Source One

leather briefcase and a large coffee cup. She set the briefcase on the floor and gestured to the counter. “You don’t want anything?”
    Amber shook her head. “No. I’m fine.”
    The nerves were already flitting inside of her stomach. She didn’t want to risk them getting worse.
    Amber glanced at the papers the woman had taken out of her bag and saw her own writing.
    She had filled the forms out two weeks ago and mailed them in.
    “So you were never convicted.”
    Amber sucked in a breath, shook her head. “No. It didn’t even go to trial.”
    “But there’s an arrest on your record.”
    Amber bit her lip. “Yes.” She hoped Brenda’s mother was seated far enough away that she couldn’t hear.
    Michelle looked up from the papers and held Amber’s gaze. “Why don’t you tell me about yourself?”
    Amber nodded. She told Michelle about her education, her nursing career, her mother’s illness. She paused and then explained her arrest.
    Michelle had been taking notes. She looked up as Amber finished.
    Michelle asked a few more questions, including how proficient Amber was in Microsoft Office.
    “Amber, I work for a company called Source One. We do software coding for smartphones’ wi-fi connectivity. I’ll bet I can find something for you there.”
    Amber wet her lips. “Really?”
    Michelle nodded and reached into her pocket. She handed Amber a card. “Why don’t you come into the office Monday. Does 9 a.m. work for you?”
    Amber blinked. “Yes. Absolutely.”
    “Good.” Michelle smiled and stood. She held out her hand. “See you Monday.”
    Later that day, Amber researched Source One. She clicked on the About Us link. A profile for the CEO, Brian Nichols, came up, along with a picture.
    Amber’s eyes widened at the image of brown hair and green eyes. Mr. Nichols was young. And one very handsome man.
    Amber read all of the information the company website provided. Source One had an exclusive contract with the largest smartphone manufacturer.
    Mr. Nichols’ profile said he was thirty-two. Eight years older than she was. Amber sat back and exhaled a breath. She doubted she’d accomplish anything like he had by the time she was in her early thirties.
    ***
    On Monday at 9, Amber pulled up to Source One’s office - a three-story, compact brick building in Mill Valley.
    She walked from the parking lot to the back entrance. Neat shrubs with pink blooms decorated the pathway.
    Nerves churned Amber’s stomach as she looked at the directory and walked up the staircase. Source One took up the second floor of the building. Amber inhaled a breath and pulled open the glass door.
    “You’re going to interview for Mr. Nichols’ assistant,” Michelle told her a few minutes later. “His current assistant is being promoted.”
    Michelle led Amber to her office and handed her a document. “Let’s see how fast you can type.”
    Amber retyped the letter and printed it out. She gave it to Michelle.
    “Looks good ,” Michelle said. “That was fast, too.”
    They spoke for a few minutes and then Michelle showed Amber around Source One. Amber guessed that about thirty people worked there. Offices, like Michelle’s, were set against the windows. Rows of grey cubicles stood in the center of the room.
    After the tour, Michelle turned to Amber. “Can you start on Monday?”
    Amber raised her brow. “I’m hired?”
    “You’re hired.”
    “I don’t need to interview with Mr. Nichols?”
    “No. Normally I’d have you meet him, but he’s away on business until Monday.” Michelle smiled. “Don’t worry. He trusts my judgment.”
    Amber wet her lips. “What about my background?”
    “No one’s going to find out about it,” Michelle said firmly.
    Amber pressed her lips together.
    “Listen, Amber. I started here as an admin. Now I handle HR and finance. I have confidence in you, and we all deserve a chance. Can you start on Monday?” she asked again.
    Amber quickly nodded. “Definitely. Thank you so much.”

CHAPTER 3
     
    Amber looked at herself in the full length mirror of her bedroom on Monday morning. She smoothed the black peplum dress. Made sure the black heels she’d pulled out of her closet worked with the outfit.
    She’d bought several dresses that weekend. Aside from the suit she’d interviewed in last week, she hadn’t had much in the way of professional clothes. Her attire as a nurse had been much different.
    She’d needed the clothes. She’d worry about the credit card