“She’ll come up with something fantastic. She always does.” It’s probably the closest Tessa has ever come to standing up to Natasha, and the gesture from my timid, people-pleasing friend soothes my battered and bruised heart.

“Do you have anything you’d like me to explore?” I can tell by the look on Natasha’s face that she knows exactly what she wants me to write. Already ten steps ahead, she’s just waiting for me to ask for it.

“I do, actually.” She sits up even straighter, smoothing the already wrinkle-free front of her chic gray blazer. “Are you sure you don’t want to meet with me alone?”

“I’m sure.” The words come out much more confident than I feel. Because I know that look in Natasha’s eyes. She’s got a plan. A plan I’m probably not going to like.

“I want you to write about being single.”

“Okay?” Other than laying out my heartbreak for the entire city of Los Angeles and the internet at large to see, that doesn’t sound so terrible. Definitely not the exact assignment I’d choose for myself, but writing about being single does bring me one small step away from the relationship beat. Maybe it’s a necessary first step.

“And about staying single.” She levels me with a piercing look. “Which means you would need to stay so.”

“Can she make you do that?” Corey mutters next to me.

“I’m not sure I get what you’re going for.” I keep my words even and level, doing my best not to show how much my insides are roiling. Not just at the thought of exposing myself—figuratively speaking—to our readers and the world, but also at the thought of being alone for any considerable length of time.

“You’ve developed a rapport with our readers and I think a more introspective project could be a real breakout hit for the site, not to mention how good it could be for you personally.” Natasha leans forward, blocking everyone else out of this conversation. “You know I care about you, Lana, and not just as an employee. I have watched you jump from mediocre boyfriend to mediocre boyfriend without ever taking a pause to ask yourself why someone as fabulous as you settles for mediocrity.”

“That’s true,” Corey chimes in, killing the illusion that this is a private conversation.

“Thanks?” I cross my arms over my chest and sink back in my chair. It’s really tempting to brush off Natasha’s words, and I might, if they weren’t an echo of May’s earlier declaration. But just because I like being in relationships doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with me. I just enjoy the comfort and security of having a steady boyfriend. I like having a support system and a place to go for every holiday. Is that such a bad thing?