I give them a small smile before turning my attention to Natasha. I’ve completely derailed this meeting with my lack of an engagement, and despite the concerned look she throws me, I know she’s anxious to reveal her big surprise.

“Well,” Natasha starts, her sharp blond bob swinging. “I know this is not how we expected this meeting to start, but we do need to get on with things. Let’s get through pitches before I give you all the big news.” Her voice is strident and commanding, and anyone who didn’t know her would find her urge to move on callous. But Natasha has known me since I started here as an intern my junior year of college, which means she has seen me through two previous breakups, and she knows what I need most in this situation is to get on with work as usual.

I manage a slight nod and then I zone out. There’s no way my brain can process pitches and new ideas from the team right now, so I sink down in my seat and let the presence of my work family have a calming effect on me.

Tessa kicks it off with her most recent list of reviews. She started around the same time I did and holds my dream position: writing about books and entertainment. If it were anyone else, I’d hate her and be plotting her demise, but Tessa is basically the nicest person I know. She’s unassumingly gorgeous, with bright red hair and freckled white skin and these amazing emerald-green eyes.

After Tessa and me, Rob has been with Always Take Fountain the longest. He’s our sportswriter, in his midthirties, Korean American, and as shy and stoic as he is hot. He and Tessa are my OTP, though I’d never tell either of them that because they might spontaneously combust from a combination of mortification and secret desire.

The first time Corey walked into the ATF office five years ago, I assumed she had been hired to make me feel bad about myself. She’s a stunning white woman, tall and blond with legs like Naomi Smalls. She’s also witty and smart and will absolutely cut a bitch. Despite our being near opposites, with her love for fashion and trendy social life, she quickly became one of my work besties.