Why won’t she look at me? Margo always acknowledges me, even if it’s with a simple head nod. This can’t be good. Holy fuck.

Any confidence built up by my friends slips right out of me.

No. I’m not going to do that. There could be plenty of reasons Margo doesn’t want to look at me. She probably doesn’t want to show favoritism. Or spoil the big reveal. I’ve got this promotion in the bag. I’ve been working my ass off—I’m talking unpaid overtime, weekends, and holidays—for the past six years, and it’s finally about to pay off.

The thought of not living paycheck to paycheck, something I’ll be able to do for the first time in my life with the raise accompanying my new job title, almost brings me to tears. But I sure as fuck am not going to blow this promotion by crying in the middle of the conference room.

So I paste on my easygoing-girl smile and clasp my hands together on the table.

The men in the room, a.k.a. the majority of the room, straighten up in their seats when we see our senior partner walking down the hallway. Bill Stevens reminds me of my grandfather, and I know how lucky I am to work with a manager who actually gives a shit about his employees and hasn’t ever once hit on me. Just the fact that I think of it as working with him and not for him puts him leagues ahead of every other boss I’ve ever had, and I’ve been working since I was fourteen. Bill is joined by a guy in his midthirties whom I’ve never seen before, dressed in an expensive tailored suit and a Yale School of Management tie. Gag.

Veronica pinches my elbow, but I don’t turn her way, my eyes glued to Bill as he takes his seat at the head of the table, gesturing for the newcomer to fill the seat on his right.

“Thank you all for coming.” Bill takes a minute to look around the room. “I know you’re all anxious for the big announcement, and I promise to not keep you in suspense. But before I make anything official, I want to say a few words about one of our rising stars, Ms. Sadie Green.”

Veronica pinches my elbow again, and out of the corner of my eye, I see Margo’s lips purse tightly together, like she’s trying to contain her glee. Or keep from vomiting. One or the other.