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It was funny what one little email could do to a person. Rosie had read and re-read the first ever direct email she’d received from Jessica Frost since she had opened it yesterday. The chief executive of the company and her hero in architecture. Jessica had asked to speak with her first thing this morning, and Rosie’s heart hadn’t calmed down since.

As she scanned her pass at the main door to the office, everything felt heightened. Today was a big fucking day. The doors to the swanky office opened and her heart fluttered again. This was no normal meeting. No one got an individual meeting request from the big boss. It just didn’t happen, unless you were a principal architect or Rich, or getting fired for gross misconduct.

Taking a seat at her desk, she turned on her laptop and her two screens booted up. As she waited, the question she couldn’t figure out swirled around in her head.

What was this meeting about?

Worst case, it was a dressing down for being so weird in the bathroom at a glorified client meeting. What would it have looked like if a client or someone from RIBA had come in when she, an employee of JF Architecture, was crawling around on the floor with only one shoe on?

That was ages ago. Why would she have waited this long to scold Rosie or, she sighed, fire her ass? It didn’t make sense. So, if it wasn’t about that, what was it about?

She opened the meeting invite email again. She couldn’t help it.

Rosie,

There’s something I’d like to discuss with you tomorrow first thing. I hope the time suits.

Thanks,

Jessica

“It’s destiny calling.” Carla appeared by her shoulder with an amused expression.

Rosie closed the email and turned around to face her properly. She’d messaged Carla about it last night and had received no end of teasing about her excitement and terror over the meeting. She agreed it would be funny how she was reacting to this if it wasn’t her. But it was her, and she couldn’t seem to get her emotions under control.

Rosie kept her face neutral. “Good morning.”

Carla smiled, kindly. Her short curly brown hair was particularly bouncy this morning. “Keeping your cool, I see. Good plan. And good morning. What a day. How are you feeling?”

“I’m so nervous.” Rosie grimaced.

Carla sat at her own desk next to Rosie’s and her expression softened. “It’s going to be okay. I bet she wants to speak to you for something good.”

“I hope so.”

It was only eight-forty-five and she already felt wrung out by the workday. She faced her screens again and answered a few emails.

When the time came for the meeting, Rosie stood and let out a shaky breath.

“Good luck,” Carla said, with real concern in her eyes, behind her encouraging smile.

“Thank you.”

Rosie’s legs were like jelly as she headed across the open-plan floor to Jessica’s office. The vertical blinds were drawn and the door was closed, as usual. Should she knock or go right in? What was the protocol here?

The door opened before Rosie could decide.

“Good morning,” Jessica said, politely, before walking into her office leaving Rosie at the threshold.

Jessica’s office was fitting for an architect CEO, with the usual stuff like desk and computer, chairs, filing cabinet, shelving units and a printer. She also had her sit-stand drawing board in one corner and her meeting table below her huge flat-screen TV in the other. It was all very sophisticated and minimalist. Apart from the piece of art behind her desk, a stunning sunset over some mountains, there wasn’t much personal stuff at all. Although there was another room of some sort around the corner which Rosie couldn’t see into. Rosie closed the door behind her and took a seat across from Jessica’s desk as Jessica watched her. She felt her gaze on her like a lion eyeing up its prey. Rosie’s heart was beating hard. There was something so mysterious and magnetic about this woman, beyond how physically attractive she obviously was.

“Thank you for meeting with me this morning,” Jessica said, evenly.

“It’s really no problem.”

There was a short silence, with more Jessica sizing her up. She had this way about her of seeming so calm and in control of any situation. From afar, Rosie found it so interesting. But when it was directed at her, she squirmed. Rosie felt like she was being assessed but it was a silent interview and she was unprepared.

“I recently submitted an application for a new project. We won the contract.”

“Congratulations, that’s great news.”

“It’s not a typical JF Architecture project, but I’m very excited about it. I haven’t shared any details with the rest of the team yet.”

Rosie listened, confused as to why she was telling Rosie this information before others.

“The contract is for a post-industrial waterfront in a low-income and socially disadvantaged town in the west of Scotland called Clydebank. It’s essentially a landscape architecture job mixed with some urban design. Themes are heritage, health and wellbeing, and boosting visitors to the area. In a nutshell, we’re building a park.”

Rosie leaned forward.

Jessica looked at her directly in the eyes. Under the intensity of Jessica’s gaze, Rosie held firm. Just because she was harbouring a secret crush on her hot-as-fuck boss didn’t mean she couldn’t come across as a professional. More importantly than the crush, way more importantly, she wanted Jessica to respect her.

“I’d like you to work on the project with me, as project manager. I will be the principal architect.”

Rosie felt her eyes widen. Of all the things she’d considered happening at this meeting, being offered a new project, a new project working closely with Jessica was so not on that list.

“Seriously? You want me?” The words were out of her mouth before she could censor herself. Fuck. “…To work on the project with you?”

Jessica continued sizing her up. It was getting unnerving. As if she wasn’t already totally unnerved and blown away by this shocking proposition.

“I would like you to manage the project and lead on the day-to-day delivery. Once we get the overall design approved, you will lead on the design of the individual structures and sections. I will direct you on the project and have final sign off on everything.”

“I don’t know what to say. I mean, thank you, of course.” She gesticulated with her hands before putting them on her lap and taking a breath. “You don’t normally work on projects as a principal architect. I know you still design, obviously, but I didn’t know you still worked that closely on delivery.”

“I don’t, usually, but I would like to on this one. I would like to get more involved. I often feel too distant from the actual work that we do.”

Shit. Why the hell had Rosie challenged the chief exec on her decision making and got her to explain herself? She shook her head at her own stupidity and in disbelief that Jessica had explained herself so freely. “That makes sense. I’m sorry for asking.”

Jessica crossed her legs. “There’s no need to apologise. It is unusual for me, so you’re right to question it. If this project is to be a success, we will need to work well together, and I’ll need you to ask me difficult questions like that. Don’t be afraid to speak your mind.”

Rosie stayed quiet; she needed time to process what was happening. This was the opportunity of her career, and she could not fuck it up.

“Do you have any more questions?” Jessica said, after a few moments.

“I do.” Rosie cleared her throat, still not having processed anything. She felt like she was in some sort of dream, as though the meeting was plucked from a fantasy. “Why are you asking me?”

Jessica’s expression was neutral and, if Rosie wasn’t mistaken, kind. She didn’t appear fazed by the question. It was almost like she expected it. “I asked Rich to recommend the best project manager for this job and he immediately suggested you. I agreed with him.”

Rosie nodded, trying to project an air of confidence but inside she wanted to scream like an excited little kid.

“You have a background in landscape architecture, right?”

“Yes.”

“That’s excellent,” Jessica said, matter-of-factly. “I need someone who is passionate about this type of architecture and who can pick up the community engagement side of things. I hear you are very strong in that area too. It’s something I’d like you to take the lead on, engaging with the stakeholders, locals, and community groups.”

Jessica had heard this about her? This was the best thing someone had ever said to her at work. “Yes. Absolutely.”

“Rich and others speak very highly of you. But most importantly, I want someone who is hungry to do an exceptional job and who isn’t bogged down with other huge projects at the moment.”

Rosie gulped. She already knew she’d remember this moment for the rest of her life.

“If you feel like that accurately describes you then I’d encourage you to consider working with me on this project.”

“I don’t need to consider it. I love the sound of it and I’m one hundred percent on board. I’m honoured that you want me to manage it.”

“Perfect. I’ll send you all the details and documents I have as soon as I can. I have back-to-back meetings today, so it might be later this afternoon. We will meet tomorrow morning to get started. We need to hit the ground running. We have no time to waste.”

“I can’t wait to get started.” Rosie stood, smiling from ear to ear. She wanted to shake Jessica’s hand or jump for joy but instead she waved her hands in the air, giving Jessica a double thumbs up. Cringing, she dropped her hands and clasped them behind her back as if to pretend the uninhibited gesture had not just happened, but it was too late.

Jessica raised both eyebrows as her infamous ‘slightly displeased’ expression came back.

Rosie bowed her head. All she ever seemed to do around Jessica was make a fool of herself.

“There is one other thing.” Jessica’s smooth and clear voice broke the body language nightmare Rosie was having.

“Yes?”

“You can let people know you’re working on a new project with me, if you wish, but please keep the details of the project to yourself for now. I’m going to make an announcement soon, but I want to assemble my team first.”

“Absolutely. No problem. Thanks again for the opportunity.”

Jessica gave her a curt nod as if to dismiss her. Rosie mirrored the gesture and left without any more flailing thumbs.

Carla was in a meeting when she got back to the desks. It was torture not being able to tell her right away. She put in a meeting request for when Carla got back and spent the next hour staring at her screens trying to make it look like she was busy working when in reality her mind was in overdrive.

On the way to the small meeting room with Carla, Rosie couldn’t stop smiling.

“You look euphoric,” Carla said, marching beside her. “What the hell is going on?”

As soon as the door was closed behind them, Rosie told her.

“Oh my God. This is amazing! I’m so happy for you. You deserve a big break like this.” Carla hugged her, tears welling up in her eyes. “What’s the project?”

“I’m not allowed to share yet, but I think it’s okay to say that it really excites me. Like, I love it.”

“That’s brilliant! Ah, the suspense!”

“She wants us to start tomorrow.”

Carla shook her head, concern growing in her eyes. “How are you going to deal with this, you know, given that you have a massive crush on her and all that.”

Rosie exhaled. Since the incident in the bathroom at the RIBAs, Rosie’s crush had grown. Jessica was kind underneath that icy exterior. She was literally Rosie’s dream woman. It was nothing she couldn’t handle, though. “It won’t be a problem.”

Carla eyed her. “If you say so.”

“There’s no way I’d let it get in the way of this opportunity. I want her and senior management to think I’m good enough to be a principal architect. It’s now or never.”

“You are going to fucking nail this opportunity, Rosie. I know you will.”

Later that night, while making dinner, Rosie checked her work email again. She tried not to check her emails outside of work hours, but waiting on an email from Jessica Frost was no small thing. It was there. Jessica had sent her the email with all the information just after seven, along with apologies for sending it to her so late. It was a staggeringly long email and there were about seven attachments of various documents including about a dozen links within the text. It was a shame Jessica was working so late. Hopefully she was okay and not burning herself out.

Rosie caught herself. Those types of thoughts were dangerous. What she said to Carla was true, but the close proximity was surely going to be a challenge. She could do this. Pulled from her thoughts by a loud hiss, she grabbed the pot off the stove and finished preparing her meal.

After dinner, she pulled up Jessica’s email again and read as much as she could so she could be as prepared as possible for tomorrow. Rosie took pride in her work, but she knew that if she was going to win Jessica’s trust, respect, and approval, she needed to be on top of her game at all times.

Once Rosie had read everything in the email, she sat back and blew out a long, daunted breath. It was an intriguing project for Jessica to take on. Rosie couldn’t work out why Jessica would want to do this one. Why would one of the top architects in the country take on this backwater project? The company normally worked on edgy and industry-leading projects that changed the way the world saw the potential for different types of architecture.

This project was not that.

It was going to be a gritty endeavour, and it was going to involve managing a bunch of other professionals to get it done on time. That was the main thing bothering her. Rosie was going to have to orchestrate this with a firm hand, and that was not exactly her strong point.

As the full picture of the situation became clear to her, though, Rosie felt more excited than nervous. She loved everything about the actual project and was super motivated to make it a lovely space for the local community who would benefit the most out of it.

She was from a similar sort of town herself, so she understood what it meant.

Jessica had been open and enthusiastic this morning. What was it about this redevelopment that had her boss so motivated?

Rosie stayed sitting cross-legged on her sofa, with her laptop in front of her, searching the internet for everything she could find about her boss.

Unsurprisingly, there was very little publicly available information that Rosie didn’t already know. On the company website, there were links to interviews she’d done and papers and articles she’d written. Rosie had read these many times before, but she read them again to look for clues.

Her career journey was captured in an interview with the Royal Institute of British Architecture, not long after she’d first won Building of the Year. After an undergraduate degree at University College London where she qualified as an architect and a postgraduate degree at Cambridge in Architecture and the Built Environment, she began working in industry, gaining experience in a variety of companies. During this time, she managed to complete a PhD at the University of Sheffield in Urban Design and Engineering. While furthering her knowledge through her PhD, she managed to hold down jobs working on increasingly large and high-profile architectural projects. Once she completed her PhD, she got a job with Boughton, one of the other top architecture firms in the UK and worked on a range of commercial, industrial, urban and landscape projects. Within two years one of her designs was shortlisted for a RIBA award for Best Newcomer, which she won. She made principal architect the year later before setting up JF Architecture at thirty-four.

The company grew quickly, working on top projects around the country and internationally. Her most notable designs, and the ones Rosie had admired from afar, covered art galleries, private luxury homes, high-rise buildings and Rosie’s favourite, a revamped square within one of London’s less affluent boroughs. An interview in The Guardian after The Roses opened gained national attention. Jessica was exceptional. Rosie already knew this.

But when Rosie searched Frost in the online archives of the local newspaper where they would be doing the project, she gasped. An article from the nineties showed a picture of a man called James Frost, who had to be a relative of Jessica’s because he looked just like her. They had the same eyes and the same mouth. There was no mistaking the similarity. Rosie thought there might be something in the local newspaper to shed some light on why the most successful architect of their generation was choosing to redevelop a forgotten town. And she was right. Scrolling past the tons of weather reports had paid off. James Frost, a local businessperson, had been convicted of money laundering and was being sent to prison. He had been arrested in connection to some serious drug dealers. His garage and taxi business had been used to clean a sizeable chunk of cash flow. The man claimed he was coerced into it and had no involvement but that had been thrown out by the judge. The article ended by saying he had a wife and a fourteen-year-old daughter.

Rosie’s mind raced. Was he Jessica’s father? Was this why Jessica hadn’t talked about her background, ever? Rosie dug for more on the local newspaper’s online archives. After endless scrolling she found it. A picture of a teenage Jessica in an article about her having won a local drawing competition for brightening up the train station platform.

Jessica was from the town.

Rosie sat up straight on her sofa, unable to believe it. Jessica was smiling so brightly, full of pride and youthful excitement. It was in stark contrast to Jessica’s usual neutral expressions now. The drawings were excellent, of course. They depicted trains and gardens and flowers and people milling around. Her drawings were positioned all over the train station. The one that stood out to Rosie was one that had writing on it, above a row of people in linked arms, which said Clydebank Welcomes You . In the article, Jessica thanked her grandmother for encouraging her to draw and for bringing her up.

Rosie’s heart ached and she only knew the scraps of details contained in these thirty-year-old articles. Why didn’t Jessica say that she was from the town this morning? There was a total disconnect from the person Rosie knew at work, in their architecture circles, and what this information suggested: not an easy ride.

Rosie’s eyes stung from tiredness and staring at a screen all evening. It was late and she had to get a good sleep so she could do well tomorrow. Getting ready for bed, she felt a mixture of emotions. Her euphoria from this morning had changed into something else after finding out about Jessica’s background. It was no longer just about making this new job a success for the town and for her own career and getting Jessica and everyone at work to think highly of her. It was bigger than that now. She would make this a success for Jessica and for all that she must have gone through to become the person that she was today.

Turning off her bedside lamp, there was only one thought in her head. She was going to give this project everything she had, much as if her life depended on it, because in some weird way, it felt like it did.