pull the stinger out of the 'frump' part of the phrase if you dressed better."
"These are my clothes." Amanda gestured to the—okay, frumpy—outfit she wore. "I can't afford a new wardrobe." In truth, she'd spent money she didn't have to buy a few extra-dowdy items. She figured the best way to keep her new boss from pursuing her for sex would be to make herself unsexy.
"No problem." Rosie leaned forward eagerly. "I could help you. I live for cheap makeovers."
"Thanks, Rosie. That's kind of you." Amanda sighed.
She knew Rosie meant well. But, after the trip to Philadelphia, she was pretty sure Logan had abandoned his brief plan to pursue her. She needed to make sure he remained uninterested, because she was afraid that she was too weak where he was concerned. If he did pursue her, she might succumb, thereby destroying all her plans. It would only be a matter of time before he tired of her, and then her job here would be over. As well as her insurance benefits for her sister.
On the other hand, if the nickname Rosie had told her about continued to circulate, people might assume she was sleeping with Logan regardless of the lack of evidence, and her professional credibility could be shot.
She needed a solution. An attractive man walked by, and an answer popped into her head. She needed a boyfriend. That would not only discourage Logan, but it would also stymie company gossip.
Rosie followed her gaze, and then shook her head. "He's married."
"Not everyone is." Amanda stood up. She had to hitch up her skirt, which was a little big around the waist since she'd wanted an unfashionably long length. "Thanks, Rosie, for the offer. This look works for me."
"Let me know when you change your mind," Rosie said cheerfully.
Amanda began plotting her strategy even as she dropped off her tray at the conveyor belt. She hadn't dated much since her sister's condition worsened. She simply didn't have the time. But the company rumor mill had given a whole new direction to her thoughts. She had to squash those rumors, and in a way that left no doubt in anyone's mind about the fact that she was not the latest mistress of Logan Winter.
Therefore, her new boyfriend would have to be someone from the company. Luckily, there were plenty of young men working at Winter Enterprises.
The place to start looking was the staff meeting on schedule for 9 a.m. this morning. She'd already met enough of Logan's direct reports to know there were some good dating prospects among the men. The meeting would be the perfect opportunity for her to embark on her new plan.
Fortunately, when she entered the conference room, Logan was not present yet. He'd only be a distraction to what she was trying to accomplish. She glanced around to see who was in attendance today.
Clark Bessemer was already seated at his place to the right of Logan's chair. He was not a potential boyfriend candidate, not only because he was middle-aged, but also because he wore a wedding ring.
They exchanged greetings and Amanda took a seat at the middle of the table.
Next to saunter in was Phoebe Cattus. Ugh. She was filling in this week for her boss who was on vacation. The blonde shot a venomous look at Amanda and flounced to a seat next to Clark.
Two middle-aged women followed. Letty from HR, a thin, elegant black woman with a swan-like neck, and Maria Lopez, who headed up the Marketing Department.
Finally, a viable target entered. Josh Gilroy. Everything about him radiated confidence, from his pleasant smile and calm demeanor,