Tears pooled in my eyes and escaped down my cheek. I wiped them away and groaned. “I have nothing to wear! What was I thinking buying this crap?” I yelled. “Not a single pair of pumps matches anything in my closet!”

Jared sat on the end of bed, letting me express my anger and frustration with an understanding expression. After the rage-fueled tirade to find the right pair of shoes, I rode with Jared to Titan Mercantile.

We didn't speak for most of the trip. Jared kept his eyes on the road, no doubt formulating a plan for the next step in finding the book. I was too tired to initiate conversation, or to try to find out piece by piece what plan of action he was considering.

“See you soon,” Jared smiled.

I kissed his cheek, and then stepped out onto the curb, looking back once more before pushing through the entrance doors.

Beth waited me for me in my office, already organizing my call list in order of importance.

“And don’t forget the conference with the Japanese firm at nine,” she said, her head down.

“I’ve told you a million times, Beth. Yawatahama. It’s not that hard if you practice.”

Beth raised her hands in frustration and then dropped them, letting the papers in her hands slap her thighs. “I sound ridiculous,” she said. “Sasha laughs at me every time I try.”

“Oh, to hell with Sasha. Ask her to say something German. She sounds like a bloated mule.”

Beth laughed out loud, surprised at my mood. “You’re not sleeping again, are you?”

Two quick knocks, and then Grant opened my office door wide, keeping his hand on the knob. “The prodigal daughter returns! How was your trip?”

“Great, Grant. I’m busy, what do you need?” I said, putting the phone to my ear.

His expression screwed, his nose wrinkling in disgust. “The Bainbridge group will be here in twenty minutes, Nina. Why didn’t you just wear pajamas?”

From collarbone to scalp, the burn of infuriation ignited my face in what I was sure was a beautiful shade of tomato red. My outstretched arm, with a rigid, pointed finger at the end, silently warned Grant to leave.

“Back away slowly, Mr. Bristol. No sudden movements,” Beth said.

Grant nodded, stepping backward until he was out of sight.

Beth placed a small bag on my desk. “Foundation, blush, mascara and gloss. Get it on. I’ll meet you downstairs in fifteen.”

She closed the door softly behind her, and I took a deep breath. Just get through the day, I thought.

My cell phone rang once. “Not now, Jared,” I said aloud, knowing he could hear. The second ring cut short. “Thank you,” I whispered. I opened the compact from Beth’s bag, and looked at myself in the mirror. “Holy Banshee, Nina! Get yourself together!” I said to myself.