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was our resident floater, who acted as administrative assistant, writer, copy editor, travel department, and whatever else the Js dreamed up. Rita was already a high-strung sort, and she looked ready to hyperventilate at any moment.
    I decided the best approach was a direct cut to the chase. “Okay, everyone can stop looking at me like I’m going to break for the window and jump.Yes, my engagement went to hell in a handbasket, but believe me when I say I dodged a bullet there. Besides, the longer you guys keep looking at me, the longer it will take to get this meeting done. And I have a date tonight.”Yep, after spending all that time making sure Steven knew this wasn’t a date, I invoked the “d” word for my own protection.
    Everyone’s face relaxed instantly.“Wow.”“Way to get backon the horse.” “Oh, we’re so glad.”The chorus of glad tidings followed me as I took the empty seat between Carey and Brandon. Smiling so hard my jaw ached, I sat down and powered on my laptop.
    “So what’s up, New Yorkers?” I asked.
    Jennifer nodded.“Let’s get started.We have a lot to cover.”
    Four hours later, I was wiped out but exhilarated. Gratefully, I snatched a turkey sandwich from the deli tray they were passing around. I had missed breakfast and we’d had no breaks in the meeting.
    The meeting was fast paced and information filled.Thanks to some savvy partnership agreements, Valiant Publications was about to expand in a major way. The influx of cash would mean updated Web design with server storage to match.All the fun ideas we had tossed around for the past three years to increase readership could actually get serious consideration.We were going to add staff, which meant all of us could quit wearing multiple hats and there would be more than three of us in the West Coast office.
    I was relieved. It looked like the gamble I took three years ago by accepting a job with Valiant instead of going to one of the more established publications was going to pay off.At least
something
in my life was working out the way I’d hoped. Okay, enough of that. I picked up my turkey on wheat with swiss and took a bite, tuning back in just in time for Jennifer to say, “So Lisa will be moving to San Francisco and she will share management of our West Coast operations with Christina.”
    I choked and reached for my water, taking a large swig. My eyes met Lisa’s across the table and she looked just as pleased as I was… not so much.
    The Js looked back and forth between the two of us. Janet asked,“Is that going to be a problem?”
    “Absolutely not,” I stated with as much ebullience as I could muster. I raised a brow at Lisa, daring her to say the same.
    “Well, if you all think that Christina can’t handle it alone, what with her emotional upheaval and all—of course I’m happy to bolster her up.”
    Jeri spoke before I could rise to the bait.“Christina hardly needs bolstering and you know it, Lisa.Truth is, we’re hoping to expand into TV down the line, so we have more than enough to keep both of you occupied for a while.You two will play nice, won’t you?”
    I smiled innocently.“I don’t know any other way to play.”
    “Great. So that’s settled,” Jennifer said. “Let’s go over content and advertising for the next few weeks.”
    One more hour later I was definitely fading. My energy was dipping below the reserve level when Janet called my name. “Christina, do you have your outline for the Halo Records article with you?”
    Clicking a few keys, I said, “Just sent it to you along with my research and interview schedule.”
    Brandon spoke up. “Look at you—I see you’re going to Yung T’s record launch party tomorrow night. That’s the hottest ticket in town. Gotta date? You know I’ll take one for the team if you need me to pinch-hit.” Yeah, Brandon had the tendency to come across condescending and a little icky from time to time.
    I rolled my eyes.“Depends on how tonight’s date