Page 20 of Rewind It Back

“Hot.”

“Jealous.”

“I’ll be your second assistant on the project,” all echo around me.

Swallowing, I keep my eyes on the pen in my hand that I can’t stop tapping against the table. “Actually, that project fell through. For me, at least. There’s a...” I hesitate, still unable to look at anyone, namely Tyler. “Conflict of interest. I’m sure he’ll be calling soon to get someone else on the renovation.”

The room is silent around me, tension and judgment swirling around. It lingers that way for at least ten seconds, though it feels more like an hour, when I finally risk a glance in Tyler’s direction. Disappointment is written all over his face.

“That’s a shame to hear,” he finally says. Breaking eye contact with me, Tyler redirects his attention. “Tina, make sure we don’t lose that project, even if that requires me to be the lead designer on it instead. Find out who he’s comfortable working with, but we aren’t losing this client.”

“Of course.”

Shit.

I can feel the disappointment suffocating the room. I truly think if the entire design team started screaming at me about how much I suck at this job, things would feel less awkward than they do now.

I’m equally disappointed, but it’s out of my hands. This felt like my shot, my big opportunity to show Tyler what I’ve got, but I couldn’t have planned for Rio, of all people, to be the homeowner. What am I supposed to do?

I just need to find another renovation to finish out my internship, but when I glance up and catch Silas’s smug little smirk, it acts as a reminder that projects like these don’t come around often. And like him, I’ll be sitting around, twiddling my thumbs, and fetching coffee instead of stretching my design muscles if I don’t land another one.

The meeting goes on, but I’m only half listening. I’m too busy racking my brain for any contacts I might have that could potentially hire me. The stylist who cut my hair this summer said she’s going to open a new salon location. Maybe she needs a designer, or maybe she has a client who is in search of a new home office. Maybe I’ll get lucky and overhear somebody at the bar say something about building a new home they need help with. I need to get out of here and start hustling.

“Great meeting, everyone.” Tyler stands from his seat. “Let’s get some good work done this week and remember, I’m always here to bounce ideas off of.”

The rest of the team stand from their seats, chatting with each other as they exit the conference room. I get a couple sympathetic smiles on their way out, an encouraging squeeze on my shoulder.

None of it helps.

Tyler, fashionable motherfucker that he is, takes a seat on the conference table in front of me, long legs still firmly planted on the floor. “I don’t love that you just lost a major project.”

I shrug, attempting to act unaffected. “And I don’t love that you set me up with a married man this weekend, but here we are.”

Tyler narrows his eyes, staying silent for a beat. “Touché. I take full responsibility for that one.” The tension dissipates a bit. “Hallie, you’ve done such a good job so far and I’d love for you to be part of this team permanently, but I can’t hire you based on one renovation. I need to see more.”

“I know.”

He knocks the table with his knuckles before standing. “Find another project. I believe in you.”

Alone in the room, I lean back in my chair, eyes on the ceiling.

I need to fix this. I need to find another project because as much as I want to be a part of this design team, the facts are, Ineedto be. I need the salary that comes with it.

“Hallie,” Tina says, startling me.

I find her standing next to me as I sit.

“Tyler might have said you need to find another project, but what he really meant is that you need to find a way to get back onthisone. I know you’ve already had one this summer, but an entire home renovation isn’t a common job, especially for an intern. Tyler wants to hire you, it’s obvious, and one way to ensure that happens is by getting yourself back on board as lead designer for this project. If Mr. DeLuca contacts me, I’ll stall on replacing you until the end of the week, but that’s the best I can do for you. Whatever it is, fix it, okay?”

Easier said than done.

I nod in agreement. “I’ll do my best. Thanks, Tina.”

Her sneaky smile lifts. “So, what’s the issue? Are you and his sister mortal enemies? Did you sleep with his best friend and never return a text?” She gasps. “Did you sleep withhim,and it was so bad you can’t look him in the eye again?”

“He doesn’t have a sister and I’m pretty sure all his best friends are married.”

Her head sways from side to side. “Well, from what I hear, you have a thing for married men.”

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