Free Eclipse of the Heart by Carly Carson Page A

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, to
his rich tenor voice and well-fitted suit. Amanda suspected he was a bit older
than he appeared to be since he was already head of the Treasury Department,
filling in this week for the Vice-President of Finance, who was away.
    Josh was wearing a preppy Vineyard Vines tie, with yellow
whales on a pale blue background. He stopped next to her, said "Good
morning," and placed his briefcase on the conference table next to hers.
When he sat down, she could smell a pleasant aroma of coffee and mint. Clean
and cool. She smiled warmly at him.
    He leaned his head down to speak quietly to her. "Ready for the daily drama?"
    Amanda giggled. Yesterday's drama had featured Phoebe pacing
back and forcing in front of the white board, declaring she needed to double
her budget if anyone expected the company website to remain at the top ranking
in the search engines.
    Maria had taken her on, arguing for any extra money to go
directly to the marketing department where it could be more effectively spent
than on "some website that no one ever looks at."
    Phoebe hadn't taken that well and the battle raged until
Logan raised one hand.
    "No one's budget will be increasing this month."
His quiet words fell into a bucket of silence, and no one had dared to venture
another comment.
    Now Josh winked at her, just as Logan slipped in through the
door from his office. Logan's dark gaze flew from Amanda to Josh and back again
to Amanda. She thought his lips tightened, but that might have been a trick of
the lighting.
    Logan strode over to his seat and yanked out his chair just
as Philip Barnston bounded in. His purple tie,
complementing a purple and white striped dress shirt, introduced a carnival
atmosphere into the room. "Hey, Amanda, love." Philip headed in her
direction. "Thanks for saving me a seat." Sliding in to the empty
seat next to her he flashed a