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If part of her stayed braced, always braced, for whatever Dobbs would try next, she wouldn’t let it interfere with what she loved.

When her phone rang, she stepped back from the beginnings of her new board.

Sonya picked up the phone, and her heart dropped a little when she saw the display.

By Design.

No, she wouldn’t let the fact it might be Brandon stop her from answering her own phone.

“This is Sonya.”

“Sonya, Laine Cohen. Can I put you on speaker? Matt’s here, too.”

“Yes, of course. Hi, Matt!”

She pictured them both, in Laine’s office, the view of the Boston Common behind her. Laine with her sharp wedge of hair the color of Sonya’s formal dining room table. She’d have a pair of readers—some bold color—on a chain around her neck.

And her partner, Matt, sitting on the L of Laine’s desk, his glossy blond hair catching the light through the big window.

They’d been good for her, good to her from her start as an intern right through her resignation.

“How are you doing?” Matt asked. “How’s Maine?”

“I’m doing really well, and I love Maine. Wait just a second.”

Because they’d been good to her, good for her, she walked to the open window.

“Hear that? That’s the Atlantic. I’m looking at it, and the boats on it, from my office window.”

“You sound happy,” Laine commented.

“I am, very. How are both of you?”

“Busy, which makes us both happy. Sonya, Matt and I wanted to call you and congratulate you on the Ryder account.”

“Thank you. That’s so… that’s so you.”

“We’ve spoken with Miranda Ryder, and with Burt,” Matt put in. “Both speak highly of you, and your work. I hope you know Laine and I feel the same.”

“I do. I wouldn’t be where I am, professionally, without the foundation you gave me.”

“That’s not to say we’re not disappointed to lose that account, but,” Laine added, “you earned it. Now, after considerable… discussion, Matt and I agreed we needed to speak with you on another matter. We were informed about Brandon’s behavior and actions at Ryder.”

Sonya walked away from the window, began to pace. “That door’s closed for me.”

“I hope it is. Matt and I met with Brandon before his presentation, one that was scheduled so as to avoid any overlap with yours. At that time, we directed him, clearly, firmly, that if for any reason the two of you crossed paths, he would remain professional, polite, refrain from discussing your past history. He was there to represent By Design, and we expected him to meet those standards.”

“He failed. Laine and I want you to know we’re sorry for it.”

“It’s not your fault. Not what happened at Ryder, not the past history.”

“Regardless. He represented us. Matt and I were very clear. Brandon chose to ignore our directive.”

“Childish,” Matt muttered. “Petty.”

“We met with Brandon regarding this incident. He claims you deliberately waylaid him, insulted him, Matt, me.”

That fired her up. “I did no such thing! I promise you, I—”