Chapter 3

Amy's POV

He was hot. He was a knockout, every girl's dream. He was even more handsome and good-looking since the last time I met him, if that was possible.

All of his most positive features had sharpened and become emphasized, while any blemishes he might have had had disappeared.

His silky black hair was neatly combed, sweeping over his forehead and falling slightly into his eyes, and his eyes were the same almond brown as they were before.

He was the one who recovered first. His look of surprise melted into a look of mild interest as one of his eyebrows arched up, and a slight smirk flickered about his lips.

The smirk made it look as if he thought he was better than I was. As if he thought we were both in the same position we were in the last time we met. As if he was the cat and I was the mouse.

I hated him for that. I hated him for thinking that. Mostly because it was probably true.

Ian's POV

She was stunning, gorgeous. Definitely more beautiful than the last time we had met. She had her reddish brown hair pulled back into a sloppy ponytail that made her beauty look effortless. She had the same pretty green eyes as before, the color of jade.

I immediately tried to arrange my face into a mask of indifference, but I could feel a smile creeping onto my face all the same.

I watched as Amy still continued to stare at me, her face shocked. And then something changed. I could see anger spreading over her face, putting a fire in her eyes and making her purse her lips.

I could tell what she was thinking about me. I could tell she was thinking I was a horrible, arrogant, conceited, self-centered jerk, that I hadn't changed a bit.

I hated her for that. I hated her for thinking that. Mostly because it was probably true.

Amy's POV

Maggie was the one who nudged me out of my thoughts. "Mrs. Palico, this is Amy Cahill."

Mrs. Palico smiled slightly as I drew my eyes away from Ian. "Well, I'm delighted to have a new intern working with us. I'm sure you'll do a wonderful job.

As I nodded, my hand automatically went up to fiddle with my hair - a nervous habit I hadn't been able to get rid of.

"Now, we are about to have a meeting," Mrs. Palico said. "You will catch up soon enough. Come, sit." She beckoned to the seat on her left side. Gingerly I walked over and sat down in the chair beside her. Ian sat opposite me, while Maggie sat somewhere on the other side of the table. I couldn't help wishing she'd sat closer.

Soon people started filtering in. Sabrina came in first, followed by two women around Maggie's age, a mix of middle-aged women and men, and lastly a young man around thirty.

All of the chairs filled up quickly. As Mrs. Palico stood, all squeaking of chairs and rustling of papers stopped.

"As some may have already noticed, Ian has returned as an intern. We also have a new intern."

A short silence followed as Mrs. Palico looked at me expectantly and I realized she wanted me to introduce myself.

"Um, I'm Amy C-Cahill," I said, blushing. A half-hearted applause echoed around the room. I tried to avoid looking at the people around me, especially Ian. All attention was soon drawn back to Mrs. Palico as the meeting started.

I knew I should have listened to the meeting, but all of the finer points escaped me save for a few main clients and stocks. My mind wandered over different topics. The one time I glanced up at Ian, however, he seemed immersed in the meeting

After a while, everyone rose and I realized the meeting was over. As everyone exited the room, I stood up to follow them. Mrs. Palico's hand on my shoulder stopped me. She waited until everyone was out of the room except her, Ian, and me.

"Amy, for the next week I want you to follow along with Maggie. I'm sure that right now there are some things she could use help with." I nodded quickly, eager to please.

Mrs. Palico nodded curtly, and with that she exited the room. That just left Ian and me.

We stared at each other for a few seconds before I unfroze, and, turning on my heels, practically ran out of the room.

As I looked for Maggie, there were several thoughts bouncing around in my head. I didn't know if Ian would have said anything had I stayed, but I couldn't bear talking to him - not yet. A part of me wanted to talk to him, all right. A part of me couldn't help wondering if he would have said something. A part of me felt ashamed for running out so quickly. But I pushed all those to the side. At least I had sent a message. How more clear of a sign could I have given that I didn't want anything to do with him?

Ian's POV

It was Mrs. Palico that nudged me out of my thoughts.

"Well, I'm delighted to have a new intern working with us. I'm sure you'll do a wonderful job."

Amy switched her attention to Mrs. Palico quickly. I couldn't help noticing that she immediately started twirling her hair. A sign of nervousness, no doubt.

"Now, we are about to have a meeting," Mrs. Palico said. "You will catch up soon enough. Come, sit." She beckoned to the seat beside her.

The gesture surprised me. Mrs. Palico usually only offered this to long-time employees, not new interns. But I didn't mention anything. When Mrs. Palico did something, you could be sure she had a reason.

I took my usual spot on Mrs. Palico's right, directly opposite from Amy. Soon all the employees started coming in for the meeting. By the time Mrs. Palico stood, everyone had already positioned themselves comfortably.

Mrs. Palico started by announcing that I'd returned as an intern, and, after applause, followed up by saying we had a new one.

Amy suddenly got a strange look on her face, one of a frightened puppy, as she quietly murmured her name. A light applause started for her while she pointedly stared at the table.

I was surprised. I'd thought she'd have gotten over her fear of crowds or public speaking after so long. Apparently not.

I couldn't help but not pay attention as the meeting started and then droned on and on. I'd long ago developed a poker face that could convince anyone I was really paying attention.

It seemed the meeting took forever to end, and I think I was the first one up. As everyone exited the room, however, I lingered. Soon the only people left were Amy, Mrs. Palico, and me.

"Amy, for the next week I want you to follow along with Maggie. I'm sure that right now there are some things she could use help with," Mrs. Palico said curtly. Then, after making sure Amy had understood and nodded, Mrs. Palico quickly exited. That left just Amy and me.

We stared at each other for a few seconds before I unfroze. Just as I was about to open my mouth to say something witty and intelligent - or really stupid - Amy turned around and ran out of the room.

That left me in shock. For a few seconds I simply stood there, thoughts whirling around in my head. When she first saw me, she was shocked. Then angry. Then shy. Then distant. Now it seemed as if she just wanted to avoid talking to me - or was afraid to. That's what I couldn't understand about girls. They sent mixed messages. How more confusing of a sign could she have given about what she felt about me?