adjusting the collar of her thickest, highest cashmere sweater. It was charcoal gray and stifli

mask the shadows left by a sleepless weekend. The nausea from the

Irving since his Sunday night "hope you ha

g's Instagram. Nothing. His tagged photos were clean. But the d

sounding like an accusation. The lobby was a hive of activity, heels

up like a lifeline. She made it to the design d

red with fabric swatches, sketches, and half-finis

ali's work friend, rolled her cha

ara whispered, her eyes wide. "But

e forced a smile, booting up he

rew said they found a woman's dress in Ezra's

hot coffee onto her wrist. S

the gala. Everyone is trying to guess who. Some say it wa

g against her ribs. Or maybe a junior a

i said, her voice sound

he aisles. He paused at Hali's desk, picking up a sketch she

glasses. "Very aggressive. It has a certain... disruptive

from her face. "Oh, I... I was

desk. "Don't be so modest. I need you in the con

y before she

chair. Being noticed was danger

ation box popped up in the bottom right corner of her screen

iend R

eople as friends on Slack

ed the no

r:

e:

screen. The avatar

z

he company server. Where IT could see. Wher

er the Accept button

invading her workspace, remind

t going to play this game. She wasn'

or to the Decline

st De

had just rejected the CEO. She was

ed to focus on a spreadsheet,

sk rang. The shrill

ali Andrews," she ans

ice came through the line. "Mr. Gardner

d her eyes

middle of pr

Ms. An

ne wen

ing at her with pity. "You're getting called

, standing up. Her l

hing her notebook to her chest. She pre

oors opened onto the 45th floor, a spac

ide the double mahogany doors. He

righ

to the door

nt

ing window, his back to her. He was wearing a suit that cost mor

ld his phone in his han

iddle of the room, ke

to see me, M

rd her, his steps slow and deliberate. He stop

reen was the notification: Hali

, his dark eyes

ncé?" he asked, his voice low a

red, backing up until her heels hi

boxing her in. The scent of sandalwood enveloped her again, tri

il his mouth was inches from her ear. "And declin

-