One day, during a meeting, a senior executive had jokingly suggested that if they really wanted to land a client they’d been pursuing for months, Zoe might consider combining business with some good old-fashioned pillow talk.

Hannah had stood up before she’d even realized it and glared at the guy, her heart pounding.

‘Is that something you consider part of your own repertoire?’ she’d challenged, before she could stop herself.

To his credit, the executive’s face had turned beet-red and he’d looked properly ashamed. And after stammering out an apology, he’d proclaimed the meeting adjourned.

As Hannah was leaving the office that evening, Zoe had caught up with her at the elevator.

‘You know, you didn’t have to do that.’

She’d shrugged. ‘I know.’

‘Why did you then?’

‘We’re the only two women here – if we don’t have each other’s backs, who will?’

Zoe had stared at her. ‘You really believe that?’

‘Why wouldn’t I?’

‘I don’t know where you’ve been, but in my world, people aren’t out there helping each other. They’re all just doing whatever it takes to get ahead, and if that means stepping on someone else regardless of gender, that’s just the price of entry.’

‘Well, then you need to get out of that world,’ Hannah had advised her, ‘and spend a bitta time in mine.’

That had been the beginning of a wonderful friendship, and it was the only regret Hannah had about leaving LA. Zoe was currently visiting her parents in Canada, and while Hannah secretly hoped she might stop over for a visit on her way back, Zoe’s hatred of New York was legendary.

‘It was … good,’ she said, answering her friend’s query about her first day. ‘Though they’re already pawning me off with the lost causes.’

Hannah had no illusions that she’d waltz straight into the New York office and get handed prime accounts. Instead, she’d have to earn her chops by handling some of the company’s newer or lower-priority clients.

‘That won’t last once they figure out what a prize you are. For example, there aren’t many people I know who could charm a millionairess into letting you crash at her brand-new pad.’

‘It wasn’t like that and you know it. But it’s been such a godsend all the same. I don’t know how I can ever repay her.’

‘So what’s the place like? I hope Courtney hasn’t turned it into a grown-up Barbie Funhouse.’

‘Dreamhouse, you mean. And nope, very tasteful – incredible actually, like something from a movie. And if you come and visit you can see for yourself.’

‘If I ever make it out of here alive, you mean. Honestly, I love my folks, but being back in this town is like being in a different century.’