“Get more heat lamps,” shouted one of the waiters.

Miranda smiled. “I like your enthusiasm. New Yorkers love to eat out but they won’t enjoy fine dining when they’re freezing to death. Unfortunately, the best-case scenario is we’ll be closed from Thanksgiving until mid-April.”

After a series of questions from the staff and Miranda’s firm commitment to keep Villa d’Luna open as long as possible, she moved on to the sad business of the day—who would stay and who would go.

“You are all like family to me. The reason I asked all of you to come today is that I didn’t want those who I have to cut to simply fade away without a send-off, without a proper goodbye. I wanted this to be a little going away party of sorts. Of course, once things go back to normal, I’d hire every single one of you back, if you’re still so inclined.”

Miranda pulled out a piece of paper and regretfully read the new staff list to the crowd. If you weren’t on the list, you were out. When she finished reading the names and gave a few of her employees an elbow bump instead of a hug, a few of the girls who had been cut began to cry.

Zoe looked at Sean. “Thank God,” he said through his mask with a sigh of relief. “We’re both safe. I don’t know what I would have done if she cut me. I’ve only got about $700 left in my bank account.”

“Conner and I would have been in deep trouble too. His income covers our home expenses but my paycheck is how we eat. We blew through all our savings fixing up the apartment. Anything that was left from my father went into our kitchen. Without this job, it would be a real struggle.” As the two friends congratulated each other on their good fortune, Zoe spied Juliet Pasternak on the other side of the crowd glaring at her.

“Don’t look,” whispered Zoe loud enough for Sean to hear. “Juliet’s over by the front door giving me a death stare.” Sean turned his head.

“Are you going to say something to her?” he said upon seeing Juliet’s scowl.

“I guess I should,” Zoe replied as she turned and walked over to Juliet standing six feet in front of her.

“Congratulations, looks like Princess Zoe still has her job,” hissed Juliet through her mask, her eyes narrowed.

“I’m really sorry,” said Zoe. “One of us was going to get cut.”

“Like you thought it was going to be you who got sacked,” said Juliet. “You’ve always sucked up to Miranda. I’m not surprised she chose you. You’re the only one here who doesn’t need this job.”

“What are you talking about?”

Juliet laughed with superiority. “Are you kidding? You own a freakin’ multi-million-dollar apartment on Central Park West.”