Time Changes Everything by Melinda Dozier

but he wasn’t in and –”
    “Amanda, slow down. I’ll help if I can.”
    “Thanks.” She took a deep breath. “I found the perfect site for the fashion show. The proprietor is here with the contract, but I don’t understand some of the terms. He doesn’t even speak much English and I need someone to decipher some of the conditions. He says he has someone else interested for the same night and if I don’t sign now, I’ll lose it.”
    “Give me the address. I’ll be right there.”
    “You don’t have to do this. I know you’re busy.”
    “It’s my pleasure. I deal with contracts on a daily basis.”
    Amanda gave him the address while Jake closed his folder, and grabbed his cell phone.
    Ryan stood outside his door. “Where you off to in such a hurry?”
    “I have an important meeting. Be back in a few.”
     
    ****
     
    Jake walked in the door and barely had time to catch his breath before Amanda met him. Her high heels clicked loudly on the hardwood floor. “I’m sorry to pull you away from your work.”
    “It’s no problem.” Jake rubbed her shoulder.
    Amanda smiled. “The property owner is in the back. Come this way.” She led him through the building.
    The hall was elegant, with high ceilings and columns standing erect in the four corners of the room. She pointed in all directions, explaining how she would drape the ceilings with fabric that would fall to the ground, the runway would edge out in one direction and the audience and buyers would sit around it. The dressing rooms were located behind the stage and the back drapes would display Denalo in bold letters.
    She was electric, and he loved the twinkle in her eyes.  He wanted to pick her up, swing her around and shout to the world, “This is my Mandy! She sets her mind on something and she doesn’t hold back!” But he stopped himself as they approached the property-owner in question. She wasn’t his Mandy... yet.
    When he finished the business with the owner, Amanda happily signed the agreement. She then moved around the store and made sketches of the layout in her notebook, planning her future right in front of him.
    His cell phone rang and he moved to the side of the room to talk. “Jake Edwards.”
    From the corner of his eye, a tall man slithered like a panther toward Amanda. His longer brown hair hung to his neck and he wore a pink shirt and a tie. Jake didn’t like the looks of him.
    Jake shook his head remembering his assistant waited in silence on the opposite end of his call. She had asked a question and he didn’t catch it. “I’ll get back to you, Annette.” Jake said and hung up.
    Something wasn’t right.
    Putting his phone into the breast pocket of his jacket, he turned toward Amanda and the pink-shirt guy, ready to pounce.
    "Dominic? What are you doing here?” Amanda asked.
    So this was the guy she dated. He stepped forward and then stopped. She had made it clear she wanted to manage things herself. He’d let her take care of this schmuck, but he’d be ready if she needed him.
    “Is that any way to say hello? Come now. Give me your kiss.” Dominic bent to kiss her and Amanda moved her head.
    Dominic jerked his head up. “What is this?”
    Jake smirked at Amanda’s reaction. Way to go, baby! Not bearing to watch this interaction from far away any longer, he walked over to her.
    Amanda pushed Dominic away. “How did you find me?”
    Dominic sighed and shook his head. “Your store assistant told me you were here. I came from Paris to see you.”
    “Well, you aren’t welcome.” She turned to look at Jake as he stood next to her.
    “That is very rude, Ma Chérie .” Dominic followed Amanda’s gaze and looked at Jake. “And who is this?”  He placed his hands on his hips. “You already have a new lover?”
    “Maybe he is my new lover. It’s none of your business.” Amanda’s face reddened and her hands balled into fists. “You and I are finished. It’s been months now. I haven’t returned your calls