d the bomb

ed to talk ab

air, the one that used to be

enderson accou

erious, a mask

really tight. We ha

much as his, maybe more. I was the Chief Creative Officer, th

yes. "It's going to take a significant hit f

d a number that made my br

managed. "If it'

ell, dug years ago in college when he'

h Instagram, a bright, shiny

stant, barely out of college, beami

! So grateful for the surpri

rk' s executive spot, the

prise

s slashed because

t thinking, my thumb double-tapped the screen. A litt

Mark called an "

room was thick. Chloe sat

. "Your recent social media activit

tured

sensitivities of the company, is seen as passive-aggressive. It'

at him, s

re month's salary – the already reduced amount – will be docked. It will

yes with a tissue, he

much. I don't want Sarah

ent, except for

ned through me,

id, my voice sur

er eyes wide wi

e because of little old me! M

, then back at me, h

need you. And per your contract, voluntary resignation mean

nces but said nothing. They knew my work, knew wh

e conference room,

vy in my hand. I

cessful marketing agency across town. We' d been classmates, Sarah, Mark, and I. J

It's

's up? You s

um," I said, the wo

was a

Creative Director position open. It's yours if you want it. Significant pay raise from wh

of that stupid, deep-seated loyalty to

ave of relief washing ov

sure, but I' d put down seventy percent of the down payment from my grandmother' s inh

t like a loyal friend as I drove it to the Moment

regular parking spot, a f

eding around the corner

right into m

l was sickening. M

, Chloe already stumbling out o

me, his attention all on Chloe. "Were you not looking?

e scratch on her Tesla' s bumper, while t

ed! My bea

need to apologize to Chloe right now. An

t stunned me. I t

We should call the police and our insur

anted a scene, wanted m

idn't like m

. "Sarah, come on. Don't make this a big deal. Just say sorry to Chloe, w

record that his new favor

ck. "I'm calling my insurance.

de. "You'll regret this, Sarah. Y

et? The only regret I had

away from the scene, fro

n I start

"Welcome to Vanguar

ence was deafening. Mark w

my life into boxes

om our college days. Sketches for our first joint marketing compet

logo I' d designed. His handwrit

each sketch into the shredder I' d bought for

ed every digital file, every share

g a limb, but a gang

-up mattress at my brother David' s spa

had

college ring – reaching for hers. The location tag: "Uchi." The expensive sushi plac

ow to make a girl feel be

wasn't pain. It was...nothing. Just

sed t

ext night. He must have wheedled

my absolute favorite, the kind you had

ed tired, a little lost. The

ed history, everything we built." He se

Hill Country wedding venues

thick. The old Mar

' s signature scent, something fruity and o

ose in m

aid, my voice flat. "And th

. He tried to

on't be l

. "I think yo

're really going to throw everything away over a mis

the coffee table, a

onday," I said. "My lawyer wil

stormed out, slammin

cheap perfume lingered in

firmed it. Mark' s name on the deed meant he had to agree to sel

ng, just to sign the listing agreement. Mark insisted o

. One la

ent of our early dates. He was charming,

at me with those earnest eyes that used t

d if there was a sliver of hope. If the

nded a huge new client for Vanguard, a campaign I' d spe

en I s

r table, bathed in the war

er. Chloe playfully fed Mark a bite of

er than I' d se

glimmer of hope from our dinner

my gaze. Her

muttered. She saw

, Jess called me

said, a strange smil

set of keys o

this?"

use I can't stand the thought of you driving that old se

had an

I can

perior to a Model 3, don't you think? You've earned it, Sarah. Your campaign pitch

the cool metal a comfo

my eyes, but the

you,

she said. "Just

thing else, her expre

y badmouthing you to industry contacts. Vague stuff about 'creative differences,

ust for show. The b

my phone buzzed wi

th a generic "Baby Olsen"

lurched

Thought you should kno

e – a pang of something I couldn't name, the

n' t

"It was a prank. Chloe's idea. Just

y of it, the chil

message, my bl

didn't care.

ed his