Damage Control by Elisa Adams

the bedroom and get more comfortable?”
    â€œSounds like a plan.”
    At least it had, until he picked her up in his arms and cradled her close as he carried her down the hall. She rested her head on his shoulder, but at the same time, warning bells went off in her mind. She didn’t need his tenderness. Much more of this and she’d forget why she didn’t want a long-term relationship.
    Getting involved with Brian would tear apart her plans.

Chapter Six
    A few days later, Andrea sat outside Gerald Rogers’ office, legs crossed at the ankles and hands in her lap. She rubbed the fingernail of her left forefinger against her thumb, fighting against the old nail-biting habit she’d thought she left back in college. Rumor around the small office was that her name was on the shortlist of potential partners in the agency, and all morning her stomach had been rolling. She hadn’t been able to sit still. This was exactly what she’d been working toward, practically since she started at Regal.
    Also at the top of the list would be Jack Hoffman, and he was the reason for a good portion of her anxiety. Jack was the kind of man Gerald liked. A young, no-nonsense go-getter who knew how to get the job done. At least that was the face he presented around their boss. Andrea had worked with the younger man long enough to know he was a shark who would do whatever it took to protect what he perceived as his. And he was arrogant enough to believe the partnership was already in the bag for him.
    If Gerald really had Andrea on his list of candidates, she’d do whatever it took to prove Hoffman wrong. Anything . The man deserved to be torn down a few pegs.
    She shifted her feet and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, wishing she’d pulled it back into a bun today. The long strands were anything but professional. She’d gotten used to Brian running his hands through it when they were alone. Now it didn’t feel right to pull it back.
    The door opened and Gerald stuck his head outside. “Come on in, Andrea.”
    She stood, smoothed her skirt down her thighs, and followed him into the office, settling into the chair across from his desk when he gestured to it.
    â€œDo you know why I called you in here today?” he asked.
    â€œNo, sir.”
    â€œI’m sure you’ve heard by now that we’re looking to promote someone to partner in a few months.”
    â€œYes, I did.”
    â€œI would like to let you know I’m considering you for the position. But just to let you know, Jack Hoffman and Stuart Michaels are also in the running.”
    Andrea fought back the smile, knowing Gerald wouldn’t like any overt display of emotion. She’d have to wait until she was back in her office. And then she’d call everyone she knew. Her dream was to be partner by the time she hit thirty. If all went well, she’d be two years early.
    Stuart Michaels wouldn’t be any sort of competition for her. She worked harder than he did, and got the job done faster. But Jack Hoffman was another story. She’d have to start putting in even more extra hours if she wanted to prove to Gerald that she was the right person for the job.
    â€œThank you, sir.”
    â€œYou’re a hard worker, Andrea. Don’t think that hasn’t gone unnoticed. I’m also giving you the Mallory account.”
    Now she couldn’t pull back the smile, though she tried to tone it down some. She’d gone with Gerald to meet with Glen Mallory, owner of the Mallory’s grocery store chain, on his last two appointments to try to woo the man. Mallory had just signed with Regal last week. Andrea had headed projects before, but never one this big.
    â€œThank you again. I appreciate it.”
    â€œI want to see some preliminary ideas by Monday, Andrea. Will that be a problem?”
    â€œOf course not.”
    â€œWell, then, I look forward to working closely with