Billy Abbott is definitely hiding something, Amanda mused as she watched him disappear for his run. She knew it wasn't anything salacious in fact she felt it was the opposite. Bits and pieces of the night were slowly coming back to her in fragments, out of focus and distorted. If only she could remember.

Once she finished her coffee, Amanda found the address of Genoa City's Legal Aid Society and arrived at their offices at 9 am sharp to talk about offering legal services pro bono. She spoke to an overworked attorney named Maggie Rider who coordinated volunteers as well as handled cases herself. Maggie was more than happy to hand her a stack of backlogged cases. Amanda found an empty office and began to make phone calls setting up appointments with ten or so clients who had been waiting for services for weeks if not months. She would meet with clients as well as report to the lead attorney once a week. All of which was quite doable.

The case with Devon Hamilton would not take up all of her time and she always wanted to volunteer with the Legal Aid Society in Madison, but never found the time while working for major law firms, where she was pressured to submit at least 50-60 billable hours a week.

Just as she hung up the landline after leaving a message for the last client her cell phone rang. It was Josie.

"As soon as I researched your new playmates name, I knew he was going to be trouble," Josie said when Amanda answered the phone.

"What? What's the matter?" Amanda asked, alarmed. As an attorney, she was well trained both academically and through experience to calmly and fearlessly handle any case. Even the most hardened criminal, the most vindictive judge in the world could not even come close to intimidating her. But when it came to her personal life, her nerves were shot after foolishly being in a two year relationship with an obsessive creep. After she finally woke up with the help of Josie she was able to escape Ripley and file a restraining order. Ripley then filed one in retaliation after Josie paid him a "friendly" visit one night with two of the security guards in her employ. Both of whom played college football.

Physically Amanda was free of Ripley, but in a way he still controlled her. These days she lived in a constant state of anxiety always waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"Don't panic. I shouldn't have started off the conversation like that" Josie apologized. "But there is something you should know. I went to check the police blotter for Genoa City on the GC Buzz website, but before I could get to that section, who do I see but my best friend yucking it up with quote, 'wealthy playboy Billy Abbott.' They're calling you the 'Hilary Curtis look-a-like and Billy's mystery woman.'"

"What? I am totally confused…"

"Go to the GC Buzz website and you'll see what I mean."

Amanda's hands were shaking as she opened her tablet, went to the website and found pictures of her and Billy in Chancellor Park and in front of the small movie theater. Her heart stopped. Josie had scrubbed her entire existence from the internet. Now she was front page news. "Oh my God," Amanda jumped from her seat and began to pace in the small office. "This is bad. The only good thing is they don't know my name. If Ripley sees this he'll know where I am."

Josie sighed loudly over the phone. "That was my first thought too. I'm keeping a close eye on him and he's still where he's supposed to be so that's good," she said. "Now we just have to figure out a strategy on how we're going to deal with this."

"I can't leave Genoa City. I already met with Devon Hamilton, so I have to see this case through. I can't let my client down. Maybe the press won't find out my name in the six or eight weeks that I'm in town to handle this situation. I always knew the press would be all over the Devon Hamilton case once it's concluded but by then I'll be long gone." Amanda paused. "Actually it might be longer. I took on some pro bono cases with the GC Legal Aid Society. That's where I am right now."

"That is so awesome," Josie said and Amanda could hear the smile in her friend's voice. "I know that's something you always wanted to do."

"Yes and there are some really interesting cases. I'll have about ten or so clients and I really want to help, but you know when dealing with legal matters, it's dicey trying to predict how long it's going to take to resolve an issue."

"Maybe you should stay in Genoa City longer than you planned," Josie said. "I wasn't going to suggest you run from that punk again. Getting out of Madison was an excellent strategy that I would not have thought of, but you should be able to live your life without having that loser dictate your movements."

"I should probably stay away from Billy Abbott too since the press is interested in whomever he's dating."

"You don't sound too happy about the prospect of staying away from Billy Abbott. You certainly seemed to be enjoying yourself in these pictures. And you already spent your first night in Genoa City with him."

"Platonically. Nothing physical happened. But I do like him, Josie he is so nice."

"From my research, I discovered William Foster Abbott is a bit of a bad boy. Some misdemeanors in his past, but I'm not seeing any indication that he harms women. I think he's safe. And he's handsome not to mention rich. But I've never known you to be down with the swirl."

"Girl, you know I never swirled and I told him all about it the night I drank too much." Amanda relayed to Josie how Billy had been teasing her with all of the embarrassing moments from their night together.

"Sounds like he has a sense of humor at least," Josie chuckled. Then she grew thoughtful for a moment and there was a pause on the other end of the phone."You know what Mandy, I have an idea that just might work."

"What? Please share."

" If your Billy Abbott is willing to play along, we're going to hide you from Ripley in plain sight."

At exactly two pm, their pre-arranged time, Billy watched Amanda Sinclair enter the restaurant and speak to the maitre d. This gave him a few minutes to observe her before she was guided to their table.

It was like watching Hilary, but during the time he spent with Amanda in Chancellor Park the day before, he noticed subtle differences. For one Amanda's smile was slightly guarded and while he would not say that Hilary was flighty, Amanda had a more austere quality about her in the light of day. When they were drunk she dissolved into a pile of giggles at just about everything-during the worst part of the storm anyway. As the night wore on, she grew more pensive. They both did and the conversation turned very tender. He shared with her things he never told anyone. It was like they'd known each other forever. Billy couldn't explain it. Was it some form of love at first sight? No it was more like an instantaneous bonding that could quickly lead to something more.

"Am I late?" Amanda said and gave him a smile that was a bit restrained. He knew in time she'd drop her defenses. He'd observed this happen twice between them already.

'No, you're right on time," he said, rising as she was seated at the small table across from him. His phone rang. "Excuse me," he said and looked to see who was calling. It was Jack. So far every family member in Genoa City save Kyle had called him that morning while he worked on a secret business plan. Because he wanted to give the project his undivided attention, he didn't answer. No one left a message. Now he was wondering if something had happened to Dina. He'd spoken to Victoria so it couldn't have anything to do with the kids.

"Please take the call if you need to," Amanda said.

"Yeah, it's my brother and I had a barrage of calls from family members. If you don't mind, I'll get back to them after we order."

"If you like, I can order for you."

"I'd appreciate that. Remember I'm a carnivore and I don't look at prices. Please order whatever your heart desires. But I think you and I should stay away from any alcohol." He winked at her.

"Duly noted." Amanda blushed and picked up a menu.

Billy walked away from the table and called Jack only to be sent to voicemail. The same with Tracy. He thought about calling Ashley but felt he'd done his due diligence for the moment. He'd find out what was going on after lunch.

"Is everything okay?" Amanda asked, eyeing him curiously when he rejoined her at the table.

"I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, I couldn't get hold of anyone. But I doubt it's an emergency. So how is your day going?" He took a sip of his water and felt glad to be in Amanda's company. If not he surely would have gone to lunch today with Victoria and they'd be on their way to reconciling for the hundredth time. His latest Gambler's Anonymous sponsor, Augustus, a burly former Hell's Angels biker, told him that he cycled through his relationship with Victoria similar to the way in which you cycle through recovery. You're good for awhile, then you relapse, hit rock bottom, get better only to relapse again. Billy was known to be reckless, but one thing no one understood, save someone like Augustus is that the reason they gambled or drank or stayed in codependent relationships was to feel safe and alive.

To his surprise and delight, he realized he felt that way with Amanda without all of the past break ups and baggage.

"Everything is going very well for me. I'm going to be offering pro bono legal services to clients at the Legal Aid Society, so I'm really excited about that."

"That sounds very interesting," Billy responded. This is what he needed a new person with new interests and no ties to Newman. Someone who did not trigger feelings of deficiency that made him want to self destruct.

"Oh it's very interesting and I"m very excited about getting started." She paused for a moment and seemed uncomfortable.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, I mean," Amanda took a deep breath. "Billy I'm not one to beat around the bush and I have a favor to ask of you, a huge favor and I wouldn't ask if this wasn't really really important."

"Does it have something to do with the case against Devon? Amanda I really have to stay out of it. I've known Devon for years. His late father was a dear family friend and used to date my sister. I used to date his sister."

"This has nothing to do with Devon."

"What is it then?"

"I need you to marry me."

"What?" Billy asked, choking as some of the water went down the wrong pipe.