Eve Mason emerged from the subway station into the gray New York City daylight and marched the two blocks to the Seven Hundred Building. She took the elevator to the fifth floor, exiting directly in front of the offices of Buzz Magazine.
God, she hated Mondays.
"Let the stress begin," she said, pulling open the glass door.
The young receptionist reached over the front desk with several small pink papers in her hand. "Messages, Eve." She pushed the papers into Eve's hand. "And Mr. Jacoby wants to see you in his office ASAP."
Eve leaned into the reception desk and smiled. "I love your top, Kendra. Is that silk? Great color for you."
Kendra popped a bubble with her gum and folded her arms across her chest. "What do you want?"
The sausage biscuit Eve had eaten on the way to the subway sat in her stomach like a rock. "Why does he want to see me? Am I in trouble? Did I spell someone's name wrong in my column?" What had she screwed up now?
Kendra shrugged. "Dunno. But he does seem pissed about something. Course, that's his usual Monday morning mood. He knows you're here. I buzzed him when I saw you get off the elevator."
Eve's smile faded. Great. "I'm going."
She started down the hall toward the double doors all the way at the end. They loomed ahead of her like the gates of Hell. First the rent increase notice slipped under her door, now God knows what at the office. Blood pounded in her ears, and her mouth grew dry. Richard Jacoby, Editor-In-Chief of the magazine, rarely demanded a face-to-face meeting with any of his staff writers. He usually sent blistering emails to show his displeasure. Why her? She was only the editorial assistant for the Around the Town column.
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