“Good morning! Did you see all those boxes in the empty office next door? I think we’re getting new neighbors really soon.”

Annika turned to face her best friend/partner in crime, who’d just walked in the front doors. The way she described June really just depended on the day. Annika took a deep breath and attempted a breezy tone that would conceal her roiling inner turmoil. “Hey! Yeah, I think they’re moving in—” She eyed the armload of shopping bags June was carrying. “Really? It’s barely past ten.”

June widened her blue eyes in what she probably thought was an innocent way. “Bloomingdale’s was having a sale. Besides, shopping helps me calm down. I needed it for our big meeting this morning.” She was dressed in her usual flamboyant work attire: six-inch-high, leopard-print Jimmy Choos and a hot pink, one-shoulder silk dress. Her blond hair was styled in an intricate crown braid, the kind Annika could never do without the help of thirteen hair stylists.

Annika glanced down at her own understated-yet-classy burgundy peplum top, tulip skirt, and patent vegan leather sling-backs, her heart sinking. They were so different; they presented completely incohesive images of the company. The bank manager was going to think they were two flaky young women who couldn’t get their shit together.

“You know,” June said, studying Annika’s expression. “We’re totally going to win over this McManor guy. I can be the wild, creative one and you’ll be the more controlled, sensible one. A little bit of yin and yang working together.” She stuffed her bags in the tiny supply closet and went to sit in her (leopard-print) office chair, which was two feet away from Annika’s. After sweeping a bunch of Star Wars–themed Funkos out of the way, she put her feet up and began tapping at her phone.

It didn’t surprise Annika that June had read her mind so well. A friendship that had survived college-roommate status took on certain magical powers. “Mm hmm.”

“What?” June looked up from her phone. “You don’t think so?”

Annika sank into her own ergonomic chair, tossed ZeeZee onto the desk, and put her head in her hands. “No, I really don’t, June. This is going to be a disaster. I can feel it. You know how strong my sixth sense is.”

“It’s not going to be a disaster!” Annika peeked at June from between her fingers as June continued speaking. “McManor’s going to see that we make a dynamic, forward-thinking team and that we have what it takes to get our little cash flow problem under control. And he’ll give you an extension on your loans. A big one. Everyone’s finances are a train wreck these days, not just yours.”