Source One

bill later. Amber picked up her purse and walked into the kitchen.
    As she’d done with the whole house, her mother had modernized the kitchen on a tight budget. The original cabinets had never been replaced, but her mother had had them painted a few years ago.
    Her mother sat at the kitchen table, a small mountain of pills in front of her. She swallowed one, took a sip of orange juice and looked up at Amber.
    “You look beautiful, honey.”
    “Thanks, Mom.”
    “Have a great first day.”
    Amber bit her lip. “Hopefully it goes well.”
    Her mother’s eyes were blue. A mirror of her own. Now they bore into hers. “They’re lucky to have you. Don’t forget that, Amber.”
    Amber nodded. She kissed her mother’s cheek and walked into the garage.
    Two years ago, mindful of her college loans, she’d gotten a “new” car.
    The new car was now eight years old, a white Toyota SUV. It might have nearly a hundred thousand miles on it, but it drove like a dream and hadn’t given her a problem yet. If only everything else in life were as smooth.
    “Follow me,” Michelle said half an hour later, after Amber had filled out some forms. “It’s time to meet your new boss.”
    Michelle knocked on the door of Mr. Nichols’ office.
    “Come in,” a deep voice called.
    Amber stepped in after Michelle.
    “Brian, this is Amber Clark. Amber, Brian Nichols.”
    Amber’s breath caught. The man sitting at the desk was even more handsome than his picture.
    His green eyes turned to her. Captivating eyes, but eyes that didn’t look happy to meet her. In fact, he seemed to be frowning.
    A second later, he stood. Stuck out his hand. “You can call me Brian.”
    Amber gazed up at him. Even with heels, she was probably half a foot shorter than he was.
    He was built like a football player. Strong. Muscular.
    Amber forced a smile and shook his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
    ***
    Brian looked at Amber’s retreating form and frowned. He knew her type. Attractive. Extremely attractive.
    Blonde hair, high cheekbones, blue eyes. A woman with a perfect face. The body to match. She was used to men falling all over her.
    Well, she wasn’t going to get that from him.
    He blew out a breath and turned his attention back to the papers on his desk.
    ***
    Two hours later, Mr. Nichols buzzed for Amber.
    She quickly rose and knocked on his door.
    “Come in.”
    Amber opened the door and walked to Mr. Nichols’ desk.
    The keys continued to click on his laptop.
    Amber tightly gripped the pen and pad she was holding and refused to fidget.
    What felt like a full minute later, he finally turned to her.
    “When I buzz for you, you don’t need to knock. You can just come in.”
    Amber raised her brow. “All right. Thank you.”
    Mr. Nichols gestured to one of the chairs in front of his desk. He started to give her a list of what he needed that week.
    “A mailing with a progress update needs to go out to my clients. Have Michelle show you how.”
    ***
    Amber nodded and scribbled something down. She looked up at Brian when she finished and offered him a smile.
    Enough of that. He’d make it clear that he wasn’t going to flirt with her.
    He narrowed his eyes.
    Brian watched the smile disappear from her face and a flush spread across it. She looked down at the floor before meeting his eyes again.
    “Do-do you need anything else from me?”
    Brian shook his head.
    Amber nodded. She rose and quickly left his office.
    ***
    Amber’s mother took her hand as she came into the bedroom and sat down at her bedside that night. “How was your day, honey?”
    Amber shrugged. “The CEO I’m working for. He could have been a little nicer.”
    Her mother’s eyes clouded.
    Amber quickly pressed her lips together. She needed to remember who needed whom these days.
    Amber forced a smile. “It’ll be fine, Mom. I just need to get used to everything.”
    Her mother nodded slowly.
    “I was going to make some pasta for dinner. Does that sound good to you?”
    Her mother nodded again. “I’m hungry tonight.”
    Her mother hadn’t had an appetite all week. Amber grinned and kissed her cheek.

CHAPTER 4
     
    It was Monday of Amber’s second week at Source One. She had arrived at work ten minutes ago and was now sitting in Mr. Nichols office.
    He was on a call, with his back turned to her.  She glanced around the room as she waited for him to finish. There weren’t many personal touches in the office. Amber looked at the frame on his desk.