always hated tests. Back when he was a student, just thinking about them made him sick to his stomach, and by the time the exams actually rolled around, he was lucky to keep his breakfast down. Worse, no matter how hard he studied and how well he knew the subject, his mind inevitably went blank as soon as he picked up a pencil. The minute the test was over, everything flooded back with complete clarity.
He’d made it through school by busting his ass on all the assignments, grabbing every bit of extra credit, and praying to whichever gods would listen. In college, one of his professors had even taken pity on Teddy and given him special dispensation to take her exams as oral interviews rather than traditional written tests. He’d taken every class she offered and aced them all.
And now, with Joyce Alexander grinning expectantly at him, Teddy was disheartened to realize he wasn’t over his terror of tests.
“Test?” Romeo didn’t seem put off by the idea—in fact, he appeared more eager than he had all day. “Sure, I can tell you anything you want to know.”
“I’m sure you can, darling. But that wasn’t the sort of test I was referring to. Think of this as more of a trial, if you will. An assessment.”
“We can get a physical mock-up of the product to you within a few days if you—”
She held up a hand, her perfectly manicured nails sparkling in the light. “Not an assessment of the vase. An assessment of you. Both of you.”
That sounded about as horrifying as an algebra quiz, but Teddy attempted to maintain a calm facade. “Do you have reservations about our credentials? I know we’re both pretty new to this kind of business, but Lauren chose us out of hundreds of applicants because she’s confident we have the right skills.” He said this proudly; getting this job offer had been a high point of his life. Romeo perhaps felt the same way, because he nodded eagerly.
But Joyce waved her hands. “It’s not your qualifications that concern me. Gentlemen, I am ancient. No, don’t shake your heads politely. I could be your grandmother, and I am not ashamed of my age. I have used my years well and learned a great deal. So I can tell you with considerable experience that it takes more than good credentials to create success. It takes, well, chemistry. And perhaps even a sprinkle of magic.”
If anyone else on the planet had said that, they would have sounded delusional. But this was Joyce Alexander—resplendent in her beautiful dress, inside her beautiful home—and she could get away with it. Teddy found himself agreeing with her even though he didn’t exactly understand what she was planning. What she said applied perfectly to the design world. If the components of a design were merely suitable, the result would be acceptable but boring. But if those components played off one another well and if the stars aligned just right? That’s when you ended up with something spectacular. Memorable.
“What do you want us to do?” Teddy asked.
She gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Now, that’s what I like to hear! Gentlemen, I’ve devised a list of three key characteristics I’m looking for. I’m going to give you tasks to demonstrate each of them. And to keep the tests a bit more neutral—and, frankly, more interesting—I’m not going to name the characteristics until the tasks are complete.”
Romeo’s brow was furrowed. “So...you’re going to see if we can do things correctly but you’re not going to give us your standards or criteria beforehand?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t see how we can possibly succeed if we don’t know what we’re trying to do.”
“What you’re trying to do, darling, is your best. I sincerely hope that’s enough.”
* * *
Neither of them spoke during the ride back to the hotel. Teddy wanted to speak—he had a lot to say—but kept his mouth zipped due to the driver’s presence. Romeo stared out his window expressionlessly. He didn’t even fidget or pick at his lip.
Wordlessly, Teddy and Romeo got into the hotel elevator and went to their room. Once inside, they simultaneously reached for their phones, but Teddy won that particular duel. Lauren’s phone rang only once before she picked up.
“Calming breaths, Teddy,” she said over the speaker.
“You spoke to her already.” He wasn’t sure whether to be alarmed or comforted by this.
“Yep. We had a good chat.”
“Um...good?”
He waited for Lauren to give more specifics, but she remained silent. Romeo tried to grab the