until after next week, when the promotion was either assigned to her, or Fred Williams.
She straightened, meeting his gaze head-on. “The Christmas party was great. Austin and I had a wonderful time.”
“Ah, yes, Austin,” he murmured reflectively. “What a surprise it was to finally meet your boyfriend. You two certainly seemed convincing.”
Teddy managed a bland smile. “I’m not sure I know what you mean.”
“Only that for a man who seemed so attentive during the party, he hasn’t shown much devotion otherwise.” A smile curved his thin mouth, but didn’t reach his eyes. “No flowers on your birthday, no phone calls at work, no lunch dates…”
Teddy shrugged. “He’s a busy man.”
“I’m sure.” He let that insinuation dangle between them as he withdrew a paper cup and filled it with cold water from the cooler. “Care to have a drink with me this evening to discuss the senior graphic design opening?”
In her opinion, there was nothing left to discuss. She qualified for the job in every way that mattered. “No, thank you. I already have other plans.” Not caring for the slant of their conversation, she stepped around Louden and headed for the hallway.
“For a woman who wants the position, you’re not showing much dedication to Sharper Image.”
Teddy immediately stopped, her blood beginning a slow simmer in her veins. Turning, she pinned Louden with a direct look. “My dedication shows in the quality of my work, the deadlines I’ve never missed and the long hours I put in when necessary.”
He sighed, shaking his head regretfully. “But you’re not very accommodating when the situation requires it.” He took a drink of water, as if he hadn’t just issued a double-edged comment.
She forced a calm she was far from feeling. “I don’t think Austin would appreciate me meeting with you after hours.”
He crushed the paper cup in his hand, as if to prove how easily he could demolish her dreams. “It’s just a drink between colleagues, Teddy. I would think if your boyfriend knew how important this promotion was to you, he’d understand.”
Teddy’s stomach pitched. After all she’d gone through to establish Austin as her boyfriend, it appeared Louden didn’t care that she was committed to someone else.
Crossing her arms over her chest, she smiled sweetly at her boss. “Why don’t you see if Fred Williams is able to have a drink with you this evening, and discuss the promotion? Maybe he’ll be more accommodating.” She turned to leave, but not before she caught a glimpse of Louden’s complexion turning an unflattering shade of red.
Feeling wonderfully liberated, she walked back to her office with a light step, shut the door and sat behind her desk. Clinging to that boost of confidence, she picked up the phone, dialed the number for Fantasy for Hire off the business card in her top drawer—the only number she had for Austin—and mentally rehearsed her request while the line rang.
The business recorder clicked on, and as much as she hated leaving a message for Austin when she’d rather talk to him in person, she had no choice. “Hi, Austin, this is Teddy. I’d really like to talk to you—”
The line picked up, interrupting her one-sided conversation. “Hello?”
The voice, though deep and male, wasn’t Austin’s. Another Fantasy for Hire employee, possibly? “I’m calling for Austin. Is he there?”
“No, he’s not, but I can take a message for him.”
The voice sounded a bit too eager. “All right,” she said, deciding she had no choice. “This is Teddy Spencer. He has my cell and work numbers. Tell him I’d really like to talk to him, in person preferably.”
“Got it.” The friendly voice hesitated a moment, then added, “You know, you’re welcome to come by the house and talk to Austin. He should be home in about half an hour.”
“The house?” Confusion wove through her. “Isn’t this Austin’s business?”
“One and the same,” he confirmed. “He runs Fantasy for Hire out of the house.”
“Oh.” She imagined a dozen males in Austin’s house, dressed in various sexy costumes as they consulted their schedules for fantasy appointments. Doubt filled her—maybe going to Austin’s house wasn’t such a great idea. “Uh, I don’t think I should infringe on Austin’s business time—”
“You wouldn’t be,” he assured her. “This is Austin’s brother, Jordan,” the male voice went on to explain. “He’s told me about you, Teddy. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you stopped by to see him.”
She had to trust that Jordan knew Austin well enough to make such a statement. “Okay.” She jotted down the address Jordan